SE Vegas News

Clark County Commissioners have approved spending a significant amount of money to better serve children in the custody of the county's Department of Family Services who are in need of long-term inpatient mental health services.

Commissioners unanimously approved a contract valued at up to $1.9 million with Silver State Pediatric Behavioral Services, according to the Clark County website.

"Today there are children in foster homes at at Child Haven who need more intensive supervision and care," said Commission Chairman Jim Gibson, according to the Clark County website. "Being able to provide these children with a program designed to deal with their behavioral and mental health conditions in an inpatient setting is necessary and provides for the appropriate level of care. We need to make sure the children in our care are getting the help they need and deserve."

The 7-0 vote to accept the new contract took place on April 19. The Clark County website says that county leaders were doing their best to help address the mental health crisis in the community.

The county's contract with Silver State Pediatric Behavioral Services runs through June 30 with the option to extended it an additional year. 

Under the contract, Silver State would provide up to six beds for inpatient to children in the county's custody who are developmentally delayed, diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder or have autism spectrum disorder.