Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced a joint initiative with Carlow and Waynesburg universities to address the shortage of qualified addiction professionals within Pennsylvania’s behavioral health workforce.
Funded by DDAP, this pilot program will focus on the recruitment and retention of behavioral health professionals by providing financial assistance for participating students’ educational expenses. At its core, this initiative is designed to strengthen the SUD workforce pipeline by financially supporting master’s-level students at Carlow and Waynesburg universities. Through the DDAP funding, both universities will offer tuition assistance, a stipend during the students’ practicum/internship with a community-based treatment provider, and additional SUD-related training offered by DDAP for students who qualify under each universities’ respective programs.
“By partnering with higher education institutions that specialize in behavioral health care, we can address the critical workforce needs in the SUD treatment field,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis Jones. “The Shapiro Administration is supporting master’s level students and helping them graduate with qualifications needed to enter the field immediately, making meaningful strides toward rebuilding and strengthening Pennsylvania’s SUD workforce.”
As a result of participating in this pilot program, upon graduating with a master’s degree, these students will meet the qualification for the position of a counselor in the Commonwealth – allowing them to immediately enter the SUD treatment field. An additional requirement of this initiative is a three-year service commitment to working in the SUD field in Pennsylvania following graduation.
Carlow and Waynesburg universities are the only two higher education institutions in Pennsylvania accredited by the national Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the specialty of addictions counseling at the master’s degree level – a distinction that laid the foundation for the partnership with DDAP.
“We are proud to partner with DDAP and Waynesburg on this vital initiative,” said Carlow University President Dr. Kathy Humphrey. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to serving others and addressing critical workforce needs. Together, we can create opportunities to make a meaningful difference in Pennsylvania communities.”
Specifically, Carlow and Waynesburg universities will:
- Work collaboratively with DDAP to expand enrollment in the addiction counseling and clinical supervision programs, and identify practicum sites that serve underrepresented and underserved populations;
- Develop program participant qualification and service commitment criteria;
- Manage financial assistance for program participants including stipends of $200 per month for up to 22 months and tuition assistance at a rate of $5,520 per semester for up to five semesters; and
- Track participants’ outcomes following the completion of the program.
“Waynesburg University is committed to addressing the unmet needs of the behavioral health workforce,” said Dr. Kelley McNichols, Waynesburg University Assistant Director of Graduate Counseling Programs. “The opportunity to partner with DDAP forges an innovative pathway intended to bolster the recruitment of diverse SUD counselors and clinical supervisors while strategically investing in aspiring counselors who will support the sustainability of the SUD behavioral health workforce.”
Criteria for the program were developed as a result of direct feedback received from SUD professionals as part of DDAP’s statewide stakeholder engagement tour. Findings from the tour show that various concerns exist regarding retention in the SUD workforce including an increase in burnout rates and compassion fatigue, as well as reporting requirements and burdensome paperwork exacerbating the challenges of workload management.
‘Getting Stuff Done’ for the SUD Workforce
The goals of this pilot program align with Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order establishing the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council, which is bringing together state leaders, local governments, and community providers to develop and recommend to the Governor the implementation of a statewide action plan that addresses how to deliver timely and quality mental health and addiction treatment services.
In addition, since day one, the Shapiro Administration has prioritized investments in Pennsylvania’s SUD workforces by awarding more than $40 million to retain professionals working in Pennsylvania’s drug and alcohol field through DDAP’s student loan repayment program.
More information on the Shapiro Administration’s efforts can be found on the DDAP website.
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