Las Vegas - Feds threaten MONEY!

http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5291043
LAS VEGAS Colleen McCarty, I-Team Reporter Aug 17, 2006 03:52 PM
CDT

Federal Agency Delivers Scathing Letter to Child Haven

Late Wednesday, the I-Team's Colleen McCarty obtained a letter
outlining a scathing review from the federal government after its
recent visit to Child Haven, Clark County's emergency shelter for
children.

Roughly a month ago, representatives with the Administration for
Children and Families, a federal agency, toured Child Haven prompted by
its ongoing monitoring of the Child Protective Services system in Clark
County.

Monday it sent a letter to the state outlining its concerns.

It found the situation in Clark County, quote, a "grave concern to the
state" and threatened federal funding if the situation doesn't improve.


During the recent onsite visit, representatives found that state's plan
to improve the program is no longer sufficient. Those conditions have
worsened since the state's review in 2004.

The review describes Child Haven as chronically overcrowded.

ACF administrator Sharon Fuji writes, "Clark County DFS policy
specifies that children are not to be in the shelter longer than two
weeks. We were advised on site that the current average length of stay
is 45 days."

It continues, quote, "One child with whom we met has been in Child
Haven for over two years."

The letter goes on to say the county has inadequate services to support
children remaining at home. And too often kids were removed -- who may
not need to be -- because no one was available after-hours to assess
their safety.

The state has until the end of this month to respond.


Letter from Federal Administration for Children and Families a part of
US DHHS
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview1.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview2.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview3.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview4.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview5.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview6.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview7.html


http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5294869
LAS VEGAS Tom Ellingson, Reporter Aug 17, 2006 04:43 PM CDT
Foster Care Meet Tackles Overcrowding in Shelters

For months the problems at Child Haven have mounted.

A child in the shelter's care died this week. Additionally the shelter
for abused and neglected children is so overcrowded where kids have had
to sleep in the gym.

Thursday morning, foster parents, and county officials are talking
about ways to solve the overcrowding. It's a biannual roundtable called
the Foster Care Task Force, made up of foster parents, former foster
children and county and state child welfare employees.

Thursday's event was attended by around 40 people, all who brought
ideas to the table regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the system
and what needs to be changed for the future.

Some of the ideas talked about included better training for foster
parents, placement issues for foster children, prevention methods on
how to better help families before their kids end up in a foster care
system.

Two days ago Eyewitness News reported about a 17-month-old boy who died
at Child Haven. Organizers say this meeting was already planned before
the boy's tragic death.

But the topic was brought up in safety issues were discussed. Another
hot topic at the roundtable centered on what the public can do to help
the child welfare system.

The task force will meet again in the next six months. As for the
unfortunate death at Child Haven it's being investigated by Metro.



http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5290719
Carol Wilkinson, Reporter
Baby Dies at Child Haven

Aug 16, 2006 08:35 PM CDT


Metro Captain Terry Lesney said, "At this point, we have no reason to
believe it was suspicious in nature. But that's why we're
investigating."


Tom Morton, new chief of Clark County Department of Family Services

Metro's Abuse and Neglect are investigating another death connected to
Clark County's Department of Family Services.

A baby boy was found unresponsive in his crib Tuesday afternoon and
efforts to revive him failed.

From the outside, appearances at the entrance to Child Haven give no
indication that a child has died. But at about 2 p.m., staff workers
noticed a 15-month-old boy not breathing, as he lay in his crib.

Staff members tried to resuscitate the child, but could not re-start
his pulse.

Metro Captain Terry Lesney, with Metro's Abuse and Neglect division is
part of the police investigation into the boy's death. She says the
toddler had lived at Child Haven since June 29th when a family member
could no longer raise him turned him over to authorities.

At this point, police say the cause of the boy's death is still a
mystery.

Capt. Lesney said, "At this point, we have no reason to believe it was
suspicious in nature. But that's why we're investigating."

Police say the child, whose name is being withheld, developed an ear
infection while living at Child Haven and began receiving antibiotics
for the condition about two weeks ago.

Police also say it is too soon to tell if the infection, or its
treatment, played any part in the boy's death.

Capt. Lesney continued, "The child appeared healthy, but at this point
we have no other medical history on the child."

A spokesperson for the Clark County Department of Family Services
declined an on-camera interview, but the director released this
statement, saying, "This is a sad and tragic day and has had a
tremendous impact on the child's family and the staff of Family
Services. A child's loss of life is devastating to all of us at Clark
County and our community."

"The staff is taking it difficult, very difficult," Captain Lesney
added.

Meanwhile, police describe the mood beyond Child Haven's walls as
"somber, very somber," especially among the staffers, who tried, but
failed to save a young life.

An autopsy on the toddler is scheduled Wednesday.

Metro Police and DFS are conducting separate investigations into the
boy's death.




http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5286126

Alyson McCarthy, Reporter
More Known About Baby Who Died at Child Haven

Aug 16, 2006 07:46 PM CDT


Captain Terry Lesney said Wednesday, "It appeared he was going in and
out of consciousness, so they called the paramedics."


