Stimulus Funds to New York City Offer Job Training for In-Demand Addictions Professionals

ALBANY, NY (11/30/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced OASAS Certified Education and Training Providers will offer free tuition for unemployed New Yorkers to enter the addictions workforce, now one of the nation's top 10 growing occupations.

Statewide, OASAS awarded $500,000 in federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 14 OASAS training providers. The Funding, provided by the state Department of Labor, will train nearly 130 unemployed or underemployed individuals in careers in the addictions field.

In New York City the following received funding:

• City College of New York Adult and Continuing Education Program was awarded $21,945;
• Alcoholism Council of New York received $18,000;
• American Institute for Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy received $18,000;
• Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service received $67,500;
• Argus Career Training Institute (ACT I) received $22,500;
• CUNY College of Staten Island was awarded $16,800;
• CUNY Kingsborough Community College received $60,645;
• Outreach Training Institute was awarded $66,750 to prepare students for a career in the addictions field.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "At a time when there is only one job available for every six unemployed New Yorkers, the field of addictions, like many others in the health care industry, is not only hiring but projected to grow in the coming years. New York City is one that is loaded with talented New Yorkers ready, willing and able to work. This funding will provide the New York City residents with an opportunity to learn a new craft and become part of an in-demand field."

"Addictions counseling is one of the top 10 fastest growing occupations nationally," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "As there is a critical shortage of addictions counselors, there is great demand by employers to hire individuals with this valuable credential. Addictions counselors find this work highly rewarding and it is gratifying to make a difference in another person's life."

State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith said, "New York's health care workforce is among the most elite in the entire country. With this funding, nearly 130 more workers will be joining its ranks. More importantly, once training is complete, these workers will be providing direct care to literally thousands of New Yorkers and their families who are grappling with the ravages of addiction. Not only will they be saving lives, but also making an important contribution to our economy."

Linnea A. Olson, Executive Director, Alcoholism Council of New York said, "The award from the NYS OASAS-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-initiative allows us to recruit, train and place five new professionals in the field of alcohol, gambling and other addictions. This is a field desperately in need of qualified and compassionate counselors. Together with the ten scholarships we recently awarded, we will substantially expand the number of providers in prevention, treatment and recovery, within a year. The Alcoholism Council of New York is delighted to be a small part of the effort to get people engaged and re-engaged in the workforce, while serving populations struggling with addictions. OASAS is to be commended for this pragmatic and proactive approach to the complex issues of alcoholism, other addictions, unemployment, and workforce development. This is a winning strategy for everyone."

Allyne Spinner, LCSW, Director of Alcoholism and Drug Counselor Training Program at American Institute for Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapies said, "The six people who have been accepted under the stimulus package at the American Institute for Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapies (AIHP) Alcoholism and Drug Counselor Training Program are calling themselves "Stimulated People" as they feel that they are stimulated to learn by this initiative."

Elaine Congress, DSW, LCSW, Professor and Associate Dean, Fordham University said, "Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service was very pleased to have been named as an OASAS Certified Education and Training Program that will receive stimulus funds for the CASAC 350-Hour Certificate Program. This is a win-win situation, as the new program, in addition to providing opportunities for unemployed and underemployed individuals to pursue education that will enhance their employment opportunities, will also increase the number of counselors with CASAC certification who are qualified to work with the growing number of New Yorkers affected by substance abuse problems. Founded in 1916, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service has had a long history of educating BSW, MSW, and PhD level students for work with vulnerable populations in the metropolitan area. Over the years Fordham GSSS has especially promoted substance abuse education through offering a MSW specialization in substance abuse, as well as by hosting for the last 40 years the NASW Addictions Institute that annually attracts over 600 participants."

Mark Armiento, LMFT, LMHC, M.A.C., C.A.S.A.C.; Vice President of Outreach Project; Director of Outreach Training Institute (OTI) said, "We at Outreach Training Institute, are very pleased and fortunate to have had the opportunity to provide quality CASAC 350 hour training made possible by the OASAS Stimulus Funding Program. Moreover, while all of our students are grateful for a scholarship, it isn't too often that we can accept a student whose personal situation matches perfectly the purpose and spirit of the scholarship source. In the case of the stimulus scholarships, we were able to provide career-changing/life altering opportunities to people who would not have had the resources to complete our program. The stimulus program has been a vital tool in offering opportunities to people who would not have been able to obtain them otherwise. However, with additional stimulus funding, we can offer this opportunity to other people who will help many more people recover from the curse of addiction. In doing this, each stimulus dollar returns much more than one dollar in benefits."

Joan E. Standora, Ph.D., CASAC, LADC, Director, Substance Abuse Counseling Program, Kingsborough Community College said, "Drawn from the pool of the unemployed or underemployed, students desiring to become professionals in the field of chemical dependency counseling have been given an opening. Many of these individuals thought it would not be possible to pursue their goals given the state of the economy and their own personal financial crises. This grant has made it possible for them to enter college, earn academic credits, and become prepared for professional practice."

Hugo J. Kijne, Ph.D., Executive Director, Continuing Education and Professional Development, College of Staten Island said, "The College of Staten Island/CUNY will have six students starting in its CASAC program in February with OASAS funding. There is a high need for graduates of the program on Staten Island, so the funding both serves the interests of the individual recipients and caters to the needs of the community."

A career in addictions treatment and prevention offers an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact on people's lives. Addictions treatment professionals who have completed this training and achieved status as Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor-Trainee (CASAC-T) provide a range of services to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families seeking help. These professionals are specially trained to address complex physical, emotional, mental and social issues that result from chemical dependence. Many professionals enter the field from very diverse backgrounds and with a variety of educational and academic experiences.

Upon completion of the CASAC 350-Hour Certificate program, the student will be eligible to apply for the CASAC Trainee certificate. CASAC Trainees may be counted toward the Qualified Health Professional (QHP) staffing requirement in specific OASAS-certified chemical dependence treatment programs. CASAC Trainees are in great demand in the addictions field making them highly employable.

As part of the CASAC 350-Hour Certificate program, students will be placed in a non-paid internship/field placement. This is an essential part of the program to insure job readiness and successful job placements. Students enrolled in the community colleges that offer the Associates of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling will obtain this degree in conjunction with the 350 hours of CASAC education and training.

Participating education and training providers will enroll students in a comprehensive 350-hour educational program, along with the following:

• Oversee a non-paid internship/field placement as part of the certificate program.
• Upon completion of certificate program, provide guidance to students in the completion/submission of a credentialing application.
• Provide career counseling/job placement services.
• Post on the NYS Job Bank any new jobs created or that the applicant seeks to fill as a result of funding through this or other economic stimulus funds.

Individuals can call the OASAS Credentialing Unit at 1-800-482-9564 to find out more about joining the addictions field.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can find help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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