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Addressing ACEs and Building Resilience to Prevent Substance Use
Reno, Nevada - USA- September 7, 2019: Spectators watch the Balloons during the Reno Balloon Races at Rancho San Rafael Park. A free event that has gone on for 38 years.

Addressing ACEs and Building Resilience to Prevent Substance Use

Nevada continues to face the devastating effects of the opioid crisis, with rising overdose rates, increasing co-occurring mental health challenges, and significant health disparities across communities. The Nevada Opioid Needs Assessment and Statewide Plan identifies Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—such as trauma, neglect, or family instability—as major risk factors for substance use, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose. Research shows that early exposure to stress and adversity increases the likelihood of opioid misuse and long-term health challenges, making prevention and early intervention essential. The plan highlights the need for resilience-building strategies, including family-centered programs, trauma-informed care, and community-based prevention efforts, to help individuals and families develop healthier ways to cope with adversity and break the cycle of addiction.

A New Learning Opportunity: Resiliency-Informed Strategies for Preventing Substance Use and ACEs

In alignment with this statewide commitment to prevention and resilience, the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence is please to announce the launch of the Resiliency-Informed Substance Use Prevention Learning Series. This 6-part virtual webinar series aims to equip students and professionals with resiliency-informed strategies that promote holistic healing and community-based substance use prevention. Each expert-led session combines evidence-informed research, best practices & emerging trends with interactive skill-building and storytelling to engage participants on the critical intersection of mental health, substance use, trauma and what we as a community can do to address and prevent root causes through wellness.

Through this series, participants will:

  • Understand the impact of ACEs and childhood trauma on substance use risk
  • Learn how resilience-building strategies can prevent substance use and improve well-being
  • Explore trauma-informed and community-based approaches to prevention
  • Gain practical tools to integrate resiliency practices into their work and daily life

Webinar Schedule and Registration

Tuesdays at 11:00 AM | Starting April 18, 2025

Each session has its own registration—click a session title below to sign up for one or more! Participation in the full series is not required for continuing education.

*CRM training requires interactive virtual participation and attendance at both sessions. Space is limited!

Who Should Attend?

Everyone benefits from resiliency building and wellness skills! This free webinar series is open to:

  • Behavioral health professionals
  • Healthcare and frontline workers
  • Community-based organizations
  • Nonprofit leaders and community advocates
  • Educators, students, and interns
  • Family and human services providers

While this series was designed with the healthcare workforce in mind, anyone with a desire to serve their community through prevention is welcome to attend.

Meet the Presenters: Champions for Resilience and Recovery

This session is presented by Cammie Wolf Rice, CEO and Founder of the Christopher Wolf Crusade (CWC Alliance), and Fabricia Prado, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and trauma specialist.

Cammie Wolf Rice is a renowned author, activist, and speaker dedicated to ending the Opioid Epidemic. After the tragic loss of her son Christopher in 2016, Cammie turned her pain into purpose by founding CWC Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to substance use prevention by empowering individuals to lead safer, healthier, and more resilient lives through opioid education, mental wellness support, and effective pain management strategies. Cammie is the author of The Flight: My Opioid Journey a memoir detailing her personal and transformative journey through the opioid crisis, a testament to her resilience and commitment to advocacy.

Fabricia Prado, LCSW is a trilingual clinician, speaker, and trainer specializing in trauma treatment, ACEs, and resilience building. She is the founder of Prado Counseling and Consulting and a certified Community Resiliency Model (CRM) teacher. With expertise in EMDR, mindfulness, and trauma-sensitive approaches, she provides trauma-informed training and practical interventions to support healing and resilience.

Register Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable skills, knowledge, and tools to support substance use prevention and resilience-building in Nevada. Register now and be part of the movement toward healthier, stronger communities!