City asked to help keep hospital's at-risk youth program going

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Services is asking Carson City to help keep in operation a mental-health and drug-treatment program for youth.

During their Thursday meeting, city supervisors will consider providing the hospital with up to $55,000 to continue providing the service, which treats nearly 750 youths as outpatients through the hospital's Behavioral Health Services.

"There's no doubt in my mind it's a vital program because it serves adolescents," said Mayor Marv Teixeira.

He said the news last month that the hospital's entire behavioral program was slated to end prompted a slew of calls to city officials, specifically about the loss of the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, one of eight programs within the hospital's Behavioral Health Services group.

Along with the community, "the city was a little bit surprised when it was announced some of these services were going to the terminated," said Supervisor Shelly Aldean.

If the funding is approved, the money would serve as a "stop-gap measure to continue providing the service short term," she said.

Supervisors could opt to provide only enough money for six months of operation, Aldean said. The hospital already has pledged to keep the service running at least until Dec. 31.

City officials will look at ways to provide that type of service to families. Many of the at-risk youths requiring the service are from families that can't afford the service. And families with higher incomes run into financial trouble because "insurance doesn't always make up the difference," said Linda Ritter, city manager.

One alternative, Ritter said, would be to add a mental-health component to the Community Counseling Center, which provides services to youths with substance-abuse problems.

Carson City School District also has been asked to provide funds. The hospital will also seek help from a variety of "public, private and charitable groups," said Diane Rush, the hospital's marketing coordinator.

She said $122,000 is being sought from various sources to keep the operation going for another year.

The hospital became a private nonprofit operation in 2002, and moved to its north Carson campus in 2005. It has had financial shortfalls this year, according to previous reports.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.

CALL: 887-2100