Area briefing

WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS GENDER-SPECIFIC SERVICES FOR FEMALE INMATES

Criminal justice, medical and social services professionals, educators and students are invited to attend a Las Vegas Municipal Court workshop titled Gender Matters -- Creating Services for Women in the Criminal Justice System.

The event is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7-8 at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. Registration is $175 by March 1 and $200 after that date. Advance registration is recommended, and seating is limited.

The workshop is scheduled to feature speaker Stephanie S. Covington, who will focus on the programming needs of women in correctional settings, including intervention strategies for substance abuse, violence and poverty.

With the increasing number of women in correctional settings, there is a growing recognition of the need for gender-responsive services, city officials said.

The workshop will cover:

Differences between male and female offenders.

Specific intervention strategies for women.

National Institute of Corrections guiding principles.

Research findings on gender-responsive services.

Trauma and its implications for women's services.

Moving research into practice.

Workshop participants may earn continuing education credits from:

The Nevada Board of Examiners for Drug, Alcohol, and Gambling Counselors.

The Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.

The Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists.

Batterer's treatment certification.

The Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education.

The Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

Registration for the workshop is available by mail, fax and online. For more information, a workshop brochure, a registration form and to register, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/gmworkshop or call 229-4673.

PLAYGROUND INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED APRIL 18-19

A Nevada Recreation & Park Society-sponsored certified playground safety inspector course is planned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 18-19 at the Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road, Henderson.

The course focuses on playground hazard identification and risk management methods, and the certification exam is set for 8 a.m. to noon April 20.

Participation is $550 for Nevada Recreation & Park Society and National Recreation and Park Association members or $625 for nonmembers for both the course and the exam.

Those wishing to take only the exam may do so. The cost is $125 for Nevada Recreation & Park Society and National Recreation and Park Association members or $150 for nonmembers.

There are no course prerequisites. Registration is required and can be conducted at nrps.org or by calling 267-4140.

The program trains individuals to recognize and prevent potential playground hazards and prepares them for the certified playground safety inspector examination. Upon successfully passing the exam, participants are certified through the National Recreation and Park Association as playground safety inspectors for a three-year period and should be able to establish a sound risk reduction program; develop a system of repair, retrofit and removal of hazardous equipment; and establish a routine inspection system for their agency or playground owner/client.

The course and certification are offered by the Nevada Recreation & Park Society as part of its annual state conference, which is set for April 18-20 at the Black Mountain Recreation Center. Discounted room rates are available through March 19 at participating hotels. For additional information, visit nrps.org.

The Nevada Recreation & Park Society is a professional association that actively supports the development of the recreation, parks and leisure professions in Nevada. It was established in 1955 and incorporated in 1974.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO ENSURE VISITORS' SAFETY ON MOUNT CHARLESTON IN WINTER

The U.S. Forest Service is looking for volunteers to help keep Mount Charleston's thousands of visitors safe in the snow through the end of March.

Snow Play Hosts are to provide roadside information about snow play opportunities and take part in the fun while engaging visitors at winter recreational sites. The hosts also are to help visitors have a fun experience while reducing impacts to the forest.

Experience in volunteering in a similar setting is a plus but not required. Volunteers should be at least age 18 and able to work outdoors in cold conditions.

Hosts will work on weekends and holidays. Average shifts will range between three and six hours. The minimum commitment desired is two shifts per month.

For more information, visit discoverspringmountains.org/volunteer.html or contact Suzanne Hicks at smhicks@fs.fed.uscq or 839-5566.

LIFEGUARD TRAINING AVAILABLE

The city of Las Vegas is offering an American Red Cross lifeguard training course through May at the Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, and the Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive.

Those who successfully complete the course will be certified for two years in lifeguard training, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an automated external defibrillator.

Participants must be 15 or older.

For more information or to apply, visit lasvegasnevada.gov and click "I want to apply for" and then "jobs" or call 229-6309.

FREE RADON TEST KITS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT AWARENESS PRESENTATION

A community awareness presentation regarding the radioactive gas radon is set for 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive.

Attendees will receive a free radon test kit for their homes. Testing for the gas is encouraged by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the Nevada State Health Division.

Winter is the ideal time to test for radon as most homes are kept closed up for the winter, said Laura Au-Yeung, the southern area radon program coordinator for the cooperative extension. The test takes two to four days to conduct.

The leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers is radon, experts said. Although smokers have a higher risk of radon-induced lung cancer than nonsmokers, about 21,000 people die each year in the U.S. of lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure. The radon health risk is highly preventable, yet few people know about the radon risk or have their homes tested for it, according to valley officials.

Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in soil and enters homes through foundation cracks, openings and some of the porous materials used to construct foundations and floors of homes. It is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that can reach harmful levels when trapped indoors. Radon can enter any home, old or new.

For more information, call Au-Yeung at 257-5550, email her at au-yeungl@unce.unr.edu or visit radonnv.com. Any professional or community group that wishes to schedule a radon awareness presentation also may contact Au-Yeung.