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

Trends, Analysis & Threats Webinar Series
2025-09-03 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Project Echo Pain Management
2025-10-15 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-11-05 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-11-19 08:00 | 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

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.

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
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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.

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.

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.

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.

Trends, Analysis & Threats Webinar Series
2025-11-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event

Empowered Pathways: Addressing Opioid Use Across the Lifespan in Nevada — Session 1: Breaking the Silence Substance Use & Health Across the Lifespan
2025-11-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Meeting
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
November 19, 2025 – Compassionate Care Models Treating Families, Not Just Symptoms
December 3, 2025 – Justice and Advocacy Protecting Families in Crisis
December 10, 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 1 – November 5, 2025 – Breaking the Silence Substance Use & Health Across the Lifespan
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:

Examine Nevada-specific opioid use trends across the lifespan, from prenatal exposure to older adulthood.
Recognize maternal health as a critical indicator of broader systemic issues related to substance use.
Learn from personal testimonies of individuals in recovery across diverse age groups.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

Rural Nevada Community Health Fair
2025-11-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Fish Lake Community Center, Hwy 264 and Bluebird Lane, Dyer, NV, 89010
Join us for a community health fair to help build community resilience by connecting people with local assistance and raising awareness about the value of preventive health.

Participating vendors:

Managed Care Health Plans
Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Company Xceleration
Overdose education & Naloxone information
Nye Community Coalition
NAMI
AND MORE!

Download Event Flyer: Rural Health Fair Flyer (8.5 x 11 in)

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 | 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.

Nevada's Celebration of National Rural Health Day 2025
2025-11-20 02:00 - 17:00 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
