The Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE)

Trends, Analysis & Threats Webinar Series
2025-11-05 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

Project Echo Pain Management
2025-11-05 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-10-15 08:00 - 09:00 | 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

From Plant to Patient: Clinical Approaches to Kratom Consumption and Addiction
2025-10-30 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom Webinar
Kratom is a complex botanical with both opioid-like and stimulant properties, increasingly used in the U.S. for self-management of pain, as an opioid substitute, and for various mental health symptoms. While traditionally consumed for centuries in its natural form in its indigenous regions, commercially available kratom products in the U.S. are often variable in composition and potency, posing a greater risk of toxicity. Additionally, kratom use can lead to dependence, withdrawal, and in some cases, meet DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder.
With kratom use and harms being more common among individuals with substance use disorders, addiction psychiatrists must be equipped to assess and manage patients who consume kratom—whether for perceived therapeutic benefits or as part of an addictive pattern.
This workshop will provide an in-depth overview of kratom’s pharmacology, patterns of use, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Attendees will gain insight into how kratom differs from traditional opioids, its potential for addiction, and the complexities of withdrawal management. Practical strategies for patient engagement, harm reduction, and evidence-based treatment approaches will be discussed, with a focus on real-world clinical scenarios.
By the end of this session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to navigate kratom-related clinical challenges, including how to approach patients who consume kratom, recognize problematic use and addiction, and determine appropriate treatment interventions.
Learning Objectives:

Understand kratom’s literature, covering its uses, risks (overdose, addiction), and product toxicities.
Evaluate kratom’s role in harm reduction, distinguishing between evidence-based practices and misconceptions.
Implement evidence-based treatments for kratom addiction, facilitating informed discussions and effective interventions with patients.

Presented by: Cornel N. Stanciu, M.D., C.P.E., M.R.O., F.A.S.A.M., F.A.P.A.
Dr. Stanciu holds the position of Assistant Professor at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and serves as the Director of Addiction Services at New Hampshire Hospital.
His accolades include being a former Ruth Fox scholar and Governors Institute on Substance Abuse scholar. He was appointed by New Hampshire’s governor to the Board of Medicine, Medical Review Subcommittee, and by the DHHS’s commissioner to the state’s Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board. Additionally, he holds esteemed credentials as an ASAM and APA Fellow.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Stanciu has been actively engaged in academia, with a significant publication record on topics related to addictive disorders. He has led multiple studies focused on understanding the clinical implications of Kratom and has contributed to the development of treatment guidelines for Kratom addiction. His research findings have been disseminated through presentations at numerous conferences, live webinars, and citations in scholarly literature. He serves on the editorial boards of several reputable journals and has received numerous awards for excellence in research and clinical care.
Dr. Stanciu maintains active involvement in professional organizations such as the APA, ASAM, and AAAP, where he presently serves as the Chief Editor for AAAP’s newsletter.
Furthermore, his commitment to advancing knowledge in the field is evident through his publication of the book titled “Deciphering the Addicted Brain: A Guide to understanding and Helping a Loved One Towards Recovery”.
Continuing Education Units: 1 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.

Preventing Opioid Misuse and Opioid Overdose: Moving Upstream
2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
The “all hands on deck” call to address the opioid crisis has challenged our efforts to implement primary prevention that complements other efforts to address the crisis across the spectrum of behavioral health care services. This interactive webinar will explore ways to expand prevention to move our work more upstream–beyond preventing deaths from opioid overdoses to preventing the misuse that leads to those overdoses. This webinar will include an overview of national and Nevada data; the risk and protective factors associated with opioid misuse and overdose; and a range of promising and evidence-based strategies to consider as part of creating a comprehensive plan to move the work of prevention upstream. The webinar will also explore community mobilization strategies and ways to build additional partnerships.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Describe what is known in the research about risk and protective factors
associated with opioid misuse.
List a variety of interventions that prevent opioid misuse and overdoses.
List strategies that have strong evidence of effectiveness and those that have
emerging or promising evidence.

Presented by: Alyssa O’Hair MPH, MA, CPS; Michelle Frye-Spray MS, CPS; Britany Wiele CPS
Audience:
Anyone in Nevada interested in learning more about primary prevention of opioid misuse!
Continuing Education Hours: 1.5 hours
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.

