Local News in Brief : Senate OKs Plan for Child Crisis Center
The state Senate late Wednesday gave final legislative approval to a bill to allow Ventura County to purchase or lease 22.8 acres at Camarillo State Hospital for a privately operated children’s crisis center.
The measure, approved by a 38-0 margin, now goes to Gov. George Deukmejian.
The bill was carried by Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia) at the request of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The board has expressed concern over the increase in abused children in the county and over the limited facilities to care for them.
Davis’ measure would allow the county to acquire the land, then sublease it to Youth Connection, a private, nonprofit group. Youth Connection has agreed to raise $3 million to $4 million to build a home for 70 to 85 abused, neglected and abandoned children.
The group expects to raise the money within three years and pattern the facility after one in Orange County.
Now, without a center in Ventura County to care for the children, they are sent to foster homes.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
