The Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE)

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series — Session 3
2025-11-18 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
Join us for a five-part virtual follow-up series building on the in-person conference Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care. Each one-hour session will take a deeper look at the health and well-being of parents, infants, and families affected by substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD).
Series Schedule (Tuesdays from 10–11 am PT):

September 30, 2025 – Infant Health and Early Development
October 28, 2025 – Postpartum Period Through First Year
November 18, 2025 – Child Welfare Systems and Alternatives
December 16, 2025 – Substance Use and Treatment Approaches
January 27, 2026 – Data and Measures of Success

IMPORTANT: This series will be hosted as a Zoom Meeting. Participants should have a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone to actively engage in discussions and activities. If you’re new to Zoom, visit the Getting Started with Zoom Video Conferencing Software section of our website.
Session 3: November 18, 2025 – Child Welfare Systems and Alternatives
This session examines the role of child welfare in the lives of families affected by substance use and highlights opportunities to shift from surveillance and separation to supportive and healing practices. Participants will learn how to operationalize Plans of Safe Care and explore community-based alternatives that prioritize family preservation and wellbeing.
Learning Objectives:

Explain the intent and implementation of Plans of Safe Care.
Compare traditional surveillance-based approaches with family-centered alternatives.
Identify practical strategies for advancing child welfare practices that reduce trauma and support family integrity.

Presented by: Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP and Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM
Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Co-Founder of Doing Right By Birth and Founder of Anka Consulting, a health care consulting firm and recently completed a Non-Resident Fellowship at the Urban Institute. She most recently served as the National Drug Addiction Treatment and Harm Reduction Program Director at the Open Society Foundations. She oversaw grantmaking that supported education, advocacy, systems reform and innovation to expand equitable access to and outcomes from a full continuum of integrated, evidence informed, culturally and linguistically effective substance use disorder services and supported programming that developed non-punitive individual and public health not criminal justice responses for people with substance use disorders. Prior to joining the Open Society Foundations, Taylor served as Deputy Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department where she created more cohesive and integrated public health services for citizens at risk; a large percentage of whom had substance use disorders and/or HIV. Before Baltimore, she served as the health and social policy legislative assistant for Senator Sarbanes, with issue areas including Social Security, TANF, pharmaceuticals, Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care policy and women’s issues.A pediatrician, Taylor is a graduate of Brown University, Brown University School of Medicine, and the Georgetown University residency program in pediatrics. From 1998 to 2002, Taylor cared for uninsured and underinsured patients at a community health center in Washington, D.C., and created a city-wide coalition to advance literacy in pediatric primary care. She worked with other community organizations to empower youth such that they will realize their abilities, grasp opportunities, and improve the world at large.In 2002, Taylor was awarded a Commonwealth Foundation fellowship in minority health policy at Harvard University. During the fellowship, Taylor’s research focused on exploring state legislative remedies for racial and ethnic health disparities. Eliminating health disparities and inequities has been a theme throughout all of her work.
Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His primary clinical, research, public health, and advocacy interests lie along the intersections of reproductive and behavioral health. He is Medical Director at Friends Research Institute and adjunct faculty at the University of California, San Francisco where he is a Substance Use Warmline clinician. He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Doing Right By Birth, a non-profit that seeks to flip the script from drug exposure to early childhood development. Dr. Terplan has spoken at local high schools and before the United States Congress and is internationally recognized as an expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people who use drugs.

Continuing Education Units: 5 CEUs*
Each session offers 1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with a total of 5 CEUs awarded for full participation in the series.
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here as well as by the Nevada Certification Board for PRSS(-S), CHW, Prevention, and Doulas. Please see the list below for Nevada Certification board approval breakdown

Session 1: Approved for CHW, Prevention, and Doulas
Session 2: Approved for PRSS(-S), CHW, and Doulas
Session 3: Approved for PRSS(-S)
Session 4: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Doulas
Session 5: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Prevention

Funding for this training 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, and by Washoe County through the One Nevada Agreement allocation of the Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (Grant #WOARF24-00003). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence, DHHS, or Washoe County.

Project Echo Pain Management
2025-11-19 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Meeting
First and Third Wednesdays of each month | 8–9 am

This Project ECHO series is a forum led by pain management physician, Denis Patterson, DO, pain psychologist, Michael Lewandowski, PhD, and mental health and addiction specialist, Paul Snyder, MA, LADCS, CPCI. The sessions offer an opportunity to present and discuss patients with pain. Learn how to assess and manage your patients with pain through a variety of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic modalities, as well as learn best practice approaches to minimizing the risk of addiction.
Submit a case review: https://redcap.unr.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=RE4NYNCJHN
Additional information

Attendance type: Virtual – No in-person attendance is required.
Cost: Free, must register in advance
Event type: Lectures & Seminars, Professional Development

Learn m0re: https://med.unr.edu/echo/programs/pain-management

Nevada's Celebration of National Rural Health Day 2025
2025-11-20 02:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 4001 South Virginia Street, 4001 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 89502, United States
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) State Office of Rural Health, Nevada Rural Hospital Partners (NRHP), and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV invite you to join the 2025 National Rural Health Day Event!
What is National Rural Health Day?
National Rural Health Day (NRHD) celebrates the dedication of rural healthcare providers, State Offices of Rural Health, and other stakeholders in tackling the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.
2025 Vendors

