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. | |  | |
First Annual Graduate School Boot Camp 01
Molina Funding Updates! 02
BeHERE Mentors Spotlight 03
Coming Soon: Advisory Consortium 04
SB165 Bill Signing 05
National Leadership Academy 06
BeHERE NV Acknowledges 07
Knowledge Bite! 08
BeHERE In Action! 09
We have so much to share! Be sure to click on "View Entire Message" to see all of this month's content.
| | BeHERE NV Supporting Our Trailblazing Students: First Annual First-Gen Graduate School Boot Camp | | |
On August 21, 2025, BeHERE NV partnered with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and The PRACTICE Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health to host the First Annual First-Generation Graduate School Boot Camp. The event, held in UNLV’s Hospitality Hall, welcomed new graduate students across behavioral health disciplines—including counseling, social work, psychology, and couples and family therapy—who are the first in their families to pursue graduate education.
The program was moderated by BeHERE Associate Director, Dr. Roberta Miranda-Alfonzo, and featured inspiring first-generation stories from program coordinators: Dr. Ivet Aldaba (Social Work), Dr. Sara Jordan (Couple and Family Therapy), and Dr. Jungman Kim (Clinical Mental Health Counseling).
Attendees were greeted with music, enjoyed pizza together, and participated in lively icebreakers designed to help them learn more about each other across disciplines. Panels of faculty, alumni, and current graduate students offered practical advice and candid conversations about navigating expectations, overcoming imposter syndrome, seeking help, balancing school and personal life, and finding supportive communities. Their honesty resonated deeply, reminding attendees that they are not alone in their journey.
The event closed with networking, gift bags, words of encouragement, and a group pic! Based on enthusiastic positive feedback, planning is already underway for next year’s First-Gen Boot Camp!
| | BeHERE NV–Molina Clinical Supervision Grant Cycle 2 Now Open! | | |
BeHERE NV, in partnership with Molina Healthcare, is offering financial support to pre-licensed postgraduate counseling interns across Nevada through this Clinical Supervision Grant. This opportunity provides up to $1,000 in reimbursement for intern supervision costs incurred between July 1 and September 30, 2025.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants serving in rural areas, school-based settings, or crisis care. To qualify, interns must be registered with a Nevada licensing board, work at least 20 hours per week in an internship site, and pay for their primary and/or secondary supervision out-of-pocket. This initiative is part of BeHERE NV’s mission to strengthen Nevada’s behavioral health workforce by expanding access to required clinical supervision.
The application deadline is October 15, 2025. Applications are available online HERE, and questions can be directed to info@beherenv.org. **Please note that previous recipients of a BeHERE NV Molina clinical supervision grant are not eligible for this cycle.**
| | BeHERE Scholarship Mentors | | 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. This group of scholars have been paired with a community mental health professional for mentorship throughout the first two years of their Master's programs. We now want to shine a light on our community mentors who have been so gracious and impactful in sharing their time and expertise with our BeHERE Scholars. This month we feature our UNLV mentors and next month we will introduce you to our UNR mentors. | | | |
Danyell Cadell, LCSW, Esq.
With over a decade of experience as a therapist, educator, and clinical supervisor, Ms. Danyell Cadell has dedicated her career to helping people manage anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relational challenges - always with a focus on building resilience and healthier coping skills.
As a BeHERE Scholars mentor, Ms. Cadell sees the scholarship as far more than financial assistance. "It offers access, opportunity, and encouragement to future mental health professionals," she shared. By reducing barriers and affirming students' value, the scholarship helps mentees pursue their education while empowering them to make a lasting impact in their communities.
For Ms. Cadell, becoming a mentor was a natural choice. Having benefited from strong mentors throughout her own journey, she wanted to provide that same support to emerging professionals. "Guidance and support can make a lasting difference," she explained. "I wanted to help students grow not only in knowledge, but also in confidence and purpose." Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Cadell described mentorship as deeply rewarding. Watching mentees overcome challenges, grow in their skills, and take meaningful steps toward their goals has been both inspiring and fulfilling.