There's new information today about the baby boy who died at Child
Haven, the third death this year of a child under the care of Clark
County's Family Services.

Metro Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the
death of 17-month-old Joshua Sharp.

The official cause of little Joshua's death will remain unknown until
the autopsy results are finalized in a few weeks. But that is learned
about the short life of this child, the more tragic this story becomes.


The call for help came Tuesday afternoon from a Child Haven staff
member. A 17-month-old boy was found unresponsive in his crib.

Captain Terry Lesney, with Metro's Abuse and Neglect, said, "It
appeared he was going in and out of consciousness, so they called the
paramedics. He had a slight pulse but died in transport and upon
arrival the child was declared deceased."

What police do know is that the child had been voluntarily turned over
to child haven by his maternal grandmother who said she was no longer
able to care for him.

"At this point, there is no reason to believe it was suspicious. But
that's why we are investigating," Capt. Lesney continued.


Police say the baby had been at Child Haven since June 29th.

Investigators also say that Joshua's mother and father are a local
homeless couple.

Capt. Lesney said, "They felt the child would be better off in a safe
environment."


Police say the couple even visited their son at Child Haven on a
regular basis.

It is unknown whether Joshua's health was fragile when he arrived at
Child Haven. But investigators say he had been treated at least once at
a local hospital while still in the care of his family for a high fever
and dehydration.

The child had also been given antibiotics recently for an ear
infection.

Investigators saying they're now interviewing the distraught staff
members at Child Haven who were involved in Joshua's care.

"There are strict rules here at Child Haven for how many supervisors
there need to be, how many children, how often they are checked and
we'll be investigating all of those policies and procedures to make
sure everything was followed," Captain Terry Lesney explained.

Metro says those staff interviews, Joshua's available medical history,
and the autopsy results will all help police determine what caused the
child's death and whether it could have been prevented.

Send feedback to reporter Alyson McCarthy at

Clark County commissioners called for more openness when it comes to
the release of child death records.

During an impromptu discussion at Wednesday's commission meeting,
Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald asked for a resolution in support
of legislative efforts to open child death records.

A bill is currently being drafted to broaden the release of information
when a child dies from abuse or neglect.

Commissioners voted to discuss a resolution at a future meeting.

Greegor wrote:

....good heaven's Greg, YOU whoring for CPS dollars?

Could a more obvious need be seen?

Every point made points to funding shortfalls.

Tsk, Greg, what will your cohort think of you now.

0:-

http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5291043
LAS VEGAS Colleen McCarty, I-Team Reporter Aug 17, 2006 03:52 PM
CDT

Federal Agency Delivers Scathing Letter to Child Haven

Late Wednesday, the I-Team's Colleen McCarty obtained a letter
outlining a scathing review from the federal government after its
recent visit to Child Haven, Clark County's emergency shelter for
children.

Roughly a month ago, representatives with the Administration for
Children and Families, a federal agency, toured Child Haven prompted by
its ongoing monitoring of the Child Protective Services system in Clark
County.

Monday it sent a letter to the state outlining its concerns.

It found the situation in Clark County, quote, a "grave concern to the
state" and threatened federal funding if the situation doesn't improve.


During the recent onsite visit, representatives found that state's plan
to improve the program is no longer sufficient. Those conditions have
worsened since the state's review in 2004.

The review describes Child Haven as chronically overcrowded.

ACF administrator Sharon Fuji writes, "Clark County DFS policy
specifies that children are not to be in the shelter longer than two
weeks. We were advised on site that the current average length of stay
is 45 days."

It continues, quote, "One child with whom we met has been in Child
Haven for over two years."

The letter goes on to say the county has inadequate services to support
children remaining at home. And too often kids were removed -- who may
not need to be -- because no one was available after-hours to assess
their safety.

The state has until the end of this month to respond.


Letter from Federal Administration for Children and Families a part of
US DHHS
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview1.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview2.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview3.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview4.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview5.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview6.html
http://news.eyewitnessnews8.com/DFS/...esReview7.html


http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5294869
LAS VEGAS Tom Ellingson, Reporter Aug 17, 2006 04:43 PM CDT
Foster Care Meet Tackles Overcrowding in Shelters

For months the problems at Child Haven have mounted.

A child in the shelter's care died this week. Additionally the shelter
for abused and neglected children is so overcrowded where kids have had
to sleep in the gym.

Thursday morning, foster parents, and county officials are talking
about ways to solve the overcrowding. It's a biannual roundtable called
the Foster Care Task Force, made up of foster parents, former foster
children and county and state child welfare employees.

Thursday's event was attended by around 40 people, all who brought
ideas to the table regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the system
and what needs to be changed for the future.

Some of the ideas talked about included better training for foster
parents, placement issues for foster children, prevention methods on
how to better help families before their kids end up in a foster care
system.

Two days ago Eyewitness News reported about a 17-month-old boy who died
at Child Haven. Organizers say this meeting was already planned before
the boy's tragic death.