Access to Healthcare Network
American Heart Association
BeHERENV
CASAT – Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE)
Foster Kinship
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division
Nevada Association of Counties
Nevada Department of Veteran Services
Nevada Rural Hospital Partners
Orvis School of Nursing | University of Nevada, Reno
Quest Counseling & Consulting
Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital
Silver Summit Health Plan
University of Nevada, Reno Office of Statewide Initiatives
University of Nevada, Reno Savitt Medical Library
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – Physician Assistant Studies Program

Nevada OD2A Data Office Hours
2025-11-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Meeting
Join Nevada’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program for a monthly office hour focused on overdose and substance use data. This session is an open space to discuss Nevada’s surveillance reports, ask questions, and explore trends in nonfatal overdoses and related data sources.
Hosted by:
Taylor Lensch, PhD, MPHData Analytics Manager, Larson InstituteSchool of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno
Zoom Link:
https://unr.zoom.us/j/87682436259?pwd=[REDACTED]
View the latest reports:

The Nevada Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Program

Introduction to Screening, Prevention, and Intervention for Alcohol and Drug Use: Foundational Knowledge for Community Health Workers
2025-12-03 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This 90-minute virtual webinar introduces participants to core concepts and practical tools for addressing unhealthy alcohol and drug use in their service settings. Designed for Community Health Workers and other professionals in primary care and other health and mental health settings, the session will blend foundational knowledge with real-world applications. Participants will explore the spectrum of substance use, setting specific screening tools, and evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. The webinar also addresses stigma, systemic gaps, and opportunities for improving care.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Define and distinguish between types of unhealthy alcohol and drug use (e.g., risky use, substance use disorder)
Describe prevalence and consequences of substance use in their specific service setting
Recognize the impact of substance use stigma and describe strategies for reducing stigma in clinical and community settings
Summarize a variety of prevention and intervention techniques and resources

Presented by: Jennifer Hettema, PhD
Jennifer Hettema, PhD is a clinical psychologist and has conducted research on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of brief behavioral health interventions in medical and other settings with an emphasis on promoting health equity. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and much of her research integrated this approach. Dr. Hettema develops curriculum and teaches medical students, residents, faculty, and other health professions.
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.

Empowered Pathways: Addressing Opioid Use Across the Lifespan in Nevada — Session 2: Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
2025-12-03 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This comprehensive 4-part webinar series is designed to strengthen Nevada’s approach to opioid and other substance use disorders, with special emphasis on maternal health and family systems. The series provides participants with data, tools, and real-world perspectives to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery supports across the lifespan.
Series Schedule (Wednesdays from 12–2 pm PT):

November 5, 2025 – Breaking the Silence Substance Use & Health Across the Lifespan
December 3, 2025 – Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
December 10, 2025 – Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
December 17, 2025 – Healing Systems Building Intergenerational Recovery Ecosystems

Participation in the full series is not required for continuing education. However, the sessions are designed to be cohesive as a series, and we encourage full participation for the best learning outcomes. During registration, you will be able to select which sessions you wish to attend.
Presented by: Eboni January, MD, FACOG
Dr. Eboni January (Dr. EJ) is a board-certified OB/GYN, health equity advocate, and business visionary—who believes that real change happens when we combine expertise with intentional action. Dr. Eboni January’s mission is to improve maternal health outcomes by blending medical expertise with cultural awareness, advocacy, and education. Her vision is to ensure that every mother—regardless of background or circumstance—has the knowledge, confidence, and community she deserves to experience a healthy, informed, and empowered motherhood journey.
Continuing Education Units: 8 CEUs (2 CEUs per session)
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 2 – December 3, 2025 – Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Identify evidence-based medication-assisted treatment approaches for pregnant individuals.
Apply trauma-informed strategies that support multi-generational healing within families.
Integrate culturally responsive practices to improve care in Nevada’s diverse communities.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

StreetReach Street Health Summit: From Insight to Action
2025-12-05 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Wells Fargo Auditorium, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 89557, United States
Join us for the inaugural StreetReach Street Health Summit, a full-day event dedicated to advancing the health of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Northern Nevada and beyond. This summit brings together national experts and local leaders to share practical strategies, spark collaboration, and chart actionable next steps for improving street-based care.
The morning session, Insight, features presentations from national thought leaders on topics including wound care, prenatal health, and models of care delivery for people experiencing homelessness, including older adults. In the afternoon, Action, participants will engage in a rapid-fire showcase of local innovations and take part in a dynamic interactive panel using live audience polling to identify regional priorities and solutions.
Additional information

Attendance type: In person
Cost: Free, must register in advance
Event type: Conferences & Symposiums

Identifying, Addressing, and Treating The Dual Epidemics of Hepatitis C Virus and Opioid Use Disorder
2025-12-08 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
Substance use disorders are common in the United States, with 2024 data indicating that more than 1 in 4 (25.5%) of persons 12 years of age or older used an illicit drug in the past year. The availability of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications has radically changed the assessment and
consideration of substance use, and more specifically opioid use, in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment decisions. This 90-minute webinar will provide an overview of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including a focus on defining key epidemiological aspects, contrasting recent treatment advancements, and evaluating the integration of HCV testing and treatment into medications for addiction treatment (MAT)/medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs and opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Attendees will learn practical strategies to improve HCV management and enhance patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:

Identify at least three (3) key aspects of the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV), including its transmission, prevalence, and at-risk populations.
Explain at least two (2) recent advances in hepatitis C treatment, highlighting the differences and advantages of each treatment approach.
Describe at least two (2) benefits of integrating hepatitis C testing and treatment into MAT and OTP care settings.

