County OKs Federal Quake Relief Funds

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday that will allow the county to use $2.4 million in federal funds to assist victims of the Northridge earthquake with everything from counseling to home repairs.

The county plans to use the money to open a drop-in center for youths displaced by the earthquake, and to work with local schools to provide counseling to students and their families who are still traumatized by the temblor.

The drop-in center will provide information about transitional housing services, referrals for low-cost medical, dental and legal services and earthquake preparedness training, according to a county report.

The money will not be spent until a county study is completed on how best to use the funds, officials said.

Additionally, the county will coordinate with local and state officials responsible for services for the elderly and mental health and substance abuse centers to ensure there will be no gaps or duplications in existing services to earthquake victims.

The grant is part of a $7-million earthquake recovery package approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in September, 1994. The money will be administered to the county through the state Department of Children and Family Services.