[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 205 (Monday, December 8, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHILDREN'S CABINET

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a 
significant milestone for The Children's Cabinet, a nonprofit 
organization that has protected the safety and well-being of countless 
children in Nevada for the last 40 years. Founded in Reno, The 
Children's Cabinet has since grown to provide community-based support 
across all corners of the State to ensure children and families have 
the resources they need to succeed and thrive. I have appreciated our 
strong partnership over the years to improve the lives of Nevada 
families.
  Intending to create a high-level ``cabinet'' of community leaders 
across Washoe County, Nevada businessman Michael Dermody brought 
together a diverse group of public officials and business professionals 
to create The Children's Cabinet in 1985. Together, that group worked 
to lay the foundation for an organization now serving over 15,000 
families each year across southern and northern Nevada.
  A key factor in The Children's Cabinet's success is their unique 
structure built on numerous public-private partnerships across the 
State. Today's partners range from State and local government entities 
to academic institutions, charities, and private nonprofit 
organizations. These collaborative efforts aid The Children's Cabinet 
in identifying the most pressing issues facing Nevada's children and 
families and swiftly developing programs to address a wide range of 
challenges over the years.
  The Children's Cabinet serves as an incredible resource to our 
community as their programming features everything from parenting 
classes, childcare subsidy assistance and referrals, an on-site food 
pantry, an alternative high school, free family counseling, legal case 
management, workforce development, and crisis intervention. Their 
programs touch the full spectrum of economic, social, and educational 
needs and are available to children and families at no cost.
  The Children's Cabinet also offers Safe Place, a 24/7 service for 
youth experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, mental health crises, 
and other unsafe situations. Safe Place staff connect vulnerable youth 
to resources they need, including counseling, temporary shelter, and 
case management services. The Children's Cabinet also provides tools 
for adults so they can identify and help youth struggling with 
depression, addiction, and crises. These supports are critical when 
families too often face obstacles in accessing mental health care.
  In addition to providing direct support to children and families, the 
organization's many programs also assist child care providers and 
employers across the State in ensuring they can offer the services and 
flexibilities that allow parents and caregivers to be there for their 
children--and those programs have continued to grow. Earlier this year, 
The Children's Cabinet launched the Pathways to Program Success 
initiative to equip Nevada's childcare providers with guidance to build 
sustainable childcare programs with a strong workforce of early 
childhood educators that serve children from all backgrounds. This is 
just one of many examples over the years of The Children's Cabinet's 
comprehensive approach to filling in gaps for Nevada families.
  What started as a group of local community leaders who identified a 
gap in support has evolved into a statewide organization powered by the 
many staff, volunteers, and partners who have continued to go the extra 
mile to provide essential services to families in need. I am proud of 
the work The Children's Cabinet has done over the last 40 years to 
ensure every Nevadan has the resources they need to build a strong 
foundation for their family's future. I look forward to their continued 
work for decades to come.

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