Children’s Cabinet expands therapy and assistance for families with young children impacted by the opioid crisis
Reno, NV (October 30, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded The Children’s Cabinet $750,000 to expand its family counseling and case management programs to assist local families with young children whom have been affected by, or are at risk of being affected by, opioid abuse.
While family counseling and case management are cornerstone programs of The Children’s Cabinet, therapy services have been limited to families with children age 6 and older. The three-year grant will expand counseling and resources for families with young children from birth to age 6 years old. The grant focuses specifically on families impacted by the opioid crisis in Washoe County.
“Family-focused treatment and support must be an integral part of our strategy to combat the opioid epidemic in Northern Nevada,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The Children’s Cabinet is a key partner in this effort, providing free counseling and case management services to families in crisis. This critical investment will allow The Children’s Cabinet to expand its services and continue its 33-year commitment to helping children and families cope with tragedy.”
The Children’s Cabinet’s expanded services will provide families affected by the opioid crisis with a comprehensive intake, an individualized care plan, access to in-house counseling, and referrals to external programs. Staff working with families in this program will provide developmentally appropriate information, support, and services.
“This grant is an important step to provide families with young children streamlined access to services and support related to substance abuse,” adds Kim Young, interim executive director of the Children’s Cabinet. “Our team of therapists and case managers, with the help of our partners throughout the community, is committed to providing information and resources to help reduce dangerous or abusive situations for families in our community.”
The grant, through collaborative efforts with new and existing Children’s Cabinet community partners in northern Nevada, will also develop and offer targeted training for the Washoe County School District, local hospitals, local child care centers, and other key organizations to address the needs of families with young children affected by the opioid crisis. This coordinated partnership includes the Washoe County School District, Washoe County Human Services Agency, the State of Nevada, local hospitals, child care centers and child care professionals.
Nevada faces a gradually increasing number of heroin-related deaths and a rate of opioid prescriptions that is trending above the national average. State child welfare records indicate that substance abuse is one of the top two problems exhibited by families in 81% of reported cases (Prevent Child Abuse America 2017).
###
About The Children’s Cabinet
The Children’s Cabinet is a Nevada nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping children safe and families together. Since 1985, The Children’s Cabinet has collaborated with public partners and community leaders to identify gaps in service and to meet the needs of a wide-ranging age group—from small children to young adults. Services include child care resources, parenting classes, education and work experience programs, outreach to runaway, homeless, and foster youth, and family counseling. With the help of donations and other community support, The Children’s Cabinet is able to provide its many programs and services at no charge. For more information about Children’s Cabinet, please visit www.childrenscabinet.org or call 775-856-6200. Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/childrenscabinet and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ChldrnsCabnt.