Presented by: Beth A. Rutkowski, MPH
Beth Rutkowski received her Master of Public Health degree, with an emphasis on epidemiology and quantitative methods, from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health. She has been associated with UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) since December 2000, and currently serves as the Director of Training and Co-Director of the SAMHSA-supported Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Training Center. The majority of Ms. Rutkowski’s time is focused on the development of synchronous and asynchronous training and intensive technical assistance curricula and training packages focused on evidence-based substance use disorder research and targeted to the community at large. In addition, she organizes and conducts conferences and trainings throughout the Pacific Southwest region (HHS Region 9, covering AZ, CA, HI, NV, and the six U.S. Affiliated Pacific Jurisdictions) on scientifically validated interventions and topics. Ms. Rutkowski is a NIATx-certified process improvement coach, and has directed several statewide, regional, and local process improvement change project initiatives. Ms. Rutkowski has co-authored and edited numerous peer reviewed research articles, book chapters, special issues, and technical reports on treatment evaluation, research-practice partnerships, process improvement strategies for use in substance use disorder and mental health treatment programs, prescription drug misuse, the epidemiology of methamphetamine and crack cocaine use, synthetic drugs, process improvement strategies to improve client engagement and retention in treatment, SBIRT, HIV and substance use, medications for alcohol and opioid use disorders, best practices in substance use disorder treatment, and local, national, and international drug trends.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEU
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.

Introduction to Screening, Prevention, and Intervention for Alcohol and Drug Use: Foundational Knowledge for Criminal Justice Professionals
2025-12-09 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This 90-minute virtual webinar introduces criminal justice professionals to essential concepts and practical tools for addressing unhealthy alcohol, opioid, and drug use among justice-involved individuals. Designed for staff working in corrections, probation, parole, reentry, and related settings, the session blends foundational knowledge with real-world applications. Participants will explore the spectrum of substance use, setting-specific screening tools, and evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. The webinar also addresses stigma, systemic barriers, and opportunities to improve outcomes through early identification and supportive engagement.
Learning Objectives

Define and distinguish between types of unhealthy alcohol and drug use (e.g., risky use, substance use disorder)
Describe the prevalence and consequences of substance use within criminal justice settings
Recognize the impact of substance use stigma and identify strategies to reduce stigma in correctional and community supervision environments
Summarize a range of prevention and intervention approaches, including behavioral strategies and referral pathways

Presented by: Jennifer Hettema, PhD is a clinical psychologist and has conducted research on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of brief behavioral health interventions in medical and other settings with an emphasis on promoting health equity. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and much of her research integrated this approach. Dr. Hettema develops curriculum and teaches medical students, residents, faculty, and other health professions.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEU
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.

Substance Use Screening, Prevention, and Intervention (SPI): Foundational Training for Adolescent Service Providers
2025-12-10 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This 90-minute virtual webinar introduces adolescent service providers to essential concepts and practical tools for addressing unhealthy alcohol, opioid, and drug use among youth. Designed for professionals in school-based health centers and youth-serving organizations, the session blends foundational knowledge with real-world applications. Participants will explore the spectrum of substance use in adolescents, age-appropriate screening tools, and evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. The webinar also addresses stigma, developmental considerations, and opportunities to support youth through early identification and responsive care.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Define and distinguish between types of unhealthy alcohol and drug use in adolescents (e.g. risky use, substance use disorder)
Describe the prevalence and consequences of substance use among youth in their specific service setting
Recognize the impact of stigma on adolescents and identify strategies to reduce stigma in youth-centered environments
Summarize a range of prevention and intervention approaches tailored to adolescent populations, including motivational strategies and referral pathways

Presented by: Jennifer Hettema, PhD is a clinical psychologist and has conducted research on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of brief behavioral health interventions in medical and other settings with an emphasis on promoting health equity. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and much of her research integrated this approach. Dr. Hettema develops curriculum and teaches medical students, residents, faculty, and other health professions.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEU
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.

Empowered Pathways: Addressing Opioid Use Across the Lifespan in Nevada — Session 3: Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
2025-12-10 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This comprehensive 4-part webinar series is designed to strengthen Nevada’s approach to opioid and other substance use disorders, with special emphasis on maternal health and family systems. The series provides participants with data, tools, and real-world perspectives to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery supports across the lifespan.
Series Schedule (Wednesdays from 12–2 pm PT):

November 5, 2025 – Breaking the Silence Substance Use & Health Across the Lifespan
December 3, 2025 – Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
December 10, 2025 – Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
December 17, 2025 – Healing Systems Building Intergenerational Recovery Ecosystems

