This Listening Session addresses the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and its impact on People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) communities receiving treatment, and exploring ways of fostering recovery-friendly spaces in the workplace and community.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will explore strategies for challenging and reducing stigma to create an environment that encourages individuals to seek help and engage in recovery.
- Attendees will learn about the importance of creating recovery-friendly spaces in both the workplace and the community, understanding how these spaces can contribute to sustained recovery and recurrence prevention.
- Participants will acquire knowledge of evidence-based recurrence prevention strategies effective for today’s PWUD communities.
Moderator:
Bianca D. McCall, LMFT is a retired professional women’s basketball player. She is an international TED Speaker, and renowned mental health researcher and expert. Bianca is a licensed clinical therapist, with 25 years in Behavioral Health, and 12 years as a Healthcare CEO. In recent years, she has grown significantly in the digital health space, and created a first-of-its-kind social-emotional platform, designed to improve human health span.
For more than a decade, her work and research has been dedicated to psychological (mental) injury prevention and the discovery of innovations addressing existential isolation. Bianca is passionate about leading projects which promote ongoing research in mental injury prevention, integration of technologies, data analytics, and the discovery of culturally and linguistically responsive crisis interventions. Bianca represents Nevada, on national committees and namely the Suicide Prevention Resource Center; designated by SAMHSA, and Steering Committee for the U.S. Department of Public Health and is a contributor to the National Strategies for Suicide Prevention in areas of Clinical Education, Provider Standards, and Technology. Bianca is a subject matter expert, a curriculum developer, and instructor in higher education with the Centers for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT), Region 9, housed at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Panelists:
- Rhonda Fairchild, PRSS-S, Housing Director, TiNHIH
Rhonda Fairchild first became a member of the Las Vegas recovery community 31 years ago after being introduced to a 12 step program during her stay at a local rehabilitation facility. With the support of her family and a newfound fellowship she returned to her career as a cocktail server at one of Las Vegas’s most beloved downtown casino hotels. In 2009 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Upon graduation, she turned her attention to substitute teaching. She served as a life skills instructor at the Clark County School District’s Mission High School, the nation’s first all public school for young people with substance use disorders. She is honored to be a part of this historic public school project where she can teach and mentor children who are eager to make positive changes in their lives. She is also the Housing Director of the TiNHIH sober living and treatment combined program, & APG (Alternative Peer Group) a recovery community center for teens and young adults. Fairchild has lived in Las Vegas since 1974. She is the mother of six adult children and grandmother to twelve. She and her life partner, Paul, enjoy tandem bicycling and travelling to ghost towns and small communities near Las Vegas. - Teresa Sands, PRSS, Admissions Coordinator, Virtue Recovery Center
Teresa Sands is a devoted advocate, educator, and leader dedicated to advancing addiction recovery and promoting harm reduction initiatives. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Teresa deeply connects to her community and brings a unique perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a focus on addiction studies from Indiana Tech. She is pursuing her Master of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. Additionally, she is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, blending professional expertise with lived experience to empower individuals affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) while keeping people who use drugs safe and ensuring they have a seat at the table. As an Admissions Coordinator, she helps individuals and families overcome the challenges of accessing treatment, guiding clients through the complexities of care, and providing them with the resources and support they need to start their recovery journey. With 18 years of experience in show business, Teresa also brings a unique empathy and understanding to her advocacy for sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking. Her background has fueled her passion for human rights and commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels respected and supported. Teresa is a proud member of the Recovery Advocacy Project Nevada, where she actively advocates for policies that support all individuals, including people who use drugs. She is also the Nevada Chapter Lead for Young People in Recovery, where she collaborates with amazing community partners to organize harm-reduction workshops, conduct overdose prevention training, facilitate Narcan distribution events, and create pro-social and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA community. Through these efforts, she emphasizes the importance of educating 2 communities about multiple pathways to recovery and ensuring equitable access to care for underserved populations.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director’s Office through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, established in Nevada Revised Statutes 433.712 through 433.744. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence or its funders.