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series — Session 2
2025-10-28 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 2: October 28, 2025 – Postpartum Period Through First Year
The first year after birth is a critical period for parents in recovery. This session highlights challenges and solutions for linking families to ongoing care, maintaining continuity across systems, and building family-centered support networks that strengthen parental recovery and infant wellbeing.
Learning Objectives:

Describe common challenges parents face in accessing postpartum and pediatric care.
Explore strategies for strengthening continuity of care across medical, behavioral health, and social service systems.
Apply family-centered approaches to support parental health and infant development.

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.

Hope in Action: Building Skills for a Resilient Tomorrow
2025-10-16 13:00 - 17:00 | 1862 David Walley’s, 2001 Foothill Road, Valley View Room (2nd floor), Genoa, NV, 2001 Foothill Road, Genoa, NV, United States
The Suicide Prevention Network invites you to Hope in Action: Building Skills for a Resilient Tomorrow, a 4-hour training event designed to strengthen those who strengthen others by protecting boundaries, restoring hope, building resilience, and fostering community. This training will cover key topics including Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and current trends, case management and referral practices, professional boundaries, and suicide prevention and intervention.
Who Should Attend?
Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Behavioral Health Specials, and all professionals in community health work.
Continuing Education Units: 4 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
Click to Register
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 1 – Nevada Overdose Landscape: Douglas County Spotlight

Presented by: Taylor Lensch, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Director, Larson Institute, University of Nevada, Reno
This 30-minute pre-recorded presentation, developed in collaboration with OD2A, provides an overview of the most current opioid use disorder (OUD) data and trends. The presentation focuses on the Quad Counties region to give participants the most relevant and localized information available. Attendees will gain insight into emerging patterns, recent data findings, and key considerations for prevention and response efforts in Nevada.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 2 – Navigating Opioid Use Disorder in Clinical Practice: Case Management, Referrals, and Professional Boundaries

Presented by: Jennifer Calloway Ross, Ph.D., Director, Community Behavioral Health Collaborative, University of Nevada, Reno
This 90-minute presentation provides essential knowledge and practical skills for working with clients experiencing opioid use disorder. Participants will learn evidence-based case management strategies, understand Nevada’s specific legal requirements for OUD referrals, and explore critical professional boundary considerations when treating clients with substance use disorders. Through interactive case studies and regulatory review, attendees will gain confidence in providing ethical, legally compliant, and clinically effective services within their scope of practice.
Learning Objectives:
By the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Develop competence in assessing for opioid use disorder in the context of DSM-5-TR criteria and determining appropriate care strategies
Demonstrate understanding of Nevada’s referral requirements for opioid use disorder as specified in Assembly Bill 156
Execute appropriate and timely referrals for medication-assisted treatment and specialized addiction services in accordance with Nevada law
Identify and maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with clients experiencing substance use disorders

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 3 – Suicide Prevention

Presented by: Misty Vaughan Allen, MA, Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention
This training equips mental health professionals with essential tools and strategies to effectively assess suicide risk, implement safety planning, and respond to crises with cultural sensitivity. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to suicide intervention, learn how to develop personalized safety plans, and deepen their understanding of cultural factors that influence suicide risk and prevention. Through interactive discussions and exploration of available tools, this session fosters confidence and competence in supporting a person with thoughts of suicide, while honoring diverse backgrounds.
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

Learn about suicide risk assessments using validated tools and clinical judgment to identify signs, risk factors, and protective factors.
Develop and implement safety plans tailored to individual needs, incorporating protective factors and support systems.
Apply crisis response strategies that prioritize client safety, de-escalation, and continuity of care.
Learn about culturally respectful and competent approaches to be more effective in recognizing how cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors impact suicide risk and intervention.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

2nd Annual United Natives MMIR Awareness Seminar Las Vegas
2025-10-16 08:00 - 17:00 | UNLV Student Union Hall, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, United States
Join us in Las Vegas for this critical summit designed for community, culture and crisis resolution.
The Annual MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives) Awareness Seminar unites advocates, leaders, and experts to confront this crisis in Native communities. Through focused panels, keynote talks, and community action, we honor victims, share solutions, and spark collaboration for justice, healing, and prevention. Hosted by United Natives, provider of FREE telehealth counseling in 15 states and growing, this event also raises critical funds to expand our lifesaving program to all 50 states. Join us in driving real change.

