Human services faces cuts under proposed budget

Highlights of the $755.5 million proposed budget for human services over the next two years:

-TOTAL PERCENTAGE: The proposed budget cuts the allocation for human services overall to 24 percent of the total state spending from 27 percent currently.

-FAMILY TO FAMILY: Reduces funding to $5 million from $8 million for a program providing parenting education and other assistance to young families, started by Gov. Kenny Guinn's predecessor.

-NEVADA CHECKUP: Reduces the expected enrollment in a program providing low-cost health insurance to poor families.

-MENTAL HEALTH: Increases spending in the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation by 14 percent, from $130 million to $150 million. Proposed construction of a new mental health hospital in Sparks, at a cost of $10 million, put on hold until 2001.

-CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES: Increases spending 4 percent, from $26 million to $27 million. This includes $4 million for a new juvenile lockup. The Department of Child and Family Services oversees juvenile justice programs, child care services and youth community services.

-WELFARE: Increases funding 3 percent, to $114 million from $110 million, for programs like welfare to work, assistance to the aged and blind and employment training.

-HEALTH: Increases funding for the Health Division by 4 percent, from $26 million to $27 million, for programs like children's clinics, health aid to counties, immunization programs and emergency medical services.

-OTHER: Marginally increases budgets for divisions including elderly services and health care financing and policy.

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