Participation in the full series is not required for continuing education. However, the sessions are designed to be cohesive as a series, and we encourage full participation for the best learning outcomes. During registration, you will be able to select which sessions you wish to attend.
Presented by: Eboni January, MD, FACOG
Dr. Eboni January (Dr. EJ) is a board-certified OB/GYN, health equity advocate, and business visionary—who believes that real change happens when we combine expertise with intentional action. Dr. Eboni January’s mission is to improve maternal health outcomes by blending medical expertise with cultural awareness, advocacy, and education. Her vision is to ensure that every mother—regardless of background or circumstance—has the knowledge, confidence, and community she deserves to experience a healthy, informed, and empowered motherhood journey.
Continuing Education Units: 8 CEUs (2 CEUs per session)
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 3 – December 10 2025 – Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Understand legal frameworks affecting families impacted by opioid use, including child welfare, family court, and reentry systems.
Explore equity-centered diversion programs and community-based alternatives to incarceration.
Recognize how advocacy and policy can shape more equitable outcomes for families in crisis.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

Substance Use and Treatment Approaches
2025-12-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series
Join us for a five-part virtual follow-up series building on the in-person conference Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care. Each one-hour session will take a deeper look at the health and well-being of parents, infants, and families affected by substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD).
Series Schedule (Tuesdays from 10–11 am PT):

September 30, 2025 – Infant Health and Early Development
October 28, 2025 – Postpartum Period Through First Year
November 18, 2025 – Child Welfare Systems and Alternatives
December 16, 2025 – Substance Use and Treatment Approaches
January 27, 2026 – Data and Measures of Success

IMPORTANT: This series will be hosted as a Zoom Meeting. Participants should have a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone to actively engage in discussions and activities. If you’re new to Zoom, visit the Getting Started with Zoom Video Conferencing Software section of our website.
Session 4: December 16, 2025 – Substance Use and Treatment Approaches
This session provides an overview of common substances impacting pregnant and parenting people, along with evidence-based treatment approaches. Special attention will be given to drug testing, including common myths, ethical concerns, and best practices for ensuring respectful, effective care.
Learning Objectives:

Summarize the effects of commonly used substances during pregnancy and postpartum.
Identify evidence-based treatment approaches for pregnant and parenting people.
Analyze ethical considerations and best practices related to drug testing in perinatal care settings.

Presented by: Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP and Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM
Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Co-Founder of Doing Right By Birth and Founder of Anka Consulting, a health care consulting firm and recently completed a Non-Resident Fellowship at the Urban Institute. She most recently served as the National Drug Addiction Treatment and Harm Reduction Program Director at the Open Society Foundations. She oversaw grantmaking that supported education, advocacy, systems reform and innovation to expand equitable access to and outcomes from a full continuum of integrated, evidence informed, culturally and linguistically effective substance use disorder services and supported programming that developed non-punitive individual and public health not criminal justice responses for people with substance use disorders. Prior to joining the Open Society Foundations, Taylor served as Deputy Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department where she created more cohesive and integrated public health services for citizens at risk; a large percentage of whom had substance use disorders and/or HIV. Before Baltimore, she served as the health and social policy legislative assistant for Senator Sarbanes, with issue areas including Social Security, TANF, pharmaceuticals, Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care policy and women’s issues.A pediatrician, Taylor is a graduate of Brown University, Brown University School of Medicine, and the Georgetown University residency program in pediatrics. From 1998 to 2002, Taylor cared for uninsured and underinsured patients at a community health center in Washington, D.C., and created a city-wide coalition to advance literacy in pediatric primary care. She worked with other community organizations to empower youth such that they will realize their abilities, grasp opportunities, and improve the world at large.In 2002, Taylor was awarded a Commonwealth Foundation fellowship in minority health policy at Harvard University. During the fellowship, Taylor’s research focused on exploring state legislative remedies for racial and ethnic health disparities. Eliminating health disparities and inequities has been a theme throughout all of her work.
Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His primary clinical, research, public health, and advocacy interests lie along the intersections of reproductive and behavioral health. He is Medical Director at Friends Research Institute and adjunct faculty at the University of California, San Francisco where he is a Substance Use Warmline clinician. He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Doing Right By Birth, a non-profit that seeks to flip the script from drug exposure to early childhood development. Dr. Terplan has spoken at local high schools and before the United States Congress and is internationally recognized as an expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people who use drugs.

Continuing Education Units: 5 CEUs*
Each session offers 1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with a total of 5 CEUs awarded for full participation in the series.
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here as well as by the Nevada Certification Board for PRSS(-S), CHW, Prevention, and Doulas. Please see the list below for Nevada Certification board approval breakdown

Session 1: Approved for CHW, Prevention, and Doulas
Session 2: Approved for PRSS(-S), CHW, and Doulas
Session 3: Approved for PRSS(-S)
Session 4: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Doulas
Session 5: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Prevention

Funding for this training 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, and by Washoe County through the One Nevada Agreement allocation of the Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (Grant #WOARF24-00003). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence, DHHS, or Washoe County.

Supporting Behavioral Health Providers: Creating Postvention Strategies for Healing After Losing a Client to Suicide
2025-12-16 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | UNR North Las Vegas Extension – North Las Vegas Learning Center, 2280 N McDaniel St - Classroom A, North Las Vegas, NV, 89030, United States
A film and discussion exploring the emotional impact of suicide and overdose loss and the path to healing for providers.