Listening Session: Opioid Use Disorder Impact in Special Populations Part 2: Birth, Beyond, and Across the Lifespan
2025-10-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Webinar
This second Listening Session continues our exploration of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in special populations, shifting the lens to the full lifespan. Building upon Part 1’s focus on youth and Tribal communities, Part 2 will examine the intergenerational and biological effects of opioid exposure from the womb through later life stages. Panelists will include a speech-language pathologist and lactation consultant working with opioid-exposed infants in neonatal care, a nutritionist exploring how OUD affects metabolism and nourishment, a biomedical engineer sharing technological approaches for assessing long-term developmental impact, and a gerontological expert addressing OUD in older adults.
Participants will engage in reflective and solution-oriented dialogue, addressing how biologically and socially mediated exposure to opioids shapes physical health, neurodevelopment, communication, and nutritional needs throughout life. Special attention will be given to underrepresented groups, such as neonates born with NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome), and elders with chronic pain, comorbidities, or long-term prescription opioid use.
This Listening Session supports national injury prevention goals and health equity initiatives by bridging narrative accounts, clinical observations, and systems-level insights to improve the responsiveness of behavioral health models across developmental stages.
Learning Objectives:

Analyze the long-term developmental and communicative effects of in-utero opioid exposure, including feeding, bonding, and neurobehavioral concerns.
Explain the connection between nutritional status, opioid use, and recovery outcomes, including vulnerabilities in both youth and aging populations.
Integrate lived and clinical experiences to inform developmentally sensitive, lifespan-informed, and equity-driven OUD intervention strategies.

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:

Anne R. Lindsay, PhD, FACSM
Dr. Lindsay is a Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Nevada Reno. She conducts research, assesses, identifies, and responds to public and behavioral health issues across the lifespan. She has conducted interdisciplinary health-related research approaches to help individuals in recovery with a focus on resilience and evidence-based programming addressing poor nutrition, eating pathology, physical inactivity, and body dissatisfaction to augment existing treatment for substance use in prisons and recovery centers. She serves as expert panel for the Pacific Southwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance project and conducts clinical trainings for the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies and Addiction Technology Transfer Center Networks. Dr. Lindsay has published several peer reviewed journal articles, fact sheets and creative audio-visual projects. A fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, she serves on numerous local/national committees, advisory boards and editorial panels; and has received several awards for her work.
Amy Thatcher, SLP
A passionate educator and advocate, Amy speaks on topics including neonatal feeding therapy, caregiver empowerment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in hospital settings. She is a member of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists. Amy is a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist and neonatal feeding specialist with over 15 years of clinical experience supporting medically fragile infants, including those born with opiate exposure. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she brings a rare blend of clinical precision, compassionate care, and leadership to her work in hospital-based neonatal therapy. Holding a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from the University of New Mexico, Amy has dedicated her career to advancing feeding outcomes for newborns with complex medical and neurological needs. Her expertise spans oral motor assessments, swallow evaluations, and individualized feeding interventions, with a specialized focus on infants affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Amy’s work is grounded in the belief that healing begins with connection—and that every infant and their family deserves a strong start supported by informed, compassionate care.
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: 2 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:

PRSS(-S)
Community Health Workers (CHW)
Doulas

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.

Vision Casting for the Primary Prevention of Opioid Misuse in Nevada - A Peer-Sharing Session
2025-10-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Meeting
We’re excited to introduce a brand-new resource through the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE): the Prevention Training and Technical Assistance program!
This isn’t a sit-and-listen webinar—it’s a collaborative working session designed for YOU. We want to hear what matters most when it comes to preventing opioid misuse in Nevada.
Bring your ideas, experiences, and favorite tools to share! Please be prepared to share:

Primary prevention interventions and awareness activities already happening in your community
Go-to resources that have worked well for you in your opioid misuse prevention work
The training and support you need most to level up your primary prevention work to
address opioid misuse

Your input will help shape the future of prevention training and technical assistance across the state. Let’s build this resource for Nevada together!
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.

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series — Session 1
2025-09-30 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 1: September 30, 2025 – Infant Health and Early Development
This session explores foundational infant health practices, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to preventive care for infants born to parents who use substances. Participants will examine strategies for promoting immunizations and screenings, addressing congenital syphilis, and advancing safe sleep practices through culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches.
Learning Objectives:

Identify core preventive health practices that support early development.
Recognize and address rising rates of congenital syphilis and related prevention strategies.
Apply principles of safe sleep promotion within the context of health equity.

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.

