State names head of child and family services

Diane Comeaux, chief financial officer for the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, has been named administrator of the state Division of Child and Family Services.

Comeaux will earn $102,067 a year to run the division, which provides child protective and welfare services throughout rural Nevada and oversees those operations in Clark and Washoe counties. It is also responsible for juvenile mental health and juvenile justice services statewide.

She has worked for the state more than 20 years. In her position at health care financing and policy, she was responsible for managing the division's $1.5 billion annual budget.

DCFS employs more than 1,000 people and has an annual budget of $250 million.

Health and Human Resources Director Mike Willden said her strong accounting and business background as well as the responsibilities she has had during her tenure have prepared Comeaux for the job.

"She will do an outstanding job of providing children in need with the protections the state is responsible for providing," he said in a prepared statement.

She officially takes over the position June 2, replacing Fernando Serrano, who resigned.