Professional Development
“Develop a passion for learning.
If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
- Anthony J. DeAngelo
Providing NYS OASAS-approved 350-Hour CASAC classroom based education as well as professional training classes geared toward substance abuse professionals, mental health counselors and others in the field.
about our training center
ACCA offers a range of training to meet the needs of the professional working in the recovery community. For practicing professionals, we offer certification and re-certification classes across a range of topics, including motivational interviewing, trauma and grief, and ethics, approved for credit by NYS OASAS.
All course offerings via DigitalChalk course catalog
View Calendar Here
Program Instructors:
Courses are taught by a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare and addictions professionals.
Days and Times:
Each CASAC-350 training session is held on Monday and Thursday from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. Continuing Education trainings
Internship:
Although an internship is not required to obtain a CASAC, included in ACCA’s program is fifty (50) hours of internship to be completed in the second half of coursework.
Requirements:
Each student will be required to fill out an application and submit an essay upon entering the program. A mid-term exam and a final exam are administered as part of the program. Each student must receive a 75% or higher on each exam in order to complete the course.
Certificates of Completion:
Each student will receive a certificate stating completion of each individual training session. All completed coursework must be paid in full prior to issuance of a certificate.
Facility Location:
All classes will take place at ACCA’s newly renovated Outpatient Clinic, conveniently located at 1044 Broadway, Albany, NY
Initial Trainings (OASAS)
ACCA is an approved provider of the 350-hour CASAC Initial Standardized Curriculum, the the initial certification training for the Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA)as well as the Initial Training for the 250-hour CCP. Courses are offered in-person or through distance learning opportunities.
350-HOUR CASAC TRAINING
The CASAC Program is designed to provide students with the 350 hours of education required to receive a CASAC Trainee Certificate. Participants must complete one full year of scheduled evening classes to receive this certificate.
CASAC Section 1
Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
This course covers the 85 hours of required education for Section 1 of the 350 hour training for CASAC Certification.Section one includes content and material related to understanding substances, their effects on the mind and body of the individual user, and their sociological importance both historically and in contemporary America. This content will be delivered either live in person or via synchronous online classes that are designed to foster interaction and discussion around critical content. Classes ask students to engage with the material and to demonstrate understanding through essays, personal reflections, and quizzes.
CASAC Section 2
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
This course covers the 150 hours of required education for Section 2 of the 350 hour training for CASAC Certification.Section two covers information related to clinical practices and practice. Information covered in this section relates directly to patient care and interventions. As such, whether this course is delivered in person or online students are expected to actively participate by modelling skills, giving presentations, participating in group counseling scenarios, and through production of patient centered resources. Further, classes ask students to engage with the material and to demonstrate understanding through essays, personal reflections, and quizzes.
CASAC Section 3
Assessment; Treatment Planning; Case Management;
and Patient, Family and Community Education
This course covers the 70 hours of required education for Section 3 of the 350 hour training for CASAC Certification.Section three is centered onthe treatment process and sees student work with partners to guide a fictional patient through “treatment”. To this end, students will work with an assigned partner to complete screenings and an assessment, before collaboratively writing a patient centered treatment plan. Once the plan is developed, students will complete a mock individual session and review their performance. This mock session will include collaborative documentation. Finally, students will complete a treatment plan review and a discharge plan for their “patient”. This content will be delivered either live in person or via synchronous online classes that are designed to foster interaction and discussion around critical content. Classes ask students to engage with the material and to demonstrate understanding through essays, personal reflections, and quizzes.
CASAC Section 4
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
This course covers the 45 hours of required education for Section 4 of the 350 hour training for CASAC Certification.Section four asks students to consider ethics as they relate to professional practice as a CASAC. This course is designed to educate them on the rules and regulations related to CASAC practice, but to also ask them to consider their own ethical standards. Although numerically last, this section provides a good introduction to the work of a CASAC and the regulatory world in which they operate. This content will be delivered either live in person or via synchronous online classes that are designed to foster interaction and discussion around critical content. Classes ask students to engage with the material and to demonstrate understanding through essays, personal reflections, and quizzes.
CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER ADVOCATE (CRPA)
This 46 hour course offers the four required modules and meets the training & certification requirements of the NYCB for the CRPA certification.
This intensive course includes:
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10 hours of advocacy
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10 hours of mentoring and education1
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10 hours of recovery and wellness supports
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16 hours of ethics.