January 2025

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.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PRE-LEGISLATIVE SESSION WEBINAR SERIES

Are you preparing for the upcoming legislative session, or even just want to learn more about the current status of Nevada’s behavioral health systems? If so, join this FREE webinar series available throughout January 2025!

The Regional Behavioral Health Policy Boards, the Nevada Public Health Association (NPHA) Advocacy and Policy Committee, and the Behavioral Health Association of Nevada have teamed up to bring you state and local subject-matter experts to speak on various aspects of the current and planned behavioral health system. The purpose of these webinars is to help interested persons learn more about substance use, mental health, and other aspects of the behavioral health systems to help them prepare for the legislative session. However, these webinars are appropriate for persons who are also just wanting to learn more about what is going on across the state.

Current webinars include:

January 13th: Statewide Substance Use System Update - Overview of Federal Funding Streams

January 15th: Statewide Opioid and Substance Use System Update - Current State Programs

January 17th: Statewide Opioid and Substance Use System Update - Future State Programs

January 27th: Advocacy 101 - Engaging in the Legislative Process

January 31st: Reading, Understanding, and Using State Budgets for Advocacy

All webinars are held from 12:00pm (noon) to 12:45pm for your convenience.

More sessions are in the works, so keep an eye out for updates!

To learn more and to register, visit the series site at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/nevada-bh-pre-legislative-session-webinar-series-3934713

Kris Mendoza

UNLV School of Social Work

Kris is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis on Direct Practice. He has always felt a strong pull toward micro-level work, particularly in therapy, and initially considered routes like CFT/MFT. However, social work resonates with him on a deeper level because it confronts issues that are very important to him, such as oppression, discrimination, and social injustice. His decision was solidified by a few personal experiences with social workers, which deepened his understanding of the impact this field can have on individuals' lives.

The BeHERE scholarship will cover Kris’s entire degree, bringing him significant relief. This financial support allows him to focus fully on his education without the stress of financial strain. Beyond the immediate benefits, he believes it will provide peace of mind as he starts his career, enabling him to be fully present and engaged while working with clients. Freed from economic worries, Kris feels more confident in pursuing his dream of opening a small practice, potentially achieving that goal much sooner than he had anticipated.

When Kris first learned about the scholarship, his initial reaction was disbelief. He thought it might be a prank or a scam, especially since he had been so busy that he had forgotten he even applied. It took about a week, along with a conversation with his academic advisor, for the reality to truly sink in. Once it did, he was overwhelmed with emotion and found himself crying, as this kind of opportunity had never happened to him before. Even now, he still can't believe it.

Like many, Kris has always had a passion for music. He occasionally writes silly, comedic songs and enjoys creating guitar sheet music and tablature. He loves listening to complex songs and figuring out the exact notes being played. Reading is another favorite pastime for him; he enjoys discovering niche authors like Jacques Ellul. Recently, he finished Anarchy and Christianity, which he found to be quite illuminating.

Aileen Y. Lovitt, Ph.D.

Data Analyst

Dr. Aileen Y. Lovitt (also known as Allie) is the Data Analyst for BeHERE NV, where she leads data initiatives that enhance behavioral health services and strengthen data-driven strategies to address mental health and wellness across Nevada. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with expertise in research methods, inferential statistics, and program evaluation. Her research background includes a focus on stereotyping and racial bias, which informs her commitment to equity and culturally responsive practices in data analysis and program evaluation.

A multiracial Nevadan and proud member of the Te-Moak Band of Western Shoshone, Dr. Lovitt was born and raised in the state and has family ties spanning its diverse communities. Her deep connection to Nevada fuels her passion for improving behavioral health outcomes in her home state.



Before joining BeHERE NV, Dr. Lovitt worked as a data analyst and program evaluation consultant for nonprofit organizations, specializing in evidence-based evaluation frameworks, complex data analysis, and actionable reporting to drive program effectiveness. Her experience includes designing customized survey instruments, assessing program impacts, and translating data insights into accessible narratives for diverse stakeholders.

When she’s not analyzing data, Allie enjoys reading, playing slow-pitch softball, and spending time with friends and family.

Sarah Y. T. Hartzell, Ph.D.