This special event combines a film screening with guided discussion to explore the shared emotional, professional, and systemic impacts of losing a client to suicide or opioid overdose. Adapted from materials developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), the session provides behavioral health providers and administrators with practical postvention strategies to support healing, resilience, and professional recovery following client loss.
Through brief video segments and facilitated dialogue, participants will examine the parallels between suicide loss and overdose loss, discuss evidence-informed postvention strategies, and share experiences from the field. The event will also highlight clinical and community resources available through the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE) and SPRC to help providers and organizations respond with compassion, structure, and self-awareness in the aftermath of loss.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this presentation behavioral health providers and administrators will:

Gain a greater understanding in how to implement actionable emotional, professional and organizational postvention strategies (knowledge).
Understand what evidenced-based postvention strategies may help them increase their recovery after a client suicide loss and opioid overdose (knowledge).
Feel more prepared to process a client suicide loss and parallel experiences with opioid overdose (attitudes/beliefs).
Feel better able to make evidenced-based decisions on postvention strategies after a client suicide loss and opioid overdose (attitude/beliefs).
Apply their knowledge as part of their postvention strategies and incorporate it into their prevention efforts (behaviors).

Presented by: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT
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.
Continuing Education Units: 2 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.

Empowered Pathways: Addressing Opioid Use Across the Lifespan in Nevada — Session 4: Healing Systems Building Intergenerational Recovery Ecosystems
2025-12-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This comprehensive 4-part webinar series is designed to strengthen Nevada’s approach to opioid and other substance use disorders, with special emphasis on maternal health and family systems. The series provides participants with data, tools, and real-world perspectives to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery supports across the lifespan.
Series Schedule (Wednesdays from 12–2 pm PT):

November 5, 2025 – Breaking the Silence Substance Use & Health Across the Lifespan
December 3, 2025 – Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
December 10, 2025 – Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
December 17, 2025 – Healing Systems Building Intergenerational Recovery Ecosystems

Participation in the full series is not required for continuing education. However, the sessions are designed to be cohesive as a series, and we encourage full participation for the best learning outcomes. During registration, you will be able to select which sessions you wish to attend.
Presented by: Eboni January, MD, FACOG
Dr. Eboni January (Dr. EJ) is a board-certified OB/GYN, health equity advocate, and business visionary—who believes that real change happens when we combine expertise with intentional action. Dr. Eboni January’s mission is to improve maternal health outcomes by blending medical expertise with cultural awareness, advocacy, and education. Her vision is to ensure that every mother—regardless of background or circumstance—has the knowledge, confidence, and community she deserves to experience a healthy, informed, and empowered motherhood journey.
Continuing Education Units: 8 CEUs (2 CEUs per session)
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
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Session 4 – December 17, 2025 – Healing Systems Building Intergenerational Recovery Ecosystems
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Strengthen community-based recovery networks that support long-term, intergenerational healing.
Develop strategies for cross-sector collaboration to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery outcomes in Nevada.
Assess emerging technologies that can enhance opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery support.

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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.

Trends, Analysis & Threats Webinar Series
2026-01-07 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual Event
A bi-monthly webinar series delivering briefings on current and emerging drug trends from experts with leading forensic and toxicology labs.
Open to any interested professionals throughout the country working in public safety, public health, or other disciplines to prevent overdoses.
Click here to register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/h6NVyph/orstat
To submit questions or topics of interest, contact ors-tat@nhac.org.
To learn more about the ORS program, visit www.orsprogam.org.
Download PDF Flyer: TRENDS ANALYSIS and THREATS WEBINARS

Community of Practice: Expanding Behavioral Health Services Integration in Health Centers
2026-01-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-28 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Meeting
Description:
This eight-session Community of Practice (CoP) will show HRSA-supported health centers how to implement and sustain effective behavioral health service expansion in their care settings. This CoP will cover topics including evidence-based integrated care models; levels of primary care and behavioral health integration; and how to establish an effective, team-based integrated care environment and apply a systems-level approach to implement and sustain effective, comprehensive integrated care. Leveraging expert-led presentations and facilitated peer discussions, health center teams will learn about and exchange effective strategies to achieve enhanced levels of successful behavioral health integration/service expansion in their settings.
Behavioral health professionals may earn one continuing education credit for attending each CoP session.
Objectives:
At the end of this CoP, participants will be able to:

Articulate the difference between common integrated care models.
Describe the five foundational aspects of effective behavioral health integration.
Determine key operations that identify behavioral health integration and behavioral health service expansion at different levels of integrated care.
Identify strategies to influence language and communication to build a more robust integrated care environment.
Apply a systems approach to build a more effective and sustainable integrated care model within their health center.

Community of Practice: Integrating Addiction Treatment Services Into Primary Care
2026-01-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-05 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Meeting
Description:
With their training in whole-person care, primary care providers are often the first providers to witness how addiction – to tobacco, alcohol, and other substances – complicates their patients’ mental and physical condition. Yet primary care providers often have many questions about how to manage substance use disorders (SUDs) in their health center practice. This eight-session Community of Practice (CoP) will guide HRSA-supported health center staff to integrate SUD services into their primary care setting. Grounded in the belief that addiction treatment is a fundamental part of whole-person care, CoP participants will learn from addiction medicine experts and health center colleagues about building shared language around addiction; forming a high-performing addiction/integration treatment team; evaluating and administering screening tools; next steps after a positive SUD screening; managing referrals; and sustaining their health center SUD program. This CoP will provide health centers the opportunity to learn about and exchange effective strategies to provide impactful, team-based addiction care.
Behavioral health professionals may earn one continuing education credit for attending each CoP session.
Objectives:
At the end of this CoP, participants will be able to:

Apply communication techniques for discussing addiction with patients, colleagues, and co-providers.
Outline how to create a high-performing addiction integration team.
Evaluate processes for SUD screening, assessment, treatment, and referrals.
Use a Plan, Do, Study, Act continuous process model to build sustainability into addiction integration programs.