Narcan at Night 2025
2025-09-27 17:00 - 22:00 | 2330 Highland Dr, 2330 Highland Dr, Las Vegas, NV, 89102, United States
Narcan at Night is more than just an event—it’s a movement to save lives and uplift the community. Join us on Saturday, September 27th at 5:00 PM as we hit the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Las Vegas and the surrounding areas to distribute free overdose prevention and response kits. This is one of the largest Narcan distribution events in the country, and you can be part of it.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or completely new to harm reduction work, your time and energy can make a real difference. You’ll help educate people on how to respond in an overdose situation—because you never know when you might be the one who can save a life.
Expect an evening that’s energizing, inspiring, and surprisingly fun. We believe doing good should feel good, too. You’ll meet amazing people, walk the iconic Strip with purpose, and leave knowing you helped change lives—maybe even save them.

Nevada's Recovery and Prevention's 2025 R5k Run/Walk and Recovery Celebration
2025-09-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Idlewild Park’s Snowflake Pavilion, 1450 Idlewild Drive, Reno, NV, 89509, United States
Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community

Nevada’s Recovery and Prevention invites you to join us in celebrating Recovery Month by registering to attend our R5k Run/Walk & Recovery Celebration. September marks National Recovery Month which is observed to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can empower those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.
NRAP’s R5k Run/Walk & Recovery Celebration is held to promote community health and wellness, celebrate individuals in recovery, and reduce the stigma often associated with addiction. The R5k will provide an opportunity for participants to walk/run in honor of someone they know impacted by substance use, followed by a recovery celebration open to all community members. The post-race celebration is free and open to the public regardless of 5k participation. The celebration will include food, family activities, and local guest speakers and advocates who are in recovery. Community organizations will provide information on local services and present on relevant topics.

Download PDF Flyer: R5k25Flyer.pdf

Understanding Synthetics: K2, Spice, and the Emergence of Novel Cannabinoids
2025-09-25 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom Webinar
This one-hour workshop will provide an overview of new and emerging synthetic cannabinoids and their impacts. The session will incorporate identifying different types of cannabinoids, indicators of use, and trends within Nevada and across the country. In addition, participants will gain perspective on how synthetic cannabinoids may intersect with opioid use, including overlapping symptoms, risks of co-ingestion, and the role (and limitations) of naloxone.Participants will learn practical strategies and resources for managing unknown and novel synthetic substance use while understanding up-to-date information that will equip providers to implement effective approaches to engagement and care.
Learning Objectives:

Understand synthetic cannabinoids, including their origination, trends in use, and how K2 and spice have been used.
Be able to describe positive and negative effects of K2 and spice, including potential for overdose, and why the drugs are used.
Recognize the behavioral and physical signs of K2 and spice use and identify tools to use in screening, including considerations when opioids are present or co-used.

Presented by: Andrew Kurtz, MA, LMFT
Andrew Kurtz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been a Clinical Specialist with UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs since 2014 and is the Director of UCLA ISAP’s Pacific Mental Health Awareness Training project. Mr. Kurtz has previously served as a program director in community mental health, specializing in optimizing access to integrated services through a same-day assessment center. He has served as the lead of a nationally-recognized Trauma-Informed Care implementation that provided staff trainings and program design assistance to improve trauma services, including developing a one-of-a-kind wellness center focused on reducing barriers to accessing care for individuals exposed to traumatic events. Mr. Kurtz has been the instructor for the Fieldwork Practicum course in UCLA Extension’s Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate Program since 2017. Mr. Kurtz has a background in research on cognitive and behavioral interventions for the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia diagnoses.
Continuing Education Units: 1 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.

2025 Tribal Opioid Summit
2025-09-17 08:00 - 2025-09-18 17:00 | Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E 2nd St,, Reno, NV, 89595, United States
Join tribal leaders, healthcare providers, and community members for a powerful day of collaboration, education, and healing. The Washoe Tribe is taking bold steps to address the opioid crisis and build a healthier future through culturally grounded solutions and open dialogue.
This summit is open to Washoe Tribal community members, Tribal leaders, healthcare providers, public health professionals, and community advocates to discuss initiatives to address the opioid epidemic.

