Feds double adoption grant to state

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has doubled its adoption program grant to Nevada's Division of Child and Family Services as a reward for increasing the number of children adopted from foster care.

Where last year's award was less than $500,000, this year's total is $995,455 based on 652 finalized adoptions statewide.

DCFS Administrator Diane Comeaux said the money will help finalize adoptions of older youths and the medically fragile.

Under the federal rules, states get $4,000 for every child adopted over and above their best year's total, plus $8,000 for every child aged 9 and older and $4,000 for every special-needs child adopted.

She attributed the increase to partnerships with the Clark County Department of Family Services, family court, the children's attorney project and the Clark County District Attorney's Office.