1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Every other Thursday until February 5, 2026 (with a two-week holiday break)
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET optional office hours

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Integration: Workforce Shortages, Retention, and Resilience
2026-01-15 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Webinar
This webinar introduces practices that health centers can implement now to address acute staffing challenges within integrated care settings. We’ll briefly review current staffing challenges, and dive into strategies to support staff training, retention, and resilience. You’ll leave with quality improvement ideas to bolster your workforce development efforts.
Presented by Kerry King, PsyD, MBA, Founder, The King Institute
Earn 1.0 Behavioral Health continuing education credit (CEU) for attending this webinar.

Tools for Change: Screening, Preventing, and Intervention of Substance Use Disorders
2026-01-20 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | EPL
This 7-week online series is designed to equip behavioral health providers, community health workers, and those working in the criminal justice system with foundational knowledge, tools, and practical strategies for addressing substance use, misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs), focused on Opioid and Stimulant Use throughout. This series is also focused on overdose prevention by helping providers understand how they can help to reduce risk related to substance use with different approaches to care. Through evidence-based content and interactive discussions and activities, participants will deepen their understanding of the complex interplay between substance use, mental health, trauma, and stigma, while building skills in screening, prevention, and intervention. This training series will focus on Opioid and Stimulant Use throughout. Participants will meet for 1.5 hours over zoom for the 7 weeks of the series.
WHEN: Every Tuesday, January 20 – March 3, 2026, from 12:00 – 1:30 PM PST
OBJECTIVES:

Explain how SPI supports early identification and reduces harm in a public health context.
Integrate knowledge of opioid and stimulant use on the brain and how this may impact service delivery for those using those substances
Apply trauma-informed approaches to SUD care.
Identify stigma and provider bias and understand potential impact for those using substances.
Conduct screenings and brief interventions confidently.
Identify prevention strategies suitable to the services delivery setting.
Integrate evidence-based practices into client care.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health, and Recovery Service providers located in Nevada.

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT & EXPECTATIONS

Access to appropriate technology to utilize Zoom videoconferencing platform (internet connection, webcam, laptop/tablet, speakers and microphone).
Attend a one-hour online Orientation on January 20th.
Commit to 8-weeks of online training for 1.5 hours weekly from January 27 – March 3, 2026
Complete weekly self-study learning activities

TRAINER(S)/FACILITATOR(S):

Christina Boyd, LSCSW, LCAC

THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPATE: The first 35 registrants will receive a waiver that covers the entire $350 cost of participation. Once the 35 spots have been filled, registration will be closed. Due to limited enrollment, if you cannot commit to the full requirements, please defer this opportunity to others.
PLEASE NOTE: Registrants enrolled in this series are required to attend the orientation and Week 1 sessions. If you cannot attend these sessions, you will forfeit your attendance. In addition, it is expected that participants will have access to the appropriate technology by Week 1 to fully participate and be on camera at least 90% of the time. This is not a webinar series and active participation to gain/improve skills are required.
Continuing Education: The course is approved for 16 CEUs by the following professional associations in Nevada:

Nevada Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, & Gambling Counselors
Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors
State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers

What Does NOT Work in Prevention
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
Many trainings and resources focus on what research has shown to be effective at preventing substance misuse. However, we also know through research what is NOT effective in preventing substance misuse and in some cases is harmful. Yet communities across the nation continue to implement these ineffective and sometimes counterproductive strategies. The focus of this webinar will be on identifying these ineffective approaches. We will also spend time discussing strategies prevention professionals can use to address the resistance often expressed by individuals and organizations reluctant to change long- standing, well-liked prevention practices.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify at least 5 interventions that have been shown through research to NOT be effective in
preventing substance misuse
List evidence-based approaches that can be used as effective alternatives to the
ineffective/counterproductive strategies
Describe strategies to address resistance to discontinuing ineffective and/or counterproductive
prevention strategies

Presented by:
Britany Wiele, CPS, is a Senior Project Coordinator for Workforce Development at the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). In this role, she serves as a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for SAMHSA’s Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center, strengthening the prevention workforce across HHS Region 9. She also provides prevention-focused technical assistance through the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence and advances UNR’s campus-based prevention priorities as a project coordinator for the Strategic Prevention Framework–Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grant.
As a Certified Prevention Specialist, Britany brings extensive experience in community collaboration and implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework. Prior to joining CASAT, she led prevention initiatives at Join Together Northern Nevada, where she developed youth and adult programming, implemented evidence-based strategies, and fostered cross-sector partnerships.
Certificates of Attendance
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in the live webinar event.
Questions?
Please contact Tyler Dean (tdean@casat.org) for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Britany Wiele (bwiele@casat.org).

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.