Trends, Analysis & Threats Webinar Series
2025-09-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom Webinar

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)
2025-08-31
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event to remember those who have lost their lives to overdose and to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the need for compassionate support, harm reduction efforts, and continued advocacy for those impacted by substance use. It’s an opportunity to honor lives lost, offer support to grieving families, and call for action to reduce stigma and prevent further tragedies. Join us in acknowledging the importance of overdose prevention and the need for continued education and community support.
Learn more: www.overdoseday.com

Every Second Counts: Recognizing and Responding to Opioid Overdose
2025-08-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
This webinar presentation is designed to provide essential knowledge about harm reduction and skills to prevent opioid overdose deaths. We will explore how we got here and current drug supply trends, including the prevalence of synthetic opioids, contamination with potent analogs, and emerging substances contributing to increased overdose risk.
The presentation will also highlight Good Samaritan laws, explaining legal protections for individuals who assist during an overdose emergency. Participants will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, such as slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, and discoloration, and understand how to differentiate these from other medical conditions.
Finally, provide step-by-step instruction on how to respond to an overdose, including the administration of naloxone (Narcan), rescue breathing, and aftercare until emergency services arrive. The training aims to empower individuals—whether community members, professionals, or people who use drugs—to act confidently and effectively in life-saving situations.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the webinar, attendees will be able to

Understand how opioid revival medication supports a harm reduction strategy and consider the role of stigma and personal bias in drug poisoning prevention.
Understand how to obtain and administer naloxone. Participants will understand how opioid revival medication works and how to access kits in their states/territories

Presenters:
Scott Walters, PhD, and Morgan Green, MA
Questions?
Contact PS ROTA-R staff at psrotar@casat.org.
Continuing Education:
This webinar has been approved for 1.5 continuing education hours through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP No. 6492. Participants must attend the live event to receive continuing education credits.
This course has also been approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.5 CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming. (This event applies to the following Counselor Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC: Legal, Ethical and Professional Development.)

Compassion as a Change Agent in Recovery
2025-08-26 14:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
Research has highlighted several important benefits to compassion-focused interventions, including improved outcomes in recovery-focused mental health services (Austin, Drossaert & Bohlmeijer, 2023; Mavituna et. al, 2023; Spandler & Stickley, 2011), reduction in internalized stigma and decrease in stigmatizing views of mental health treatment (Chan, Tsui, & Tang, 2023; Glazer, Oleson, Campoverde, & Berenson 2023; Riebel et. al, 2023), and effectiveness in treating individuals living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (Heriot-Maitland, et. Al, 2025; Mavituna et. al, 2023; Rivera, Fuentes-Ferrada, Krogh, & Langer, 2023). Education and training on compassion-focused interventions exists in VA, however such resources are underutilized, creating a learning gap around these resources and compassion-focused interventions.
The purpose of this live, virtual, knowledge-based training is to help bridge the learning gap for interprofessional healthcare teams by discussing the benefits for infusing compassion into work with Veterans, as well as sharing information about VA resources for further training and education on compassion-focused interventions. Participants will learn about Mindfulness Self Compassion (MSC) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and compassion will be highlighted as a change agent in psychosocial recovery. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a brief MSC experiential practice.
Audience: The primary target audience for this activity consists of Physicians, Nurses, Nurses, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Certified Counselors. The secondary target audience consists of peer support specialists.
Modality: Virtual Conference
Credit/Hours: 2.25 credit hours
Accreditations: ACCME/ACCME-NP, ANCC/CA BRN, ACPE, APA/NYSED-P, ASWB/NYSED-SW, NBCC, JA IPCE
Please be advised that there is a strict 15-day cut-off to request your CEUs.
Attendees must confirm your attendance in TMS after the webinar and complete the course evaluation in TMS NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 to receive CEUs.
Attendees must also complete RedCap: https://varedcap.rcp.vaec.va.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=XC8JJY74E8DLYYD9
Assistance with TMS Contact your local TMS administrator.
Program Questions: Ross.Melter2@va.gov
ILEAD POCs: Dawn.Palmer3@va.gov or Michaelle.Nascimento@va.gov
This course is jointly offered by the VISN21 – Sierra Pacific Network and the Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD). You received this announcement because of your likely interest in the content of the specific offering. Please forward this note to other VHA employees who might also be interested in this learning opportunity.
The Veterans Health Administration Institute for Learning, Education, and Development partners with clients in VHA’s program offices, Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and facilities to provide quality workforce education and training that facilitates excellence in health care for our nation’s Veterans. To learn more about ILEAD, click hereFor customer assistance, visit the ILEAD Help Center

IOAD 2025: No Stigma No Shame Speaker Night
2025-08-25 17:00 - 20:00 | National Automobile Museum, 1 Museum Dr., Reno, NV, 89501, United States
In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, join us for an inspiring event, hosted by Join Together Northern Nevada, where speakers discuss overcoming substance challenges, healing journeys, and finding hope for a brighter future.

