In this episode, host Bianca D. McCall interviews Angel Lash, MS, LADC, CPC-I, Coordinator, Nevada 8th Judicial District Court, a mental health professional working within the justice system and leader of the innovative Lima Program in Las Vegas. They discuss Angel’s work in coordinating a program that partners with the Metropolitan Police Department in Las Vegas to help individuals experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health issues. They also discuss the importance of connection, empathy, and representation in serving vulnerable populations. Angel shares insights on how professionals can better serve the chronically unhoused population with substance use and mental health needs, emphasizing the need for communication, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.
Guest:
Angel Lash was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and move to the west coast in 2005 to play collegiate basketball while pursuing a college education. Angel played basketball at Cerro Coso Community College in a small desert town, Ridgecrest, CA. She earned an associate’s degree from Cerro Coso College in general education and obtained many athletic accolades such as team captain both years, all-conference, and was ranked as one of the top 10 forwards in the state of California. In 2017, Angel was inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame at Cerro Coso Community College. She is the only African American female athlete that has achieved this honor.
Angel transferred to UNLV and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada in fine arts film and earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. She currently holds several licenses in the state of Nevada; she is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Intern in the state of Nevada. Angel has worked in the behavioral health field for over a decade. She has worked in the private sector, non-profit, and with government agencies providing both direct services and indirect services assisting those adults and youth from addiction and mental health issues.
Angel is passionate about serving the underprivileged individuals and those impacted by the criminal justice system. She currently works under the 8th District Court umbrella as a Specialty Court Specialty coordinating care for a newer program in the Las Vegas community, Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health Addiction Diversion Program (LIMA Diversion Program) a partnership between Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the 8th Judicial District Court Program. The LIMA Diversion Program provides a voluntary pathway to recovery for individuals suffering from substance abuse issues, homelessness, and/or mental health issues. The LIMA Diversion Program helps move individuals away from the justice system without entering and works to address the individuals, addiction, and mental health challenges by connecting them to community partners to address their layers of needs. Angel has always had a huge heart to help people and serve her community. She took her passion to serve others and begin a career working with some of the most vulnerable individuals in the Las Vegas community. Since coordinating the LIMA Program Angel and the LIMA Program has receives high acknowledgement from the community of the positive impact Angel Lash and the LIMA Program are making in the Las Vegas community. In 2021 Angel Lash received an award from True Beginning (local non-profit) as a Community Shining Star and an award from LVMPD Behavioral Health Unit to recognize Angel’s exceptional dedication to the success of the LIMA Program.
Angel and the LIMA Program were nominated for The Is No Hero in Heroin’s community awards for several categories including, Hero of the Year, Boots on the Ground, and Crushing Stigma & Silos. On February 7, 2022, Angel Lash won TINHIH’s Boots on the Ground Award at the annual Black Monday
event which is the largest overdose prevention resource fair in Nevada. The LIMA Diversion Program was nominated again the following year in 2023 for the Crushing Stigma and Silos Award. In 2023, Angel Lash won Public Health Leader of the Year by Nevada’s Public Health Association.