Las Vegas NowNevada lawmakers take steps to expand mental health facilities
Associated Press - April 16, 2009 6:45 PM ET
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada lawmakers were told Thursday the state needs to upgrade and expand its mental health facilities to ensure that they are safe and that federal funds aren't jeopardized.
State Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services officials told a Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee that buildings in the Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services complex in Sparks are falling apart.
The division administrator, Harold Cook, adds that many of the buildings have toxic agents such as asbestos in the walls.
The division has proposed demolishing seven buildings and constructing one facility that would consolidate outpatient and administrative services under one roof at a cost of $56 million.
Chris Chimits, deputy manager for the state Public Works Board, said the project would save the state money in the long run, because the older buildings are more expensive to operate.
The division also requested to build a new 36-bed facility in Las Vegas to serve children and adolescents.
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