OLEAN, N.Y. — SUNY Jamestown Community College recently received approval to offer credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor training for working professionals.
Those working in the addictions counseling field are required to earn CASAC certification through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. JCC’s Workforce Development staff and Addictions Counseling faculty worked together to help bring this necessary training to the college.
“JCC has offered the CASAC credential in our certificate and degree programs for many years. The faculty within those programs recognized that many working professionals have a degree already and just need their CASAC hours,” said Jackie Patterson, Workforce Development program manager. “I am excited that we are now able to offer the 350 CASAC hours as a standalone program.”
Aside from helping provide certifications to those already working in the addictions counseling field, this is an additional credential that degree or certificate-seeking students may also pursue while at JCC.
“This program adds to our existing degrees and offers students more flexibility in achieving their CASAC certification,” said Francis LaChappelle, a Human Services assistant professor at JCC.
The program’s structure was designed so that students and working professionals may enroll in the entire 350-hour training, or only take specific sections to complete their hours.
The CASAC educational hours are offered mostly online, with three of the course sections having a one-day in-person session required.
For more information on this program, visit sunyjcc.edu/casac.