Navigating AI in Prevention: A Practical Guide for Professionals
2026-01-26 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual Event
2-Part Webinar Series!
As prevention professionals are asked to do more with limited time and resources, understanding how to thoughtfully use artificial intelligence (AI) can support more effective, efficient, and ethical work. This two-part series bridges the gap between emerging AI technologies and the daily realities of prevention. This series moves beyond technical jargon to provide a clear, decision-based framework for integrating AI. Participants will explore how to enhance community engagement and program efficiency while upholding the highest standards of data privacy and digital dignity.
Part 1: The AI Prevention Toolkit: Applications and Foundations
Part 2: Navigating AI Ethics: Decision-Making and Community Guardrails
Dates: January 26 & 28, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific
Format: Virtual Webinar Series

Part 1: The AI Prevention Toolkit: Applications and Foundations
This session demystifies AI for prevention professionals, translating complex technology into “plain language” concepts. We will explore the current landscape of AI tools and their immediate application in program planning and content creation. Participants will learn to identify where AI can enhance efficiency without sacrificing the human touch necessary for effective health communication.
By the end of session 1, participants will be able to:

Explain basic AI concepts and mechanisms using plain language that requires no prior technical expertise.
Evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of various AI tools for prevention program planning and content creation.
Identify specific workflows where AI can enhance efficiency in health communication without compromising accuracy or the necessary human element.

Who Should Participate:
Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.
Dates & Times:
States & American Samoa
January 26, 2026
04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Arizona
03:00 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. Pacific
01:00 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Hawaii
12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m. American Samoa
Pacific Jurisdictions
January 27, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Republic of the Marshall Islands
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pohnpei and Kosrae
09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap
08:00 a.m. – 09:00 a.m. Republic of Palau
(view in your time zone)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Cost: FREE!
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Certificates of Attendance:
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1 hour for participating in each live webinar session.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
To Register:
Click here to register for Part 1: The AI Prevention Toolkit: Applications and Foundations
Click here to register for Part 2: Navigating AI Ethics: Decision-Making and Community Guardrails
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Questions:
Please contact Tyler Dean (tdean@casat.org) for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Clarissa Lam Yuen (clamyuen@casat.org).

Data and Measures of Success
2026-01-27 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series
Join us for a five-part virtual follow-up series building on the in-person conference Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care. Each one-hour session will take a deeper look at the health and well-being of parents, infants, and families affected by substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD).
Series Schedule (Tuesdays from 10–11 am PT):

September 30, 2025 – Infant Health and Early Development
October 28, 2025 – Postpartum Period Through First Year
November 18, 2025 – Child Welfare Systems and Alternatives
December 16, 2025 – Substance Use and Treatment Approaches
January 27, 2026 – Data and Measures of Success

IMPORTANT: This series will be hosted as a Zoom Meeting. Participants should have a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone to actively engage in discussions and activities. If you’re new to Zoom, visit the Getting Started with Zoom Video Conferencing Software section of our website.
Session 5: January 27, 2026 – Data and Measures of Success
How do we define and measure success when supporting families affected by substance use? This session invites participants to rethink success by incorporating real-time assessments of well-being, meaningful quantitative and qualitative measures, and inclusive evaluation practices that engage parents and communities as partners in defining outcomes.
Learning Objectives:

Discuss limitations of traditional metrics and reframe success to center family wellbeing.
Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative data sources and their uses.
Design inclusive evaluation strategies that involve families, providers, and communities in measuring impact.

Presented by: Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP and Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM
Kimá Joy Taylor, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Co-Founder of Doing Right By Birth and Founder of Anka Consulting, a health care consulting firm and recently completed a Non-Resident Fellowship at the Urban Institute. She most recently served as the National Drug Addiction Treatment and Harm Reduction Program Director at the Open Society Foundations. She oversaw grantmaking that supported education, advocacy, systems reform and innovation to expand equitable access to and outcomes from a full continuum of integrated, evidence informed, culturally and linguistically effective substance use disorder services and supported programming that developed non-punitive individual and public health not criminal justice responses for people with substance use disorders. Prior to joining the Open Society Foundations, Taylor served as Deputy Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department where she created more cohesive and integrated public health services for citizens at risk; a large percentage of whom had substance use disorders and/or HIV. Before Baltimore, she served as the health and social policy legislative assistant for Senator Sarbanes, with issue areas including Social Security, TANF, pharmaceuticals, Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care policy and women’s issues.A pediatrician, Taylor is a graduate of Brown University, Brown University School of Medicine, and the Georgetown University residency program in pediatrics. From 1998 to 2002, Taylor cared for uninsured and underinsured patients at a community health center in Washington, D.C., and created a city-wide coalition to advance literacy in pediatric primary care. She worked with other community organizations to empower youth such that they will realize their abilities, grasp opportunities, and improve the world at large.In 2002, Taylor was awarded a Commonwealth Foundation fellowship in minority health policy at Harvard University. During the fellowship, Taylor’s research focused on exploring state legislative remedies for racial and ethnic health disparities. Eliminating health disparities and inequities has been a theme throughout all of her work.
Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His primary clinical, research, public health, and advocacy interests lie along the intersections of reproductive and behavioral health. He is Medical Director at Friends Research Institute and adjunct faculty at the University of California, San Francisco where he is a Substance Use Warmline clinician. He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Doing Right By Birth, a non-profit that seeks to flip the script from drug exposure to early childhood development. Dr. Terplan has spoken at local high schools and before the United States Congress and is internationally recognized as an expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people who use drugs.

