Division of Public and Behavioral Health

RENO — Nevada students are encouraged to exhibit their artistic skills and promote radon awareness by entering the Nevada Radon Poster Contest, with all entries due by Oct. 31.

UPDATE 10:47AM TUESDAY: Air quality readings in Carson City and Douglas County were in the "unhealthy" range, according to AirNow.gov. The National Weather Service advises periods of degraded air quality will continue. However, many areas could see thinning smoke for at least the next couple days as winds shift to more east to southeast direction. This would carry the bulk of any new smoke away from the area, forecasters say. This may be a short-lived break as westerly flow looks like it will return late in the week and for the weekend.
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Air quality monitors in Carson City and Gardnerville are reporting levels of particulate matter in the unhealthy to hazardous range due to smoke from the wildfires in California, according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

Free training opportunities for the public will be offered this July in Silver Springs, Yerington, Fernley, and Dayton regarding how to reduce risks of accidental overdose using Naloxone treatment resources.

CARSON CITY — In a report released this week, the National Safety Council notes Nevada has enacted comprehensive policies and practices to eliminate opioid overdoses and prevent prescription drug abuse. The publication titled Prescription Nation, provides state rankings based on the implementation of six key actions identified as model policy and practice in addressing the opioid epidemic.

When someone is in crisis, it’s scary and overwhelming for those suffering immediate anguish. For family members and others around them, it can be terrifying.

The Life Change Center in Carson City and Sparks are among three community provider organizations picked to receive the Opioid State Targeted Response Treatment and Recover Center grant, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services announced this week.

Carson Valley Middle School eighth-grader Jacob Pipho, from Carson City, placed first in the National Radon Poster Contest, after taking home first place in the Nevada Radon Poster Contest. He competed against student winners from several other states and will receive $1,000 for his poster, “The Element of Surprise.”

CARSON CITY — Emergency regulations aimed at curbing opioid abuse in Nevada took effect Friday when the Division of Public and Behavioral Health filed the regulations with the Secretary of State to comply with Assembly Bill 474, also known as the Controlled Substance Abuse Prevention Act.

January is National Radon Action Month, and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s (UNCE) Radon Education Program is offering free short-term radon test kits to Nevadans from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28.

CARSON CITY — Nevada students are invited to showcase their artistic talents and promote radon awareness by entering the 2018 Nevada Radon Poster Contest, offered by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Radon Education Program. The Oct. 31 deadline to enter is fast approaching.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Wednesday that he will convene the Governor’s Opioid State Action Accountability Taskforce this Monday, Sept. 25, 2017.

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health will receive $1.2 million in federal money in addition to the already $8.24 million it received earlier this year to assist in Nevada’s battle against the opioid epidemic, Gov. Brian Sandoval said Thursday.

Reno, NV – The state’s Veterans Coordinator is organizing a State of Nevada Career Fair which features employment opportunities and other resource information for Nevada Veterans, June 22, in Reno. Attendees will benefit from meeting representatives from the following state agencies to learn about jobs available and benefits of working in Nevada State Government:

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed dozens of bills Thursday including measures related to autism, group homes and renewable energy.

CARSON CITY — Governor Brian Sandoval announced Thursday that Nevada will receive a $5,663,328 grant to combat opioid addiction. The funding, which is the first of two rounds provided for the 21st Century Cures Act, will be provided through the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Smokers in Nevada can get free medications to help them quit. Medications made available by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health include gum and/or patches, lozenges, inhaler, and/or nasal spray. Supplies may be limited.

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health has been notified it has received a four year grant award from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for Assisted Outpatient Treatment in Northern Nevada.

Nevada's Division of Public Behavioral Health is investigating a cyber-attack on its medical marijuana program database where confidential information involving owners and employees of establishments has been compromised, officials said Wednesday.

Nevada has been selected as one of eight states to participate in a two-year certified community behavioral health clinic demonstration program designed to improve community services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday.

Smokers in Nevada can get free medications gum, patches and lozenges from the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health between June 20 through July 1 or while supplies last.

Suicide has reached epidemic levels in Nevada, according to numbers from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), and the state has been stepping up efforts in recent years to combat the problem.

"We lose more than 500 Nevadans and 100 veterans to suicide per year," said Luana Ritch, Ph.D., a Community Health Planner with the Nevada DPBH. "It's really looking at this now as a public health crisis for Nevada."

The Division of Public & Behavioral Health (DPBH) is working with healthcare, public health, emergency management, ethical and legal partners to develop Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) Guidance for the state of Nevada. It is very important that the public provide feedback on the guidance as CSC standards will assist healthcare professionals to decide how to provide the best possible care when resources are limited and/or unavailable.

State of Nevada
Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment
Request for Qualifications: 0001
For
Behavioral Health Treatment and Supportive Services
Release Date: February 24, 2016
Deadline for Submission and Opening Date and Time: April 4, 2016 @ 2:00 PM
A Kick-off Meeting will be held March 4, 2016 from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon in Room 303,
4150 Technology Way, Carson City, video conferenced to the following sites:
Elko: DHCFP, 1010 Ruby Vista Drive, Suite 103
Las Vegas: HCQC South, 4220 Maryland Pkwy, Building D, Suite 810

Partnership Carson City is seeking applications for primary prevention services within Carson City.

The purpose of this funding is to implement direct service primary prevention programs and strategies at the community level. PCC receives funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency.

Free, easy-to-use radon test kits are available Dec. 1 through Feb. 29 at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offices and partner locations statewide. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, comes from the ground and can enter homes and accumulate to elevated concentrations. At elevated concentrations, the odorless, colorless gas can raise the risk of lung cancer for unsuspecting homeowners.

Seven Nevadans are among nearly 300 people nationwide who have reportedly been sickened with salmonella by cucumbers sold under the name and label of A&W Limited Edition Pole Crown Cucumbers, Nevada health officials announced Friday. The company, San Diego-based Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce, has voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold between Aug. 1 through Thursday, Sept. 3.

Patients interested in applying for a medical marijuana card can do so by working directly with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health. It is as simple as getting a physician recommendation and filling out some forms at a total cost of just over $100. According to Patient Registry Program Officer Kari Ward, roughly half of patient applicants needlessly pay up to $500 to consulting firms for this service.

Dr. Leon Ravin is Nevada's new statewide psychiatric medical director, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.

Ravin has an active history in Nevada medical practice and education serving as the acting statewide psychiatric medical director in Nevada, and previously served as an associate medical director.

Since 2006, he has worked in clinical and administrative roles at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, including taking an active role in testifying on mental health laws and community standards before the Nevada Legislature.

With coast to coast harvesting of fruits and vegetables and Americans continuing to enjoy their summer outdoor barbecues, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a report acknowledging the nation has entered peak season for E. coli outbreaks.

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health urges Nevadans to “Start Talking. Stop HIV.” Knowing your status is important, and testing is quick and easy. Free HIV testing is available in Carson City and Reno.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, too many people are unaware they have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in seven (14 percent) do not know they are infected. In 2014 in Nevada, there were 420 new HIV diagnoses and more than 9,831 persons living with HIV/AIDS.