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County seeking best bang for grant bucks

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify recent comments and articles regarding Clark County’s “outside agency grant” and the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

At one time there was $6 million in grant funds, but with budget cuts affecting all areas, now there is approximately $3 million for agencies involved with adoptions, foster care and other needy areas. And we always receive more requests than we can possibly fulfill.

Requests are reviewed and evaluated and submitted to the county commissioners for approval. On Jan. 17, the commissioners approved grant funding for several agencies, including $214,217 for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

Then, at the request of a commissioner, county staff conducted an audit of the charity’s funds for the 2010-11 fiscal year. Apparently, the audit revealed that while no money was missing, there were concerns raised with several accounting processes.

A week later, I was working with city and county staff on a $50,000 justice assistance grant. Since there are no longer year-round schools, there has been an increase in juvenile crime, and this grant funds programs to keep youth out of trouble and off the streets.

We found that we could do job skill training, leadership training, community service programs and more with the youth. However, we could not pay for more than one day of free swimming at the nearby pools for the youth who might otherwise be on the streets — in these tough economic times, parents have been unable to pay for summer swim programs.

I believe recreational activities are a key component of any successful effort to keep youth engaged in positive activities during the summer. I knew we needed to do more so I asked staff to see what was needed to do both the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and justice assistance grant-supported programs. I was informed that we could benefit more than 10,000 children with approximately $100,000.

In examining the charity’s situation, I found that the county’s purchase of the charity’s William Fry Drop in Center in 2010 freed up approximately $120,000 in rent, utility and insurance costs (according to the budget they submitted).

However, the budget submitted was identical to the budget they presented the year before — no new goals, no documentation of whether the goals had been met, same number of youth. That’s why I have asked the chair of the charity’s board to review their grant request. I am looking for accountability while making sure the kids are still being served. I look forward to receiving a revised budget and request from the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.

As a commissioner, I have a responsibility to make sure that taxpayer dollars are used properly and accounted for, and always look to get the best bang for the buck.

The county has been instrumental and some might say generous in our funding for the charity over the years. The partnership does good work, but as with any organization it can and must do better. The charity’s board has to give better guidance and oversight on what they expect from their directors and staff, and we need to do regular audits.

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth agenda item is simply an opportunity to discuss possibly using some of the money originally set aside for the charity to help more than 10,000 of our neediest kids stay off the streets this summer. This would be a win for everyone in the community, not just one organization.

Chris Giunchigliani

Las Vegas

The writer, a Democrat, represents District E on the Clark County Commission.

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