Hear firsthand stories from individuals impacted by substance use
Learn about healing, harm reduction, and breaking the stigma
Connect with community partners and support resources
Tribute table and remembrance activities for lost loved ones

Together, through shared stories and open hearts, we can break the silence, honor those we’ve lost, and inspire lasting change in our community.

This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

2025 Southern Nevada Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit
2025-08-14 08:00 - 17:00 | UNLV Strip Pavilion, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, United States
Substance use and overdose prevention is a systemic issue that requires us to work across inter-related fields, including psychological health, trauma, disability, suicide, and violence. To effectively serve our community and clients, collaboration across programs, services, and funding sources is crucial, and a multidisciplinary approach is essential to address core issues and provide comprehensive, holistic services for individuals’ needs.
You are invited to join us for the 2025 Southern Nevada Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit, Harmonization: A block party on the corner of healing and collaboration, where everyone has a seat at the table. During this event, engage in thought-provoking discussions, participate in interactive workshops, and gain invaluable insights into how we all bring valuable ideas, perspectives, and knowledge to this work. By working together, we can reduce substance use and ultimately end overdose, fostering a healthier and safer community for all.
For more information about the summit and to register today, please visit https://bit.ly/SNSMOPS2025.
Download PDF flyer: 2025 Southern Nevada Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit

Prevention of Substance Use Among Youth in Rural Areas
2025-08-12 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Webinar
Preventing substance use among youth in rural areas requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the unique challenges they face, such as limited access to educational resources, healthcare, and recreational activities. In this webinar we will discuss strategies to address substance use among youth in Rural Areas.
Learning Objectives:

Discuss environmental, social, and economic factors that contribute to youth substance use.
Explore prevention strategies
Share practical ways attendees can implement prevention strategies in their communities.

Presenter:
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.
Questions?
Contact PS ROTA-R staff at psrotar@casat.org.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
This webinar has been approved for 1.5 continuing education hours through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP No. 6492. Participants must attend the live event to receive continuing education credits.
This course has also been approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.5 CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming. (This event applies to the following Counselor Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC: Counseling Services, Treatment Planning, Case Management, Discharge and Continuing Care, and Legal, Ethical and Professional Development.)

Moving the Needle? Nevada Health Workforce Legislation Recap
2025-08-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Join the Nevada Health Workforce Research Center (NHWRC) for the inaugural session of its new webinar series, Moving the Needle?, featuring a review of health workforce legislation from the 2025 session of the Nevada State Legislature.
Presented by Dr. John Packham, Associate Dean of the Office of Statewide Initiatives and Co-Director of NHWRC at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, this webinar will explore legislative outcomes and what they mean for the future of Nevada’s health workforce.
Related Resource:
Download the latest Health Workforce in Nevada (July 2025) report by Dr. Packham for deeper context on the data and trends driving these legislative efforts.
Click to Download PDF event flyer.

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care
2025-07-31 10:30 - 17:00 | Downtown Library Auditorium, 301 S. Center Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
You’re invited to a crucial one-day conference focused on increasing your knowledge of culturally effective, non-punitive, community based substance use services for pregnant and parenting individuals who use drugs, their infants, and their families.
This in-person event addresses the critical need for better access to appropriate substance use, physical, and mental health services. We aim to enhance the overall well-being of parents and infants, improve their diets, and support family preservation. It will be followed-up by 5 virtual sessions to dive deeper into the topics.
Join us as we work to expand your understanding of effective substance use interventions, coordinate care, and foster partnerships to improve well-being and outcomes through culturally and linguistically effective, evidence-informed, community-based, non-judgmental, and non-punitive services for individuals of childbearing ability and those who are pregnant. This conference marks the beginning of a vital effort to make a real difference by equipping you with essential knowledge in the field of substance use services.
Learning Objectives:

Identify and correct common myths and misconceptions about substance use during pregnancy, including the historical roots and impacts of stigmatizing narratives such as the “crack baby” myth.
Describe evidence-based, non-punitive approaches to supporting families affected by substance use, including alternatives to automatic reporting, harm reduction strategies, and effective linkage to care.
Apply practical tools for data collection, analysis, and collaboration that center family wellbeing, using both quantitative and qualitative measures to assess progress and inform care in real time.

