March 2026

Grow Your Career with the

Rooted & Rising Virtual Summit!

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Join BeHERE NV on Friday, April 10th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST for our free Rooted & Rising Virtual Summit! Hosted via Zoom, this half-day event is designed to give you the tools, guidance, and confidence you need to succeed, whether you are preparing to graduate or looking to transition into a brand-new field.

Attendees can customize their experience by choosing from three tailored learning tracks. Current college students can explore diverse careers and hear from recent grads, post-graduates and professionals will learn how to navigate licensing and job offers, and career explorers will discover how to leverage their existing life experiences into a behavioral health profession. Don't wait—save your spot today by registering HERE or by tapping the flyer!

01

BeHERE Scholars of the Month!

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 students at UNLV.

Laura Higuera’s path to becoming a counselor has been anything but ordinary. Now pursuing her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNLV, Laura’s journey began far from the classroom — in the vibrant, fast-paced world of Las Vegas casinos.

After moving to the United States from Costa Rica, Laura worked as a dealer and later as a floor supervisor. While managing games on the casino floor, she found herself doing something unexpected: listening. Guests often opened up to her, sharing stories of joy, struggle, and vulnerability. More than once, someone told her, “You should be a therapist.” What they didn’t know was that Laura already held a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Those meaningful exchanges reminded her where her true passion lay — not just across the blackjack table, but alongside the people sitting there.

Inspired by those experiences, Laura returned to school to pursue her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a focus on supporting individuals struggling with problem gambling. Having worked in downtown casinos, local properties, and luxury resorts on the Strip, she witnessed firsthand how gambling addiction can quietly affect anyone, regardless of background. She is especially committed to serving Spanish-speaking communities in Nevada, where bilingual problem gambling counselors are in high demand.

Receiving her scholarship has been life-changing. As someone who lives independently and manages all her financial responsibilities, the support has allowed her to enroll as a full-time student — accelerating her path toward becoming a licensed counselor. Free from the constant stress of accumulating debt, Laura can fully dedicate herself to her studies and clinical training, bringing culturally and linguistically responsive care one step closer to the communities that need it most.

Outside of school, Laura embraces creativity and connection. She loves exploring new places and restaurants, immersing herself in different cultures, and broadening her perspective. Music and dancing are also close to her heart — she believes music has the power to heal, uplift, and transform even the heaviest days. A creative spirit at heart, Laura enjoys designing in Canva and expressing herself through photography, capturing candid moments and genuine smiles that remind people of their own beauty.

From the casino floor to the counseling office, Laura’s journey reflects resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to helping others find hope and healing.

Breaking cycles and building stronger families is more than a career path for Sharica Lee—it is a calling rooted in lived experience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to generational healing. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Couple and Family Therapy, she is dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by parental substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Her passion for this work grew from her own story. After breaking a multi-generational cycle of substance abuse within her family, she felt compelled to help others create healthier paths forward. For Sharica, this work reflects both her purpose and her partnership with God as she strives to build resilience in children and equip families with tools to interrupt patterns that have affected generations.

Receiving this scholarship marks a meaningful milestone in Sharica's journey. Beyond financial assistance, it represents affirmation of the perseverance, faith, and determination that brought her to graduate school. It reassures her that she belongs in the behavioral health field and empowers her to focus fully on her first year of graduate study. With this support, Sharica can pursue meaningful learning and service opportunities that will prepare her for private practice while remaining mentally and financially grounded. The scholarship is helping set her on the right trajectory as she works toward strengthening families and communities through compassionate behavioral health care.



Outside of her studies, Sharica’s greatest joy is her family. She values intentional time with her husband, an Army veteran, and her 8-year-old daughter, whom she homeschools. Motherhood inspired her return to school after several years away and continues to motivate her pursuit of higher education. She finds deep meaning in serving as a positive role model while nurturing her daughter’s growth in mind, body, and spirit. These everyday moments reflect the same values that guide her professional path—resilience, faith, and a steadfast commitment to building a stronger future for the next generation.

02

Registration Open!

2 NEW BeHERE 2026 Camps

https://beherenv.org/bewell-camp/

BeHERE NV is pleased to announce the launch of our "Caring Communities Day Camp" - a one-day, experiential program for elementary students (grades 3-5). The camp will introduce children to wellness, community, and careers in the behavioral health field. The camp will include interactive stories, creative projects, movement-based wellness activities, time spent on a college campus and a field trip to an equine therapy program! Students will complete a project and families will receive take-home activities to continue conversations about behavioral health careers.

We are also pleased to announce our 2nd BeWELL overnight camp for high school students. The overnight camp will take place at the University of Nevada Reno and will feature a new "advanced" track for returning participants as well as select students from our state's Human & Social Service CTE programs. This year, participants will take a field trip to an equine therapy program and the camp will culminate in a final Career & Project Showcase open to families, friends, and stakeholders.

Scan the QR codes above to register!

03

Clinical Supervision Refresher Self-Paced Course - Register Now!

