Curricula

Healthy Steps to Freedom

People walking for exercise.

Extension's Healthy Steps to Freedom is a direct education health, nutrition and body image program (part of a broader intervention that includes policy, systems and environment) designed to augment existing broad-based drug treatment and community education programs for women in recovery for substance use/misuse. While the long-term goal of the program is to reduce recidivism and attrition for females in treatment for substance-use disorder, the more immediate short-term goal is to teach healthy lifestyles, improve fruit and vegetable consumption, improve healthy behaviors, reduce food insecurity, and improve treatment outcomes for women in recovery for substance use/misuse. The program includes nutrition, diet quality, balanced meal planning, physical activity, family mealtimes, nutrition panels, fruit and vegetable consumption, food resource management, positive self-esteem, and body satisfaction. Discover the impact of Healthy Steps to Freedom through personal testimonials.

To obtain access to these materials, please contact Nichol Heleman at ndobbs@unr.edu.

Courses

People exercising together.

Nutrition, Exercise and Disordered Eating in Substance-Use Disorder and Recovery (ROTA-R)

Grounded in current evidence and informed by interdisciplinary perspectives, the short course promotes a holistic understanding of the behavioral and physiological determinants that contribute to both the development of substance use disorders and the pursuit of long-term recovery. Structured around one introductory and three core modules, the short course critically examines how factors such as nutrition, physical activity and body image intersect with the etiology and treatment of substance use. These domains, supported by contemporary empirical research, equip learners with a comprehensive grasp of the biopsychosocial dynamics essential to effective, sustained recovery.

ROTA-R Course
Woman cooking a healthy meal.

Nutrition, Food Security & Support: Women & Stimulant Use in Rural Areas for SNAP-Ed Implementers 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) implementers are likely to encounter individuals affected directly or indirectly by substance-use disorder. This is because stimulant use has been prevalent in the western U.S. for decades and remains higher in rural communities than in metropolitan areas.

For women, stimulant use tends to accelerate more quickly, leading to severe physical and emotional problems and making seeking help difficult, especially in rural areas. As such, understanding how to provide strength-based and trauma-informed nutrition programs that promote recovery is essential. 

This new, self-paced course by Leah's Pantry builds your capacity to support rural women on their path to health and wellness by increasing your knowledge and skills regarding substance use and recovery.

LEAH'S PANTRY Course