February 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 DAY

The Behavioral Health Association of Nevada (BHAN) will host Behavioral Health Day at the Nevada Legislature on February 25 at the Nevada State Capitol. This event aims to unite individuals from across Nevada to meet with legislators and advocate for stronger focus on behavioral health policies and funding. The day will include meetings with legislators, as well as recognition during floor sessions in both the Senate and Assembly Chambers. BHAN will also host a special evening reception at a Carson City restaurant, inviting all legislators and state officials to join in.

Luisa Alvarez

UNR School of Social Work

Luisa Alvarez is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Nevada Reno.

She chose this path because of her deep desire to help others, believing that social work offers

numerous opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Luisa is currently working at a

non-profit organization where she advocates for survivors of human trafficking, and she aims to

expand her knowledge in order to better support the people she serves. The scholarship she

received has significantly impacted her future in behavioral health, enabling her to pursue her

education despite financial challenges.

With her degree, Luisa plans to represent those who need support due to trauma, particularly

focusing on survivors of human trafficking. She is particularly interested in specializing as a

trauma therapist for both sex and labor trafficking, an area in which Nevada currently lacks

sufficient expertise. She is determined to stay in the state to provide vital support for this

vulnerable population.

When Luisa found out she had been awarded the scholarship, she was in the car with a

coworker, returning from a meeting. Earlier that week, her car had been totaled, so her coworker

had driven her to the meeting. Upon hearing the news, Luisa let out a little scream and

immediately shared the excitement with her coworker. She then called her mom, and they both

cried on the phone together. To celebrate, Luisa spent the weekend out with friends, rejoicing in

this significant accomplishment.

The scholarship came at a pivotal moment in her life, when things were challenging both

personally and financially. Despite ongoing personal struggles, the scholarship alleviated the

worry of having to pause her educational journey due to financial constraints.

Outside of school, Luisa has found it difficult to maintain hobbies during her first year. However,

as the new year began, she compiled a list of activities to engage in for self-care. She joined a

book club to read beyond her social work textbooks, began hiking with her friends and her dog,

and returned to the gym, where she enjoys taking pilates and cycling classes.

BeHERE NV is excited to announce the launch of our new BeINSPIRED Speaker’s Bureau, a unique opportunity for industry notables in the behavioral health field to share their experiences and expertise with young students and adult learners across Nevada. We invite you to be part of this important initiative to inspire, educate, and grow the next generation of behavioral health professionals!

As a volunteer speaker, you will have the chance to engage with audiences, offering insights into your career, education journey, and lived experiences. Your participation will not only help raise awareness of the diverse career pathways in behavioral health but also support efforts to expand our workforce in Nevada.

Whether speaking on a panel, leading a training, or participating in community events, your involvement will play a key role in recruiting and developing a strong, skilled behavioral health workforce. In addition, you’ll be part of a community that champions mental health wellness, literacy, and the importance of building career pathways to meet Nevada's needs.

We invite you to fill out the form to join the BeINSPIRED Speaker's Bureau today. Your voice can help shape the future of behavioral health in our state!

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference.

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.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to lead the development of a new PsyD in Professional Clinical Psychology program, with a focus on pediatric training. This program is a significant initiative supported by the state of Nevada, university leadership, and community partners, designed to address critical mental health needs in our state. While its launch is initially funded through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, the program was envisioned with sustainability in mind. The positions are intended to transition to permanent faculty positions as the program matures and demonstrates sustainability.

The Director and Assistant Director position, ideal for individuals with a strong academic foundation, clinical expertise, and an interest in shaping a program that will make a lasting impact on mental health education and services.

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