But the topic was brought up in safety issues were discussed. Another
hot topic at the roundtable centered on what the public can do to help
the child welfare system.

The task force will meet again in the next six months. As for the
unfortunate death at Child Haven it's being investigated by Metro.



http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5290719
Carol Wilkinson, Reporter
Baby Dies at Child Haven

Aug 16, 2006 08:35 PM CDT


Metro Captain Terry Lesney said, "At this point, we have no reason to
believe it was suspicious in nature. But that's why we're
investigating."


Tom Morton, new chief of Clark County Department of Family Services

Metro's Abuse and Neglect are investigating another death connected to
Clark County's Department of Family Services.

A baby boy was found unresponsive in his crib Tuesday afternoon and
efforts to revive him failed.

From the outside, appearances at the entrance to Child Haven give no
indication that a child has died. But at about 2 p.m., staff workers
noticed a 15-month-old boy not breathing, as he lay in his crib.

Staff members tried to resuscitate the child, but could not re-start
his pulse.

Metro Captain Terry Lesney, with Metro's Abuse and Neglect division is
part of the police investigation into the boy's death. She says the
toddler had lived at Child Haven since June 29th when a family member
could no longer raise him turned him over to authorities.

At this point, police say the cause of the boy's death is still a
mystery.

Capt. Lesney said, "At this point, we have no reason to believe it was
suspicious in nature. But that's why we're investigating."

Police say the child, whose name is being withheld, developed an ear
infection while living at Child Haven and began receiving antibiotics
for the condition about two weeks ago.

Police also say it is too soon to tell if the infection, or its
treatment, played any part in the boy's death.

Capt. Lesney continued, "The child appeared healthy, but at this point
we have no other medical history on the child."

A spokesperson for the Clark County Department of Family Services
declined an on-camera interview, but the director released this
statement, saying, "This is a sad and tragic day and has had a
tremendous impact on the child's family and the staff of Family
Services. A child's loss of life is devastating to all of us at Clark
County and our community."

"The staff is taking it difficult, very difficult," Captain Lesney
added.

Meanwhile, police describe the mood beyond Child Haven's walls as
"somber, very somber," especially among the staffers, who tried, but
failed to save a young life.

An autopsy on the toddler is scheduled Wednesday.

Metro Police and DFS are conducting separate investigations into the
boy's death.




http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5286126

Alyson McCarthy, Reporter
More Known About Baby Who Died at Child Haven

Aug 16, 2006 07:46 PM CDT


Captain Terry Lesney said Wednesday, "It appeared he was going in and
out of consciousness, so they called the paramedics."


There's new information today about the baby boy who died at Child
Haven, the third death this year of a child under the care of Clark
County's Family Services.

Metro Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the
death of 17-month-old Joshua Sharp.

The official cause of little Joshua's death will remain unknown until
the autopsy results are finalized in a few weeks. But that is learned
about the short life of this child, the more tragic this story becomes.


The call for help came Tuesday afternoon from a Child Haven staff
member. A 17-month-old boy was found unresponsive in his crib.

Captain Terry Lesney, with Metro's Abuse and Neglect, said, "It
appeared he was going in and out of consciousness, so they called the
paramedics. He had a slight pulse but died in transport and upon
arrival the child was declared deceased."

What police do know is that the child had been voluntarily turned over
to child haven by his maternal grandmother who said she was no longer
able to care for him.

"At this point, there is no reason to believe it was suspicious. But
that's why we are investigating," Capt. Lesney continued.


Police say the baby had been at Child Haven since June 29th.

Investigators also say that Joshua's mother and father are a local
homeless couple.

Capt. Lesney said, "They felt the child would be better off in a safe
environment."


Police say the couple even visited their son at Child Haven on a
regular basis.

It is unknown whether Joshua's health was fragile when he arrived at
Child Haven. But investigators say he had been treated at least once at
a local hospital while still in the care of his family for a high fever
and dehydration.

The child had also been given antibiotics recently for an ear
infection.

Investigators saying they're now interviewing the distraught staff
members at Child Haven who were involved in Joshua's care.

"There are strict rules here at Child Haven for how many supervisors
there need to be, how many children, how often they are checked and
we'll be investigating all of those policies and procedures to make
sure everything was followed," Captain Terry Lesney explained.

Metro says those staff interviews, Joshua's available medical history,
and the autopsy results will all help police determine what caused the
child's death and whether it could have been prevented.

Send feedback to reporter Alyson McCarthy at

Clark County commissioners called for more openness when it comes to
the release of child death records.

During an impromptu discussion at Wednesday's commission meeting,
Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald asked for a resolution in support
of legislative efforts to open child death records.

A bill is currently being drafted to broaden the release of information
when a child dies from abuse or neglect.

Commissioners voted to discuss a resolution at a future meeting.



--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

I especially liked the part where the ACS threatens to
cut off the flow of Federal Dollars.
If anybody wants those JPEGS of the ACS letter just ask.