Funding Supports the Addiction Workforce
Building on the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare’s (SSW) strong partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the SSW has been awarded an additional, new contract that will provide support for master of social work (MSW) students interested in working in the field of addiction and substance use. Through this $2 million OASAS contract, over the next two years, the SSW will be able to allocate significant financial awards to eligible MSW students and also to their practicum instructors.
“The need for addiction specialists in all areas of the human services workforce has never been greater. Stony Brook’s MSW students have always answered this call. We are very grateful to our OASAS partners for creatively collaborating with us to provide the support our students need to enter the addictions workforce,” said Melissa J. Earle, clinical associate professor and director, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Program and Addictions Education.
This funding builds on ongoing efforts to distribute the millions of dollars awarded through a series of agreements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, and to address the impact of the opioid and overdose epidemic throughout New York State. Additional funding is also being made available for two separate initiatives to increase access to addiction treatment and to support the addiction workforce.
Specifically, the contract makes it possible for the SSW to award funds for up to 78 MSW students per year (156 students total over two years). Eligible students will each receive $4,620 per semester, for a total of $9,240 for the academic year. To be eligible for this funding, students will need to complete the required 100-hour CASAC curriculum during their MSW program and also complete their required 462 hours/year of practicum at an OASAS/OMH/DOH-certified, funded and/or licensed setting. This contract allocates $2400 per academic year to up to 50 practicum instructors who will provide supervision to SSW students in these settings. The contract also enables the SSW to hire an administrative staff support person to ensure that all aspects of the project are properly managed.
“This ongoing strong partnership with OASAS is a testament to our shared commitment to making education accessible, and ensuring a pathway to building a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of people in New York State,” said Shari E. Miller, dean of the School of Social Welfare.
For more information about Stony Brook’s SSW CASAC and addiction education programs, please contact Melissa Earle at melissa.earle.1@stonybrook.edu.
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