Continuing Education Units: 5 CEUs*
Each session offers 1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with a total of 5 CEUs awarded for full participation in the series.
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here as well as by the Nevada Certification Board for PRSS(-S), CHW, Prevention, and Doulas. Please see the list below for Nevada Certification board approval breakdown

Session 1: Approved for CHW, Prevention, and Doulas
Session 2: Approved for PRSS(-S), CHW, and Doulas
Session 3: Approved for PRSS(-S)
Session 4: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Doulas
Session 5: Approved for PRSS(-S) and Prevention

Funding for this training 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, and by Washoe County through the One Nevada Agreement allocation of the Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (Grant #WOARF24-00003). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence, DHHS, or Washoe County.

From Homeless to Heard: Honest Stories and Strategies from Both Sides of the Work
2026-01-27 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
This webinar brings together the lived experience of individuals who have navigated homelessness and opioid use with the frontline perspectives of behavioral health professionals. This presentation blends personal narrative, community data, and practical strategies to illuminate how the opioid epidemic continues to shape the landscape of homelessness in Nevada. Participants will learn about the systemic and individual barriers that prevent people from accessing treatment, housing, and recovery supports. We will explore immediate, actionable steps along with system-level changes needed to create meaningful impact. The session moves beyond theory, offering real stories and solutions aimed at helping providers, community partners, and concerned community members become part of a more compassionate effective response.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will:

Integrate lived experience perspectives into an understanding of service delivery in our community.
Describe the connections between homelessness and opioid use in Nevada.
Identify barriers individuals face when accessing housing services and care.
Explore practical changes that enhance rapport while increasing advocacy opportunities to reshape our behavioral healthcare system.

Presented by:
Dr. Krista Hales, DBH LADC-S, Associate Director, EMPOWERED Program, Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Robert Banghart, Vice President of Community Integration, Shine A Light Foundation, Director of Community Engagement at Crossroads of Southern Nevada
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.

Navigating AI in Prevention: A Practical Guide for Professionals
2026-01-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual Event
2-Part Webinar Series!
As prevention professionals are asked to do more with limited time and resources, understanding how to thoughtfully use artificial intelligence (AI) can support more effective, efficient, and ethical work. This two-part series bridges the gap between emerging AI technologies and the daily realities of prevention. This series moves beyond technical jargon to provide a clear, decision-based framework for integrating AI. Participants will explore how to enhance community engagement and program efficiency while upholding the highest standards of data privacy and digital dignity.
Part 1: The AI Prevention Toolkit: Applications and Foundations
Part 2: Navigating AI Ethics: Decision-Making and Community Guardrails
Dates: January 26 & 28, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific
Format: Virtual Webinar Series

Part 2: Navigating AI Ethics: Decision-Making and Community Guardrails
This session pivots to the critical guardrails of AI. We will delve into ethical considerations – including privacy, bias, and compliance – specifically through the lens of digital dignity and stigma reduction in rural and underserved communities. Using a structured decision-making framework, participants will evaluate when to deploy AI and develop a roadmap for piloting these tools within their own organizations.
By the end of session 2, participants will be able to:

Recognize key ethical considerations before integrating AI into prevention practice, with a focus on privacy, compliance, and digital dignity.
Analyze the risks of algorithmic bias to ensure stigma reduction in communications tailored for rural and underserved communities.
Apply a decision-making framework to determine the appropriateness of AI tools for specific community-led prevention tasks.
Describe practical next steps for piloting and evaluating AI applications within their own organizations and local programs.

Who Should Participate:
Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.
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Dates & Times:
States & American Samoa
January 28, 2026
04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. Arizona
03:00 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. Pacific
01:00 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. Hawaii
12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m. American Samoa
Pacific Jurisdictions
January 29, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Republic of the Marshall Islands
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pohnpei and Kosrae
09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap
08:00 a.m. – 09:00 a.m. Republic of Palau
(view in your time zone)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Cost: FREE!
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Certificates of Attendance:
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1 hour for participating in each live webinar session.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
To Register:
Click here to register for Part 1: The AI Prevention Toolkit: Applications and Foundations
Click here to register for Part 2: Navigating AI Ethics: Decision-Making and Community Guardrails
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Questions:
Please contact Tyler Dean (tdean@casat.org) for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Clarissa Lam Yuen (clamyuen@casat.org).

Building Resilient Communities: Local Strategies to Combat the Opioid Crisis
2026-02-02 15:30 - 16:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Meeting
This webinar will explore how communities across the country are responding to the opioid epidemic with innovative, grassroots solutions. This session will highlight proven strategies for prevention, treatment access, and recovery support. Attendees will gain practical tools, hear real-world success stories, and leave them inspired to take action in their own communities.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will:

Understand the current landscape of the opioid crisis in communities
Learn about effective, community-driven strategies and programs
Discover tools and resources to implement or enhance local initiatives
Connect with others working on similar challenges

Intended Audience: Local leaders, healthcare providers, educators, community organizations, and community members.
Presentation Format: This session will take place in a Zoom meeting format. Participants will have access to camera and audio, though neither is required. For more information on the use of Zoom please visit the Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing Software section of our website
Presented by: Humberto Carvalho, MPH
Humberto Carvalho is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience leading domestic and international initiatives funded by the U.S. government. He holds a Master of Public Health Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the course of over 12 years at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Humberto played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and advancing key initiatives to promote mental health and substance use treatment and prevention.
Continuing Education Units: 1.25 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.
