November 2024

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.

Ashley Noel Pruitt, M.A.

Associate Director of Technical Assistance & Policy

Ashley Noel Pruitt serves as the BeHERE Associate Director of Technical Assistance and Policy. Ashley brings over 16 years of comprehensive experience in public service, emphasizing mental health and policy innovation. She has served the State of Nevada analyzing public policies for continuous improvement, developing strategic solutions to enhance social services, and ensuring regulatory compliance under numerous Medicaid waiver programs. Her expertise spans public policy, mental health, change management, and justice systems, with a strong focus on innovation and community impact. Passionate about creating impactful, data-driven policies, Ashley is committed to promoting mental health equity and effective systems of care. She holds a Master’s in Urban Leadership and is pursuing a Doctorate in Public Policy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Outside of work, Ashley spends her time volunteering at local community serving organizations.

Cora T. Asuncion

UNLV School of Social Work

In the Master of Social Work program at UNLV, Cora’s journey reflects a deep commitment to supporting others through challenging times. Inspired by her grandmother’s battle with Stage 4 lung cancer and her transition to hospice care, she recognized the important role of social workers during such critical moments. This experience sparked her desire to pursue a career in social work, further fueled by her own journey with breast cancer, which solidified her goal of becoming an Oncology Social Worker.

Cora believes that receiving a BeHERE Scholarship will significantly impact her future in behavioral health by easing financial pressures and enabling her to focus on her education. Grateful for the mentorship she has received, she feels supported both as a student and as a person, which has enriched her graduate experience.

Her aspirations include working in oncology settings, whether in an agency or a hospital, with a long-term goal of establishing a center for Pilipinx-Americans facing cancer diagnoses or terminal illnesses. As a proud Pilipinx-American woman, she is passionate about representation in the field and the importance of embracing her cultural identity.

When Cora learned she had won the scholarship, she was truly in awe. She couldn't believe it! She remembers giving her mother a double high five, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. It was an honor she deeply appreciates and does not take lightly.

Outside of academics, Cora enjoys exploring new coffee shops—often ordering matcha—going for walks with loved ones, discovering new dining spots, and following the WNBA, passionately supporting the Las Vegas Aces. Above all, she values quality time with her family.

Dr. Sara Hunt and Ashley Noel Pruitt at the Nevada Rural Communities Summit

Dr. Sara Hunt served on a panel with Mr. Gerald Ackerman, Assistant Dean, Rural Programs, UNR School of Medicine

The Nevada Community Action Association,in partnership with Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Community Chest Inc., and the Administration for Children and Families. Attendees, including community action leaders and state, tribal, and federal partners, gathered to celebrate the innovative efforts already taking place in these communities. Participants shared valuable insights, engaged in meaningful discussions, and forged new partnerships aimed at addressing the unique needs of rural Nevada. 

The summit underscored the importance of collaboration and education in shaping effective policies for the future of these vital areas. It was a powerful reminder of the dedication and ingenuity present in rural Nevada. Notably, Dr. Sara Hunt participated as a panelist, contributing insights to the discussion on mental health workforce development.

Eureka County High School, Eureka Nevada

Lowry High School, Winnemucca, NV

In the last week of October, Dr. Jill Manit and Dr. Roberta Miranda Alfonzo traveled through northern Nevada to participate in high school career fairs across six of Nevada's rural counties. BeHERE had the opportunity to visit Ely, Eureka, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca, Fallon, and Elko, where eight high schools and training academies from across Elko County participated.

Throughout these events, Dr. Jill and Dr. Roberta connected with hundreds of students, educating them about the wide variety of career paths available in behavioral health. At some schools, they also participated in parent nights, where they provided families with information about the growing field of behavioral health. In Elko, they also volunteered their time to conduct mock interviews for students at the Battle Born Academy, helping them prepare for future career opportunities.

The experience was both rewarding and inspiring, with students showing genuine curiosity and enthusiasm about pursuing careers in this field. Dr. Jill and Dr. Roberta left the trip feeling encouraged by the passion and interest of the next generation of mental health professionals.

A huge shoutout to our incredible sponsor, SilverSummit Healthplan! 🎉 Your generous donation to BeHERE NV means the world to us and will make a significant impact at our upcoming career fairs! 🌟 With your support, we can provide snacks, food, and beverages to help our community shine while exploring valuable behavioral health career opportunities. Thank you for being such an amazing partner!

The Northeast Career & Technical Academy in Las Vegas is seeking a teacher for magnet students in social services, helping them develop skills and enthusiasm for the field.

To qualify, candidates need at least two years of experience in social services, social work, or therapy. If you’re unsure about the fit, we encourage you to explore the opportunity, as support with licensing is available. 

The Nevada Public Health Foundation, Inc.(NPHF) is promoting workforce development through Clinical Social Work Supervisor Stipends. This program seeks to expand opportunities for clinical social work interns, particularly those providing services in rural and frontier communities across Nevada.

To learn more about this program and how you can get involved, join us for an informational Zoom session on one of the following dates:

• December 11th, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
• December 12th, 2024 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

A heartfelt shoutout from the BeHERE NV team! We want to extend a huge thank you to each and every one of you for your support throughout this incredible year! Your encouragement means the world to us, and we are absolutely grateful for all the laughter we've shared, the wonderful people we've met along the way, and our amazing community of followers on social media and our newsletter. You all make this journey so much brighter, and we can't wait to continue this adventure together! Thank you for being a part of our story!

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, and October edition 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