Presented by:

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:
This training is approved for six (6) continuing education units continuing education by the boards listed here.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence / CASAT. The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This program meets the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners’ requirement for 2 hours of training related to the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, the prescribing of opioids, or addiction during each licensure period.
Continuing Education Credit
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine approves this program for 4.00 hours of nursing continuing education credit. Nevada State Board of Nursing provider number 120894-1.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine is a provider of continuing education credit through the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. This program is approved for 4.00 hours of continuing education credit for pharmacists.
Funding Source & Disclaimer
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.

The Power of Purpose: Sustaining Meaning in Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Work
2025-07-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Webinar
In the fast-paced and emotionally demanding fields of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery, clinicians can lose touch with the sense of purpose that drew them to this work. This 90-minute webinar offers space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. Grounded in research on clinician well-being, participants will explore how cultivating a sense of purpose can protect against burnout, enhance resilience, and sustain long-term engagement in the field.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the webinar, attendees will be able to

Describe the connection between purpose and clinician well-being, including how meaning-making can buffer against burnout and compassion fatigue.
Reflect on personal values and motivations that contribute to a sense of meaning in their clinical work.
Identify one intentional practice or mindset shift to help reconnect with purpose in daily professional life.

Presenter:
Heather Haslem, MS, Senior Workforce Development Coordinator, CASAT, University of Nevada, Reno
Questions?
Contact PS ROTA-R staff at psrotar@casat.org.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:
This webinar has been approved for 1.5 continuing education hours through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP No. 6492. Participants must attend the live event to receive continuing education credits.
This course has also been approved by CASAT, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.5 CEUs. NAADAC Provider #98165. CASAT is responsible for all aspects of its programming. (This event applies to the following Counselor Skill Groups as defined by NAADAC: Legal, Ethical and Professional Development.)

Opioid Use Disorder in Adolescents: Medications, Evidence-Based Practices, and Family Support
2025-07-24 09:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Webinar
Learn essential skills pertaining to working with adolescents affected by opioid use disorder in this foundational training. Gain proficiency in understanding medications for opioid use disorder, communicating with families about opioid use disorder and treatment options, tailored to fit the needs of young individuals. Stay ahead of the curve with insights into current opioid trends among adolescents and practices that you can implement immediately.
Learning Objectives:

Identify and understand evidence-based medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, including their efficacy and current trends for the adolescent population.
Develop effective communication strategies for engaging with families and loved ones of individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, including techniques for providing support and explaining treatment options.
Analyze current trends and patterns in opioid use among adolescents, including factors contributing to risk for overdose, patterns of use, strategies for intervention and harm reduction tailored to this population.

Presenters: Amanda Hankins, CADC, CADC-S, Crystal Jaquette, MA, LMFT and Mark Disselkoen, MSSW, LCSW, LCADC
Continuing Education Units: 4 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.

What is Gendered Healthcare — from ED to Menopause
2025-07-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Meeting
Join High Sierra AHEC and Jay Cafferata, MA, CDE, for an engaging session exploring how gender impacts healthcare experiences and outcomes. This training will cover the significance of gender in medical care, the concept of dimorphic human bodies, and how healthcare systems treat individuals based on gender. Part of the Non-Clinical Training Series (Unit 7), this session is open to all professionals interested in inclusive and informed care practices.
Topics of discussion listed are:

Gender matters in healthcare
Dimorphic human bodies
How medicine treats people through their gender

Healthcare: Executive Order or State Law
2025-06-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Meeting
High Sierra AHEC is excited to announce an upcoming webinar opportunity with Jay Cafferata on Thursday, June 26th, “Healthcare: Executive Order or State Law.” During this webinar Jay will discuss executive orders and state law as they impact healthcare.
This webinar is designed for:

Healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, social workers, etc.) working in rural and frontier settings
Healthcare administrators and policymakers
Community health workers and other frontline staff
Students in healthcare-related fields
Anyone interested in improving health equity in rural and frontier communities

Please use the QR code above or click the link below to register for the training on June 26th, 2025 from 4 pm to 5 pm.
Please email info@nvculturalcompetency.com or jay@highsierraahec.org for any questions or for more information.

