This Listening Session is the first in a two-part series designed to examine how Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) impacts specific population groups that experience distinctive health vulnerabilities, including youth, older adults, individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, birthing women and Tribal Nations. Anchored in evidence-based frameworks for trauma-informed care, developmental risk, and structural competency, the session prioritizes the integration of firsthand narratives with the data on service gaps. Participants will engage in structured dialogue to better understand how variations in age, ability, neurodevelopment, and community context influence OUD risk trajectories and access to care. This session supports a broader objective of informing service models that are integrity-based, developmentally appropriate, and community-informed, consistent with national public health guidance for behavioral health fairness.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the risks and resilience factors in the onset and progression of Opioid Use Disorder.
- Identify structural, systemic, and environmental barriers to care, including those having the greatest impact on injury prevention, treatment, and recovery for special populations.
- Demonstrate understanding of the role of community experience narratives as a valid and necessary data source for informing the design, implementation, and evaluation of population-specific OUD interventions.
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:
- Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph.D., N.C.S.P.
Dr. Tara Raines is the Deputy Director of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance of Nevada, a nonpartisan organization working to improve outcomes for Nevada’s most vulnerable youth. A school psychologist by training, Dr. Raines brings deep expertise in early identification of behavioral and emotional risk, especially in school-aged children, and how unaddressed needs can lead to involvement with the juvenile justice system. She previously served as Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Child, Family, and School Psychology program at the University of Denver, and as Assistant Professor at UNLV. Her research, supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, focused on universal screening for emotional and behavioral disorders in large, diverse school districts, with a particular interest in school-based pathways to incarceration. Dr. Raines advocates for healing-centered approaches to trauma, culturally responsive care, and increased access to services for families affected by systemic inequities, including the intergenerational impacts of the opioid epidemic. Dr. Raines is nationally recognized for her leadership in antiracist practice, police-in-schools reform, and bilingual workforce development in mental health and education - Nicki Lugo, LPC, CPC, LCADC, CCTS
Nicki Lugo, LPC, CPC, LCADC, CCTS, is a seasoned behavioral health leader with over 15 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. She holds dual licensure in Arizona and Nevada as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. Nicki has led multidisciplinary teams across residential, outpatient, and dual diagnosis treatment settings, consistently exceeding clinical and operational benchmarks. Her leadership has transformed underperforming teams and built new programs from the ground up, blending clinical excellence with strategic execution. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision at Grand Canyon University, furthering her commitment to advancing ethical, trauma-informed care. Passionate about advocacy and healing, Nicki brings a strong, compassionate presence to every client and team she supports. - Dr. Crystal Lee | Diné (Navajo)
Dr. Crystal Lee was born and raised on the Navajo Nation. Her tribal clans are Tachii’nii (Red Running into the Water), Tabaaha (Water’s Edge), Tsenjikini (Cliff Dwellers), and Kin I ichii’nii (Red House). She completed her undergraduate degree(s) at Arizona St. University; MPH and PhD in Public Health degree(s) at University of Las Vegas-Nevada; MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law at University of Oklahoma, College of Law; Predoctoral Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health; and her Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of California-Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine. Currently she is faculty, Assistant Professor, at University of New Mexico, College of Population Health. In addition, she was an Indigenous HIV/AIDS Research Training Fellow at the University of Washington, Indigenous Wellness Research Institute and a Seminar Instructor at Harvard University Kennedy School. She conducts infectious disease biomedical prevention research with a focus on Native American health and examines Indigenous health policies at a tribal, state-tribal coordination, national, and international level. She is Founder/CEO of United Natives, a national non-profit organization that serves Indian Country on multiple initiatives (www.unitednatives.org) that focuses on delivering free mental tele-health services. United Natives was featured as one of USA Today’s top non-profits addressing COVID-19 in Indian Country nationwide. United Natives has prestigious partnerships with: L’Oreal, NFL Alumni Association, NBA Alumni Association, NASCAR, Fiesta Bowl, and the Boston Red Sox. Also, she is Founder/CEO of Dr. b Collections, a Native American fashion line (www.drbcollections.com), and recognized as the first Native American professional sports team owner who owned two men’s professional basketball teams in Mexico. She serves on the United Nations (UN) North American Indigenous Caucus, UN Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus, and L’Oreal USA Board for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She served as the Vice Chair for the Clark County NV, Democratic Party Native Caucus, Advisor for the Nevada Office of Minority Health and Equity, and on U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford’s Equity Cabinet Committee. She served as a Tribal Health Advisor to the Obama Administration and was honored by President Bill Clinton for her work with Indigenous communities at the Clinton Global Initiative. She was the 12th class of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40-under-40 award. - Ryan Mills, Health Resource Analyst III, Program Specialist
Ryan Mills is a former professional BMX rider who faced a decade-long battle with heroin addiction. His journey into substance abuse began after a BMX injury led to pain management with prescription opioids, which eventually spiraled into heroin dependency. Despite his struggles, Mills managed to graduate from college while battling addiction. His life took a turning point when he was arrested, leading him to participate in a drug court program that helped him achieve sobriety. Since overcoming addiction, Mills has rebuilt his life, regaining trust from family and friends and reconnecting with the BMX community. He now uses his experiences to inspire others, sharing his story to raise awareness about addiction and recovery. His return to BMX has been a testament to his resilience, proving that passion and determination can help overcome even the darkest challenges. Mills’ story is one of redemption, perseverance, and hope. He continues to advocate for recovery, demonstrating that life after addiction is possible and fulfilling. Through his journey, he has become a beacon of inspiration for those struggling with substance abuse, showing that with the right support and mindset, transformation is achievable. He now works as a Health Resource Analyst III/Program Specialist at the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
This training is also approved by the Nevada Certification Board for the following certifications:
- Peer Support Specialist (PRSS), Peer Support Specialist Supervisor (PRSS-S), and CHW
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.