04

Free CME/CE Opportunity: Safe and Effective Pain Care

High Sierra AHEC, in partnership with the Pri-Med Institute, is offering a free, self-paced virtual course targeted toward prescribing providers in Nevada. Titled "Safe and Effective Pain Care - A Comprehensive Guide for Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care," this curriculum equips primary care clinicians with the practical guidance needed to accurately assess, diagnose, and treat pain. The training uses case studies to review a full spectrum of patient-centered pain management options, including nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies, risk reduction, recognizing signs of opioid dependence, and safe tapering practices.

This 4-hour virtual training is completely free, supported by an educational grant from the Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies. Upon completion, participants can earn 4 AMA PRA Credits™, 4 AANP Contact Hours, and 3 AANP Pharmacology Hours. Register for the training HERE.

05

Guinn Center's 2026 Policy Priorities Forum

Dr. Tricia Braxton (University of Nevada Reno Extension, NV State Board of Education) and Dr. Ashley Noel Pruitt (BeHERE NV) at the Guinn Center’s 2026 Policy Forum.

BeHERE’s Associate Director Dr. Ashley Noel Pruitt attended the Guinn Center's 2026 Policy Priorities Forum at the University of Nevada Reno Extension in Las Vegas. The interactive event brought together stakeholder voices to shape policy solutions for Nevada’s future, tackling pressing issues like education, housing, food insecurity and mental health. Check out the Guinn Center’s updated Nevada Briefing Book for policy considerations and research Here

06

BeHERE Supports Career Fairs @ UNLV & NECTA

On February 4th & 5th , BeHERE NV participated in another two-day career exploration event hosted by Junior Achievement (JA) of Southern Nevada at the UNLV Student Union. With over 1,000 middle and high school students in attendance, this major interactive exhibition gave local youth a hands-on opportunity to connect with industries and explore future career paths, supplemented by in person and virtual experiences.

The BeHERE team experienced fantastic engagement throughout the event. We were thrilled to see so many students stopping by our booth with thoughtful inquiries about pursuing careers in the mental health field. It is always an honor to help the next generation discover the rewarding possibilities within behavioral health.

BeHERE NV's Associate Directors, Dr. Roberta Miranda-Alfonzo and Dr. Jill Manit, visited Northeast Career & Technical Academy (NECTA) for another amazing career fair! The event was a success, drawing around 1,500 attendees. Over 400 students stopped by the BeHERE NV booth for one-on-one chats, asking inquisitive questions and showing genuine interest in the behavioral health field. The team was thrilled to provide them with great information and continue our proud partnership with the students at NECTA.

07

A Celebration of Mental Health @ UNLV!

The BeHERE NV team had an inspiring night on February 11th. While the UNLV Lady Rebels battled it out on the court in a fiercely competitive matchup against the Wyoming Cowgirls, there was another incredibly important event happening under the pavilion lights: Championing Mental Health.

During the event, BeHERE NV had the immense honor of being recognized alongside a dedicated group of UNLV mental health professionals. It was a profoundly moving experience to see mental health awareness take center stage in front of such an energetic and supportive crowd. Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health requires a true team effort, and standing alongside the amazing professionals at UNLV was a beautiful reminder of the strength we have when our community works together to support the well-being of our community.

08

Who Am I? A Mental Health Occupation Presentation

BeHERE's Administrative Assistant, Chris Rocket, and Associate Director, Dr. Roberta Miranda-Alfonzo, recently teamed up to deliver an incredibly interactive and fun-filled career presentation. They presented a dynamic slideshow, crafted by fellow Associate Director, Dr. Jill Manit, called "Who Am I". Who Am I is a presentation on various mental health careers and the paths needed to be taken to get there. Throughout the session, students were challenged to match specific job descriptions to the correct mental health occupations. The energy in the room was alive and the students were highly engaged, eagerly answering questions, and actively participating from the very first slide to the last. A majority of the students expressed a strong interest in pursuing career paths in social work, psychology, and psychiatry. Helping these students understand their potential and guiding them through the educational journeys required for these roles is exactly what BeHERE NV is all about!

09

MORE BeHERE in Action!

Leonardo Benavides Esq, UNLV Director of State Government Affairs and Community Engagement, and BeHERE's Dr. Ashley Noel Pruitt at the Vegas Chamber's 2026 Southern Nevada Forum. 


Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May discussing Health Care opportunities for Nevada.

Associate Director, Dr. Roberta Miranda-Alfonzo, was one the featured speakers for the UNLV Couple and Family Therapy Program applicant mixer. She was also joined by BeHERE team member and Graduate Assistant, Yuhan Bi.

With over 150 students registered to attend, BeHERE NV could not miss the 2026 UNLV Grad Fair! Administrative Assistant, Chris Rocket, and Associate Director, Dr. Roberta Miranda-Alfonso, were able to engage with and discuss the various behavioral health workforce opportunities with students.

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STAY UP TO DATE WITH US!

Stay up-to-date on our latest news by subscribing to our newsletter! Please share it with your network. We'll be posting monthly progress updates and more about BeHERE NV. You can also find past editions in the BeHERE NV newsletter section of our website.

Funding for BeHERE NV was made possible by Assembly Bill 37 (2023, 82nd Nevada Legislative Session) and the Nevada System of Higher Education