June 23, 2023. The Health District awarded STEP2 with an Extra Mile Award (EMA) at the June 22, 2023 District Board of Health meeting.

The award was given to STEP2 for protecting their clients, staff and visitors from secondhand smoke exposure through their smoke-free and vape-free campus policy.

The EMA honors businesses in Washoe County that have gone above and beyond the requirements of the Nevada Clean Air Act.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to secondhand smoke from burning tobacco products causes disease and premature death among nonsmokers. Further, smoke-free environments are in demand now more than ever, especially as awareness of respiratory health has increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many local businesses, it makes sense to be smoke-free to better meet the needs of their customers and the community-at-large.

“I’m happy to celebrate the EMA awardees each year because it shows the support in our community for healthy, smoke-free environments,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “Secondhand smoke exposure can be harmful in many ways including increasing the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure.”

The Health District considers the negative effects of tobacco use and exposure to be a priority health issue for our community and works with these local businesses, housing professionals, and community partners to take steps to reduce tobacco use and exposure in our community. More information about smoke-free efforts in Washoe County can be found at www.gethealthywashoe.com.

Washoe County Health District is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The Health District prioritizes community wellness, from the environment and air quality to epidemiology and clinical services, providing resources that support public health matters. For more information, visit: washoecounty.gov/health.

STEP2 is a private, local non-profit organization based in Reno, Nevada. They opened in 1986, and since then have continued to help women who are experiencing substance use disorders participate in rehabilitation services. They understand that women experience certain barriers in obtaining services which is why their mission is to provide gender-specific supportive services to women, women with young children, and expectant mothers. STEP2 serves women and children together as a unit for recovery rather than individually, but it is not a requirement to have children to access treatment.

The year-long program includes: residential inpatient services at a 20-bed residential facility, outpatient services and transitional housing as well as wraparound services including case management, medical care referrals and coordination, childcare assistance, parenting education, transportation assistance, domestic violence advocacy and education, and on-site mental health assessment, therapy and medication assistance.  Learn more at: STEP2reno.org.

The District Board of Health meeting can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaW7ep9OLjo