January 2026

WELCOME TO BeHERE NV!

The Behavioral Health Education, Retention, and Expansion Network of Nevada (BeHERE NV) is a new workforce development initiative to increase the number of providers of behavioral health care in Nevada. In 2023, the Nevada Legislature unanimously passed Assembly Bill 37 to create a statewide behavioral health workforce development center within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). In September 2023, the NSHE Board of Regents designated the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) to serve as the administrative hub for BeHERE NV and to build connections across the state.

IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

NV HEAL Program is BACK! 01

BeHERE Advanced Scholarship Recipients 02

RBT Credential Approved in Nevada 03

NECTA Human & Social Services Students Explore Pathways 04

Team Spotlight! 05

NRTRC Launches Virtual Telehealth Map 06

BeHERE NV in Action 07

We have so much to share! Be sure to click on "View Entire Message" to see all of this month's content.

Nevada HEAL Program:

2026 Application Window Opening Soon

The Nevada Health Equity and Loan Assistance (HEAL) Program, administered by the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office, will open its 2026 application cycle on January 19, 2026. The HEAL Program is a state-funded student loan repayment initiative designed to recruit and retain healthcare professionals who commit to serving rural and underserved urban communities across Nevada.

Eligible providers who are licensed, certified, or registered in good standing in Nevada and commit to five years of full-time clinical practice may qualify for student loan repayment ranging from $15,000 to $120,000, depending on provider type. Notably, eligibility has expanded following the 2025 legislative session, allowing additional provider types to participate.

Applications will be accepted from January 19 through February 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The State Treasurer’s Office will also host a series of virtual informational webinars to guide applicants through the process. Program details, FAQs, eligibility requirements, and application materials can be found via the links provided.

For questions or additional information, applicants may contact NV-HEAL@NevadaTreasurer.Gov

More information for the Nevada HEAL Program here!

Featured BeHERE Advanced Scholarship Recipients!

BeHERE NV was fortunate in 2024 to receive funding for scholarships from the Nevada Department of Health and Humans Services through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Nevada Health Workforce Pipeline Grant (SG-2024-00437). Over the past year, we have featured a BeHERE Scholar of the month. We are please to announce that we are funding 12 additional graduate students this academic year! This month we introduce you to a student at UNR.

Gina Tarantino

Gina Tarantino, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), found her academic calling in psychology through a transformative experience in her General Psychology course at Truckee Meadows Community College. Taught by Dr. Paula Frioli, the class introduced foundational psychological theories, research methods, and the neuroscience behind human behavior. The connection between brain function and observable behavior immediately captured Gina’s interest. Dr. Frioli’s engaging teaching style and depth of knowledge sparked Gina’s first true academic passion—so much so that it was the first textbook she ever read cover to cover. That moment solidified her decision to pursue psychology.

Now continuing her studies at UNR, Gina is preparing for a future in behavioral health with a focus on Marriage, Family, and Couples Therapy. The BeHERE NV Scholarship is playing a pivotal role in shaping that future by reducing the financial burden of graduate education and allowing her to focus fully on her training. More importantly, the scholarship has strengthened her commitment to service. Gina hopes to provide pro bono and low-cost mental health services to underserved populations, with a special dedication to Nevada’s Indigenous communities, including the Paiute, Washoe, and Shoshone peoples. Her native relatives have provided invaluable support, and she has a deep and enduring commitment to be of service to them. Gina's long-term goal is to establish a private clinical practice that offers accessible, culturally responsive, and high-quality care.

Outside of her academic work, Gina is deeply engaged in the visual arts, particularly ceramics. Her return to higher education at the age of 25 was informed by her desire to demonstrate that the artist and the academic do not have to be in opposition. These personality traits and disciplines can coexist in a harmonious way. Gina earned a minor in ceramics during her undergraduate studies and has worked as a professional artist for nearly fifteen years. Maintaining a home ceramics studio, she views working with clay as both a creative outlet and a healing practice. Mentored by Becky Bogard at the University of Nevada, Reno, Gina continues to blend her identities as both artist and scholar, hoping to inspire others to explore creativity as a pathway to self-discovery, balance, and well-being.

RBT Credential Approved for Nevada’s Industry-Recognized Credential List

By: Jill Manit, PhD, MSW

Associate Director of Education & Training

Northeast Career & Technical Academy (NECTA), Human & Social Services CTE Sophomores at UNLV

(see below).

