Latest Tweets
Blog
Blog
National Commission on Children and Disasters Approves Final Report
During the last two years I’ve had the privilege of serving as one of ten members of the National Commission on Children and Disasters. We have worked with hundreds of experts from federal, state and local agencies involved in disaster planning. In October, we will present President Obama and Congress with our final report which features more than 100 recommendations to improve our country’s response to the needs of children during a disaster.
Mark Shriver, the Commission’s Chair, recently proclaimed: “When we have another disaster, we won’t be able to take care of our kids. Political leadership often says children are our most valuable resource, but the lack of investment in children tells a different story.” He noted that limited improvements in areas such as pediatric medical care, disaster mental health research and emergency preparedness can be attributed partly to “benign neglect.” Chairman Shriver said, “Nobody has malicious intention, but they are not focused on children’s needs.”
Read more: National Commission on Children and Disasters Approves Final Report
Priorities for Employment of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Issues Priorities
The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD) has completed its Employment Policy Summits 2010 and issued its priorities for employment and independence through “informed choice”.
Three regional Summits were held to encourage systemic change through the identification of barriers to employment for people with developmental disabilities. Over 200 community members attended the summits and developed outcome expectations and collaborative partnerships using the Nevada Hybrid Model.
The Outcome Statements for Northern Nevada are:
1. Review, define and revise funding to support employment options for people with disabilities.
2. Engage individuals with disabilities in career development experiences at a younger age.
3. Involve Stakeholders in the improvement of interagency collaboration and communication.
4. Develop and implement a “single point of entry” system or “one stop” system for employment for people with disabilities.
5. Develop and implement a seamless statewide employment process.
6. Develop and implement statewide employer education.
7. Identify and match employer needs with consumer skill sets.
The work done by the participants at the Summit will guide regional and statewide planning efforts in the years ahead. For more information, contact Sherry Manning, Executive Director, at 687-7515 or visit their website at www.nevadaddcouncil.org.
Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
During the interim between regular Legislative sessions, there is still a lot of work to be done. The Legislature usually assigns special committees to conduct interim studies and develop potential legislation for consideration in the next regular session. Then there are statutory committees that always meet during the interim to hold more intensive hearings on topics of special interest and also develop future bills.
This Interim, I am chairing the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Committee, a statutory committee approved in the 2009 session. This Committee is an outgrowth of the work of previous interim committees tasked with studying different aspects of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems led by legislative leaders including the late Assemblywoman Jan Evans, Speaker Barbara Buckley, and Senator Ray Rawson. I am very honored to follow in their footsteps.
Welcome to my Website!
By Sheila Leslie
To my fellow Nevadans,
Welcome to my new website and thank you for visiting! This website it the best place to stay informed on my race for Nevada State Senate, District 1. I encourage you to browse the website to learn more about me and where I stand on the issues that are most important to you and your family.
Since getting elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1998, I have worked hard to represent my constituents and fight on behalf of Nevada’s citizens who are most in need. If elected to the Nevada State Senate, I promise to continue being a voice for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. I pledge that if I get elected to the State Senate in November, I will continue to serve you with distinction.