Sustainability: Beyond the Status Quo
2025-06-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Webinar
Session Description
In today’s uncertain world, community partners must come together to share strengths, support one another, and co-create lasting solutions. Join us for an interactive learning session discussing how communities, agencies, and prevention can sustain positive outcomes beyond what has traditionally been done. The 90-minute learning session will include breakouts, resources, examples, and networking opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to spark new ideas and strengthen your impact.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this learning session, participants will have:

Connected with new peers to network with and work with
Identified diverse funding sources and located potential opportunities
Identified strategic revisions to action plans while sustaining progress towards positive outcomes

Optional Office Hours:
Do you have more questions or concerns about sustainability? Do you need specific ideas to move your organization’s or community’s sustainability efforts beyond the status quo? Join our live learning session and gain access to our drop-in Office Hours on July 9 and 16 (July 10 and 17 for most Pacific Jurisdictions) with Susannah Burt, where you can ask questions, receive personalized answers, and discover fresh ideas to enhance your work! No registration is needed. Zoom links will be emailed to those who participate in the live event following the learning session. No certificates of participation are available for office hours.
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.
Presenter
Susannah Burt has been working in Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Prevention since 2001. She has implemented the Strategic Prevention Framework since 2003 and has trained on the model since 2006. Professionally, it has been part of her responsibility to work with the evaluators and review data for state and local communities for assessments. She has worked to develop an evaluation plan for environmental strategies, including policies and campaigns. Ms. Burt is currently working on securing ongoing private and public funding for coalitions in her local area. Ms. Burt currently sits on her local Communities that Care coalition in Utah. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Weber State University and works for Weber Human Services.
Dates & Times
States & American Samoa
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
03:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m. Pacific
12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m. Hawaii
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. American Samoa
Pacific Jurisdictions
Thursday, June 26, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Republic of the Marshall Islands
09:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pohnpei and Kosrae
08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap
07:00 a.m. – 08:30 a.m. Republic of Palau
Cost: Free!

Certificates of Attendance
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in the live learning session event.
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).

Stimulant Use Disorder ECHO Series
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting
Cohort based program | 12-1 p.m.
This program aims to support healthcare and mental health providers, staff, and administrators with stimulant use disorder patient care. Sessions will be facilitated with a team from Northern Nevada HOPES and will provide a forum to discuss patient cases, address questions/concerns and collaborate regarding stimulant use disorder therapy.
Series Schedule/Topics:

June 18, 2025 – Session #1: Orientation to Stimulant Use Disorder
June 25, 2025 – Session #2: Neurobiology of Stimulant Use Disorders
July 2, 2025 – Session #3: Medications Used in Stimulant Disorders
July 9, 2025 – Session #4: Resources in Nevada
July 16, 2025 – Session #5: Special Populations – How to Have the Conversation
July 23, 2025 – Session #6: Flex Topic (to be determined by audience)

Register for more information: https://unrmed.formstack.com/forms/echo_sign_in?title=Stimulant%20Use%20Disorder
Presented by:

Mark Broadhead, M.D. Dr. Broadhead received his medical degree from University of Nevada School of Medicine in 1986 and has been in practice for more than 30 years.
Danica Pierce, MSW, LCSW. Danica is a native Nevadan, born and raised in the Reno-Sparks area. She received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno. Danica is a licensed clinical social worker. She specializes in treating people who struggle with co-occurring mental health and substance-use disorders. She is the Program Coordinator for the Medication Assisted Treatment (MATx) Program at Northern Nevada HOPES.
Kim Nischik, MS, PA-C. Kim received her Master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Pacific University in OR. She works at Northern NV Hopes for the MAT program and also works as a primary care provider in adult medicine.
Taylor Tomlinson, MD. Dr. Tomlinson received her medical degree from the University of Nevada and is board certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She provides primary care for all ages and and is on the MAT team at Northern Nevada HOPES.
Cheryl Nixon, Peer Support Specialist. Cheryl Nixon has been a Peer Support Specialist since 2018. Cheryl is a person in recovery that loves giving back to the recovery community. During this time Cheryl has worked alongside Washoe County Crossroads Women and Children program. In 2020 Cheryl became Certified by the state of NV as a CPRSS lic # PRSS-5063 and currently is work at Northern NV Hopes as a Peer in the MAT clinic.

To request copies of didactics and reference materials, please contact: Projectecho@med.unr.edu

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accreditation
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical
Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine approves this program for 1.0 hour of nursing continuing education credit. Nevada State Board of Nursing provider number 120894-1.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine is a provider of continuing education credit through the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. This program is approved for 1.00 hours of continuing education credit for pharmacists.