Regional Coordinator

Dr. Sarah Hartzell is the Regional Coordinator for BeHERE NV. She has a Ph.D. in Public Health and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno. Before returning to UNR for her Ph.D., Dr. Hartzell worked in the behavioral health field, running a day treatment program for adults living with severe mental illness and overseeing the work completed by psychosocial rehabilitation workers in the community. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for NAMI Northern Nevada for over 5 years.

Dr. Hartzell was born and raised in Alaska and witnessed first-hand the impacts living in a rural location can have. Additionally, Alaska presented a unique environment that created potential hardships on people’s well-being – including the long, dark, and cold winter days. This perspective and Dr. Hartzell’s previous experience in the mental health field shaped her work at UNR. During her Ph.D. program, Dr. Hartzell worked on various projects, including research examining the opioid epidemic in Nevada, mental health impacts from COVID-19 on UNR students, COVID-19 impacts on the growth of telemedicine in rural locations, and other behavioral health topics. Her dissertation examined the impact of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on the development of new behavioral health diagnoses and suicide attempts in the United States. 

Dr. Hartzell is passionate about improving the behavioral health services offered in Nevada and is excited to work on projects geared toward expanding the behavioral health workforce in the state. Outside of work, Dr. Hartzell enjoys spending time with her husband, their two young children, and their two dogs! She also can be found enjoying a Disney movie and planning out her next run.

NEVADA HEALTH EQUITY & LOAN ASSISTANCE (HEAL) PROGRAM

On Monday, January 13th the Nevada State Treasury will be announcing the launch of the Nevada Health Equity & Loan Assistance (HEAL) Program.

The Nevada HEAL Program will reward healthcare providers who choose to practice in Nevada, by providing up to $120,000 in student loan repayment in exchange for committing to serve in an underserved community.

In order to be eligible for the Nevada HEAL Program, a provider must:

Be a resident of the State of Nevada;

Work in an eligible healthcare profession;

Be licensed, certified, and/or registered to practice in Nevada; and

Commit to practicing in an underserved community in Nevada for at least 5 years.

This program is available to the following health care professions:

Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians;

Associates in Social Work;

Audiologists;

Clinical Professional Counselors;

Clinical Social Workers;

Dentists;

Doulas;

Emergency Medical Technicians;

Licensed Nurses;

Licensed attendant;

Master Social Workers;

Midwives;

Optometrists;

Paramedics;

Perfusionists;

Pharmacists;

Pharmacy Technicians;

Physicians;

Physician Assistants;

Podiatric Physicians;

Practitioners of Respiratory Care;

Psychologists; and

Social Workers.

The Nevada HEAL Program will be formally announced on Monday, January 13th and applications from health care providers will be accepted beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15th. The application window for this year’s cohort of awards will last for 30 days and will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 13th.

Ashley Noel Pruitt of BeHERE NV with Gard Jameson of Compassionate Las Vegas

Our Associate Director of Technical Assistance and Policy, Ashley Noel Pruitt, is participating in the 2025 Jameson Fellowship of Compassionate Las Vegas, joining an exceptional cohort of community leaders. This fellowship brings together diverse leaders each year to foster collaboration, break down silos, and further build community partnerships. BeHERE NV is proud of Ashley's participation, and through this opportunity, she and her cohort will work together to create meaningful change and drive compassion throughout the community.

Roscoe Greene, Bobby Gordon, Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, Ashley Noel Pruitt, Former Assemblywoman Claire Thomas, and Sha’Londa Guillory in attendance at the Children's Advocacy Alliance Fourth Annual Winter Policy Summit!

The Children’s Advocacy Alliance Fourth Annual Winter Policy Summit brought together community leaders, advocates, and policymakers to discuss critical issues affecting children and families in Nevada. This year’s summit focused on innovative solutions and policy reforms to improve child well-being. Attendees heard from youth and engaged in collaborative discussions to strengthen partnerships across sectors, ensuring a brighter future for Nevada’s youth.

Children's Advocacy Alliance wants to hear your story! Your experience could help your community and make you eligible for a financial stipend.

Keep up with all of our latest updates by subscribing to our Newsletter, and please share with your contacts. We will be posting monthly updates on our progress and more on BeHERE NV. Don't forget to explore the February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December edition's of the BeHERE NV Newsletter. Can’t wait to have you along on this journey with us!

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