In this edition

• Healthy-aging team works to meet the needs of older adults in Nevada
• Beekeeping training program coming to southern Nevada
• Education efforts address the root cause of addiction for incarcerated women
• Vote Your Voice Program engages youth
• Fall prevention: advice from an expert
• Extension welcomes two new Advisory Council members

Clark's Newsletter Archives

About our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

• agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
• biochemistry & molecular biology
• children, youth & families
• community & economic development
• health & nutrition
• natural resources & environmental science

Healthy-aging team works to meet the needs of older adults in Nevada

_{Extension's healthy-aging team transitioned to virtual content and coordinated volunteer efforts for delivery services in rural areas of the state.}

COVID-19 has led to major changes in the lives of all Nevadans and in some cases, new challenges, especially in the lives of the 454,221 homebound elders in the state. Extension’s Healthy-Aging Specialist Natalie Mazzulo, a member of the Nevada COVID-19 Aging Network Rapid Response Team, known as Nevada CAN, and her team are working to meet the unique needs of that population, especially those in rural areas. Ensuring that Nevada elders have accurate resource information for food sites, recruiting volunteers for delivery services and developing or transitioning activities to virtual content are just a few ways that Extension is responding to the needs of this community. Some of that content included a virtual yet hands-on learning experience on how to grow your own herb garden where Extension also provided the herb kits to seniors in Clark County.

Read more about Extension’s Healthy-Aging Program and its response during the pandemic

Beekeeping training program coming to southern Nevada

The Las Vegas community will soon have access to a full beekeeping training program. As pollinators, bees play a vital role in our ecosystems, supporting the growth of trees, flowers and other plants, making this new program a natural addition to the catalog of educational horticulture and gardening opportunities that Extension already offers. COVID-19 restrictions have delayed the full opening of the program hosted at The Center for Urban Water Conservation, a collaborative demonstration orchard between University of Nevada, Reno Extension and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but volunteer training is already underway.

Read more about this new program _{Those interested in beekeeping will soon have the opportunity to learn this skill.}

Education efforts address the root cause of addiction for incarcerated women

_{Healthy Steps to Freedom program focuses on the causes of addiction in an effort to provide gender-specific treatment for women.}

In Nevada, there are now nearly as many female opioid overdose deaths annually as there are male opioid overdose deaths, with women accounting for 46% of the total. In addition, heroin-related deaths in women have increased at twice the rate of heroin-related deaths in men between 1999-2015. It’s also a major factor in why a large percentage of women are incarcerated, according to Associate Warden Najera at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, located in Las Vegas.

That’s why the work Extension is doing inside the correctional center and at women’s rehabilitation centers is so important. The Healthy Steps to Freedom Program recognizes that effective treatment is not one-size-fits-all and focuses on gender-responsive programming, designed specifically with the needs of women in mind, helping to educate the women on health and body image issues that often lead them down the path of addiction.

Discover the impacts of the Healthy Steps to Freedom Program

Vote Your Voice Program engages youth

In a recent virtual series, Clark County youth participated in a lecture and discussion workshop that focused on the impact of voting and how youth can influence the future of their community. Teens ages 17 to 19 were given a safe space to share their thoughts and feelings about issues impacting them and their community.

Discover more about the Vote Your Voice program _{Workshops give teens the historical importance of voting and a safe place to discuss issues on students' minds.}

Fall Prevention Month: advice from an expert

_{Staying active and stretching are just some of the ways to prevent falls as individuals age.}

More than 15% of Clark County's population is at risk for what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports as the number one cause of preventable injury-related deaths for those 65 and older – falls. 

"While falling is not uncommon, it is also not a normal part of aging,” Extension Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Anne Lindsay said. Lindsay's academic research and interest includes programs and evaluations for older adults related to nutrition, exercise and health.  

According to Lindsay, fall prevention not only helps avoid injury but also helps to maintain the independence of individuals in the aging population. And, not only do falls harm and reduce the independence of the elderly, they also have an estimated medical cost of $50 billion per year to our health care system.

Read the full article on fall prevention

Extension welcomes two new Advisory Council members

Extension’s Advisory Council’s roster is full with the addition of new members, Laura E. Perkins and Maureen Schafer, who were appointed in August. Members serve three- year terms, providing advice and stakeholder input on decisions related to Extension, including budgeting, operations and programming during their tenure. These informed advocates also provide support and serve as advocates for Extension’s goals and plans.

Learn more about Perkins, Schafer and the role of Extension’s Advisory Council _{Maureen Schafer (left) and Laura E. Perkins (right) join Extension's Advisory Council.}

Published by: Lemieux, S., Malloy, M., Wharton, C., 2020, Expanding Knowledge in Clark County | Vol 20, Issue 02, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Newsletter

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