WHEREAS, on October 6, 2023 Laura Valentine is retiring from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health: Rural Clinics after a total of 30 years of loyal, diligent and exception public service to the State of Nevada; and

WHEREAS, Laura began her career with the State of Nevada in 1993 as a Psychiatric Case Worker at Rural Clinics: Carson Clinic where she worked for approximately 4 years and Laura received a promotion to a Quality Assurance Specialist with the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services where she worked for approximately almost 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Laura received Senatorial Recognition, as well as a federal Best Practice Award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in 2000 for her efforts related to homelessness and housing initiatives across the State; and

WHEREAS, Laura also received recognition from the Division Administrator for her assistance in statewide Service Coordination conference in 2000, cited in an article in the Las Vegas sun regarding the 2002 Needs Assessment, received recognition from the Division Administrator again in 2003 for coordinating a Statewide conference to reduce Seclusion and Restraint in hospital settings, and was recognized for her participation in emergency/disaster preparedness exercises and activities in both 2004 and 2005; and

WHEREAS, Laura returned to Rural Clinics in 2005 where she worked until 2011 until taking a position at what was the Health Division as a Health Resource Analyst where she worked with others to develop an annual statewide emergency/disaster conference; and

WHEREAS, Laura then worked for the Aging and Disability Services Division from 2012-2015, first as a Clinical Program Planner before being promoted to a Social Services Chief; and

WHEREAS, Laura returned to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health as a Health Program Manager in 2015 to supervise the Maternal and Child Health program for two years before transferring back to Rural Clinics where she has been since 2017 as a Clinical Program Planner and a Clinical Program Manager supervising all 16 of Rural Clinics locations; and

WHEREAS, in 30 years of State service Laura has worked under seven Governors including Richard Bryan, Bob Miller, Kenny Guinn, Jim Gibbons, Brian Sandoval, Steve Sisolak, and Joe Lombardo as well as countless Agency Managers and Administrators including recent Division Administrator Cody Phinney and Agency Manager Ellen Richardson-Adams; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health: Rural Clinics, on behalf of its employees and clients, extend to Laura Valentine sincere appreciation and gratitude for her 30 years of outstanding commitment and excellence in service to the Citizens of the Silver State. She is able to leave her position with dignity and grace knowing that she has made a difference throughout the State;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim Octoer 6, 2023 as a day in honor of

LAURA VALENTINE