Austin's House still open

The state budget crisis has trickled down to Austin's House with fewer placements for children in need, but staff members want the community to know that the two-year-old residential center is still open for business.

"The most important thing for people to realize is that we are continuously placing children," said Kathleen Miller, house director.

"Our overall placement rate has declined but we are still open. We are providing placement for children with literally no place else to go," Miller said.

More than 70 children have been placed temporarily at Austin's House since it opened in 2007.

"We believe that the state budget crisis has caused the Department of Children and Families to place more children in other lower cost placement options such as with relatives or acquaintances, and in family foster care," she said.

Placement with a relative or in family foster care is always the first choice, Miller said.

She said the state sets the rate and Austin's House serves children taken into custody by the state or Washoe Tribal Social Services.

Austin's House is set up to accommodate 10 children up to the age of 18.

"We're seeing a lot of teens," Miller said. "It's not surprising to me with the current economic environment. It adds stress to families. Raising a teenager can be challenging anyway."

She said Austin's House has reduced staffing and cut food expenditures by just over 50 percent by asking for donations of specific items used frequently.

The facility also is collaborating with the Foster Kids Closet in Carson City.

"If we receive a very large amount of clothing donations, we will donate some items to the Foster Kids Closet," she said. "We know that we can always turn to them for help when we need something specific for a child."

Miller said Austin's House is more expensive than family foster care because it is staffed to accept placements and care for children 24 hours a day.

"We also have the caregivers to give each child a great deal of individualized attention whether we have one child or 10," Miller said.

Miller said if placements don't increase, the board of directors will be identifying other needed services for children and teens.

"We are also increasing our fundraising efforts," she said. "We would like to reduce our dependence on the state, and we would love it if every child could always be placed in the most appropriate placement, regardless of cost."

"Austin's house is a great place. I felt safe and respected by everyone," 15-year-old.

"I'll miss you guys," 9-year-old.

YOU CAN HELP

Anyone who wishes to donate to Austin's House may send contributions to Austin's House, PO Box 784, Minden, NV 89423. Information: 267-6711; info@austinshouse.org.

ON THE WEB

www.austinshouse.org