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Katrina Harris, PhD, Professor Emerita
Since beginning her journey in the mental health field in 2019, Dr. Katrina Harris, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Professor Emerita at UNLV, has brought both passion and expertise to her work. In addition to her professional counseling practice, she continues to inspire future counselors through part-time teaching in the UNLV Counselor Education program.
As a mentor with the BeHERE Scholars program, Dr. Harris sees the scholarship as a transformative opportunity for students. “This scholarship provides opportunities for students to explore and pursue careers in behavioral mental health working in diverse settings and with diverse groups,” she shared. Her hope is that mentees will not only develop strong counseling skills but also remain in Nevada, where their services are greatly needed.
Her decision to serve as a mentor was driven by a deep commitment to student growth. “I’m a huge advocate for mentorship and enjoy working with students who are excited about the mental health profession,” she said. Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Harris described her time with BeHERE Scholars as “a rewarding experience,” noting how meaningful it has been to witness the progress and growth of her mentees.
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Sheldon A. Jacobs, PsyD, LMFT
With nearly 20 years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs has built a career defined by service, leadership, and advocacy. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Jacobs wears many hats—adjunct faculty at UNLV School of Medicine, private practice owner, Clark County employee, mental health consultant, best-selling author, columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and dedicated board member, including with the Nevada Board of Examiners for MFTs and CPCs.
For Dr. Jacobs, mentoring BeHERE Scholars is both a professional and personal commitment. “I had so many incredible mentors throughout my own journey, and their impact shaped me into the leader I am today. It only feels right to pay it forward,” he shared. He believes the BeHERE Scholarship opens doors for mentees by easing the financial burden of education, allowing them to focus fully on their training and growth. His hope is that one day, these scholars will feel inspired to give back in their own meaningful ways.
Reflecting on the mentorship experience, Dr. Jacobs expressed how inspired he is by the scholars’ passion and dedication: “When I sit down with my mentees, I am struck by their eagerness to learn and to be the best clinicians they can be. They remind me so much of myself when I was coming along.” It’s this shared passion for mental health that fuels Dr. Jacob’s role as a mentor—nurturing the next generation of leaders who will continue to strengthen the field and serve their communities.
| | | BeHERE NV Advisory Consortium | | BeHERE Nevada is establishing an advisory consortium in accordance with Assembly Bill 37 and NRS 396.793. Meetings are subject to Nevada Open Meeting Law and more information will be posted on our website. | | Senate Bill 165 : SIGNED! | | Our Executive Director, Dr. Sara Hunt, and our Associate Director for Technical Assistance and Policy, Dr. Ashley Pruitt, were present when Governor Joe Lombardo signed Senate Bill 165. Sponsored by Senator Rochelle Nguyen, the bill creates a new bachelors-level Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioner in Nevada. BeHERE was honored to join partners at UNLV, UNR, Great Basin College, and the Children's Advocacy Alliance for this special occasion. Stay tuned to BeHERE NV for more information about the education and career pathways for this new provider type! | | Leadership Academy Opportunity | | |
Visit HERE to Apply or to inquire for further information. Be sure to move fast; this Application has a deadline of 09/12/2025!
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| | BeHere NV acknowledges both National Suicide Prevention Month as well as National Recover Month. Be sure to utilize SAMSHA Tool Kit for resources. | | BeHERE NV Associate Director of Technical Assistance and Policy, Dr. Ashley Noel Pruitt, presenting Behavioral Health Policy work to new students as part of a public policy panel at the UNLV Greenspun School of Urban Affairs, with Dr. Margoth Tello-Rodriguez and Dr. Michael Bernardo. | Dr. Ashley Noel Pruitt presenting BeHERE NV to the L.I.M.A. (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health & Addiction) Community Resource Sharing Meeting at the UNR extension North Las Vegas campus. | | 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 | | | | |
