SUNY Adirondack offers support for Substance Abuse Services majors

QUEENSBURY, New York (July 11, 2023) — SUNY Adirondack is proud to offer extended support to students in the college’s Criminal Justice: Substance Abuse Services (CRSA) associate degree program.

The college last fall was awarded more than $115,000 from the State University of New York (SUNY) High Needs Localities Fund Allied Health Program to help students pursuing an associate degree in its state OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports)-certified program. 

That funding allows SUNY Adirondack to offer textbook support, gas cards, wraparound supports, career coaching, academic advising and payment of fees associated with CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee) exams.

Over the past year, the college has expanded its practicum sites to include WAIT House, Adirondack Vets House and CAPTAINS. 

"Our Substance Abuse Services majors have received $500 completion stipends, weekly gas cards, tutoring and textbook supports, all designed to remove barriers to their successful degree completion," said Diane Wildey, associate vice president for Academic Affairs. "I encourage anyone interested in substance abuse services education to contact the college for more information."

To qualify, those interested must be admitted to SUNY Adirondack and declare themselves a Criminal Justice: Substance Abuse Services major. The program is for new students, current students, students who are switching majors to Criminal Justice: Substance Abuse Services, or former students who wish to return and complete a degree.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a substance abuse counselor in the United States in 2021 was $48,520 a year. Employment of counselors for substance abuse and other mental health care is projected to increase 22 percent through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Social workers, the Labor statistics show, earned a median pay of $50,390 a year, with job growth projected at 9 percent through 2031. 

To apply to SUNY Adirondack, visit sunyacc.edu/apply. To submit an interest form for the grant-funded support program, visit https://connect.sunyacc.edu/register/CRSA_interest.