This past month BeHERE NV submitted an application for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential to be included on Nevada’s Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) list, and we are pleased to share that it has been approved by the Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN). The RBT will appear on Nevada’s updated IRC list as of December 30.

We appreciate our partners at the Nevada Department of Education’s CTE Office and Nevada Volunteers for their collaboration throughout the process, and we commend OWINN for a clear, efficient application process and quick turnaround time. We also appreciate the support of the RBT program at College of Southern Nevada and the Nevada ABA Board for helping us to understand this important credential.

Adding the RBT to Nevada’s IRC list marks an important step for behavioral health workforce development, supporting stackable career pathways, stronger alignment between education and employment, and the growth of Nevada’s in-state behavioral health workforce.

Learn more about the RBT credential:

Nevada Association for Behavioral Analysis

Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board

Learn more about the Nevada Industry Recognized Credentials:

OWINN Nevada Industry Recognized Credentials

NECTA Human & Social Services CTE Sophomores Explore Behavioral Health Pathways

On December 12, sophomores from the Human & Social Services CTE program at the Northeast Career & Technical Academy (NECTA) program visited the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for a campus-based exploration and to learn more about behavioral health careers. The visit is the result of BeHERE NV's close partnership with NECTA and highlights the value of CTE programs focused on behavioral health.

Special thanks and kudos to the partners who made the day possible: Cedric Thompson (HSS Teacher @ NECTA), Devan Harris (UNLV Early Outreach), Alondra Maldonado (UNLV Admissions), Frances Young (BSW; UNLV Program Coordinator), and UNLV Couple & Family Counseling graduate students Yuhan and Betty, whose engagement and mentorship helped bring the experience to life for students.

UNLV Admissions Overview

Students heard from their designated UNLV Admissions Counselor about college pathways, application basics, campus life, and the academic supports available to help them succeed after high school.

Academic Programs & Career Pathways

Frances Young, BSW; UNLV Program Coordinator, and graduate students, Yuhan and Betty, shared their experiences in behavioral health programs, discussed choosing an academic pathway, and highlighted how undergraduate and graduate degrees lead to careers in helping professions.

Campus Tour, College Lingo & Dining Commons

Students toured key UNLV campus spaces, learned common college terms such as major, minor, undergraduate, and graduate, and experienced daily college life with lunch in the Dining Commons—a highlight of the visit.

Team Spotlight: Dr. Ashley Pruitt

BeHERE NV is proud to highlight Ashley Pruitt, Associate Director of Technical Assistance and Policy, who was recently featured in a UNLV article for her innovative work connecting academic coursework to real-world solutions that benefit Nevada’s children and families. Her leadership and commitment to community-driven impact reflect BeHERE NV’s mission to strengthen education pathways and improve outcomes statewide. Read More Here!

Explore the Find Telehealth Map:

Expanding Access to Virtual Care

The Find Telehealth Map, developed by the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC), is a powerful tool designed to improve access to virtual and in-person healthcare services. This user-friendly, online map helps individuals and providers quickly locate telehealth-enabled facilities, in-person care options, and Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) by entering an address or ZIP code and selecting preferences such as visit type, provider specialty, and search radius.

TAPs (public locations equipped with internet access, devices, and private space) are available nationwide and support individuals who may not have reliable access to technology at home. While healthcare providers are currently mapped in select states, TAPs can be searched across the country. Healthcare organizations offering telehealth or in-person services in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Nevada are encouraged to ensure their information is listed and up to date. Organizations that operate or are interested in establishing a Telehealth Access Point can also contribute by adding their locations to the map and exploring best practices for TAP development.

To explore the map or learn more, visit FindTeleHealth.nrtrc.org.

December BeHERE Action!

(Photo from Left to Right) BeHERE NV's Administrative Assistant, Chris Rocket; Associate Director of Education and Training, Jill Manit; Executive Director, Sara Hunt; and Graduate Assistant, Yuhan Bi, attended the State of The Medical School Address & Open House at UNLV's Medical Education Building. As part of the Open House, BeHERE was able to join other programs in the Department of Psychiatry to share information about our initiatives with attendees. Joining the team on the projection screen is Roberta Miranda-Alfonzo, Associate Director of Recruitment and Outreach, in a photo from UNLV's Fall First-Gen Boot Camp.

BeHERE NV was delighted to join a block party as part of UNLV's 27th Annual Economic Summit & Student Leadership Conference on December 13th. This event provided local middle and high school students and their families with direct access to colleges, trade programs, youth initiatives, and other valuable community resources.

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