So, you want to become a CASAC.

Job opportunities for people who want to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from substance use disorders will increase in the coming years as CASACs retire and the demand for addiction counselors increases. If you have considered a career as a substance abuse counselor or are currently working with people who have a substance use disorder but are not yet credentialed, this career may be the right choice for you! The Addictions Care Center of Albany is recognized by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services as a professional training provider. ACCA’s CASAC Program is designed to provide students with the required 350 hours of training needed to receive their CASAC Trainee Certificate.

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Program Highlights 

This program is designed to provide students with the 350 hours of educational requirements needed to receive a CASAC Trainee Certificate. 

**All courses are certified by OASAS through The Addictions Care Center of Albany, Education Provider Number ED0024. 

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Program Instructors 

All courses will be taught by a multi-disciplinarian team of healthcare and addictions professionals who are employed at The Addiction Care Center of Albany (ACCA) and other treatment and healthcare facilities throughout the Capital Region. 

*If the student needs help, they’re to contact the Director of Training, not the instructors. 

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Textbook Required.

• Getting Ready to Test (M404): A Review and Preparation Manual for Drug and Alcohol Credentialing Exams (9th Edition)- $149.00 Getting Ready To Test (M404): A Review and Preparation Manual for Drug – DLC, LLC (dlcllc.shop)

 

Training Days and Times 

Held on Monday and Thursday nights from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. 

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Location 

All classes will take place at 1044 Broadway Albany NY 12204. Off street parking and parking behind building available.  

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Duration 

To complete the program participants must complete one full year of scheduled evening classes. For students who have completed significant hours of education prior to entering the program, an individual education plan will be made to complete the remaining hours; these students may not have to attend for an entire year.

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Prior Education Credits 

ACCA does not have the authority to approve prior educational credits. Please contact NYS OASAS Credentialing Unit at 1-800-482-9564 for more information. 

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Fees 

All evening CASAC training courses are $10.00 per credit hour. Career services and an internship program are also available. 

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Entrance Requirement 

All interested students should fill out an application and return it with a $25.00 non-refundable application fee. 

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One-On-One Consultation 

Please contact (518) 434-2367 Ext 112 to arrange. This consultation will present an overview of the 350-Hour CASAC program, as well as prerequisites, application process, program fees and payment plans. 

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Registration 

Upon registration, to the program students will be registered for 12 months of consecutive coursework. Class schedules will be distributed upon registration. Participants may register at any time and complete the program after twelve consecutive months of classes. 

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Evaluations & Grading System 

At the end of each training session, students will be required to fill out an instructor evaluation form. 

Participants will be required to:

1. Take a pretest upon entering the program, a midterm exam at the midpoint and a final exam at the end of the program. 

2. Take a test after the completion of every section. (4 sections). 

3. Take a post-test exam after every class, as well as midway through each section. 

Participants must receive a 70% or above on each exam to complete the course. The goal is to measure knowledge and comprehension of the topic being taught and to prepare the participant for the CASAC exam. 

The Director of training provides individual training sessions for participants who need extra help with a subject. The director also meets individually with participants to go over post-tests, section tests, midterms, and finals to ensure the participants understand the concepts being taught. 

Students are given homework assignments before and during training. To receive credit for the course, students must complete assignments. 

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Certificates of Completion & Student Records 

Each student will receive a certificate stating they completed each training session. Each training must be paid for prior to a student receiving a certificate. Only students completing all courses and competencies will be given a completion certificate for the entire CASAC Community Education Program. Student records will be maintained by ACCA for 3 years.

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CASAC Completion Requirements 

Upon completion of 350 hours of education students will be qualified for a CASAC-Trainee Certificate. Applications must be submitted to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) with a fee of $100.00. All fees are nonrefundable and must be made payable to NYS OASAS in the form of a certified check or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted. 

After receiving the CASAC-Trainee Certificate students must do the following to obtain the CASAC credential: 

∙ Complete 6,000 work experience hours in a NYS OASAS-licensed treatment agency. 

∙ Complete and pass the NYS OASAS Examination. The fee is $245.00 and the exam is computer-based. 

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Internships & Career Services 

ACCA works with students to provide a personalized, broad range of services to include assisting students with securing internships with area treatment and prevention providers, as well as career counseling for professional development.

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CASAC Prep Course.

Taking the CASAC exam can be a challenging endeavor. ACCA boosts exam-takers’ confidence with its new 20-hour CASAC Exam Preparation Course. Loaded with the tips and strategies needed to conquer the exam, the 20-hour course consists of four sessions designed to help. 

Test anxiety.

There are two types of anxiety students can experience around test taking. One type of test anxiety stems from a student having less than effective time management and study skills. Anxiety can usually be overcome through a student developing better skills that will improve their test taking abilities. Participants will learn how to work through their test anxiety by using evidence-based strategies.

The cost of this course is $200.00. ACCES-VR normally pays for this class. 

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CASAC Section Topics 

Section I: 85 Hours 

• Knowledge of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse 

Section II: 150 Hours 

• Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counseling 

Section III: 70 Hours 

• Assessment, Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Case Management, Patient, Family and Community Education 

Section IV: 45 Hours 

• Professional & Ethical Responsibilities

 

Class Attendance Policy 

Training participants are expected to attend all training sessions being held. Participants are expected to arrive at class on time. All classes begin at 5:00 PM. Participants are expected to sign in between 4:30-4:55 PM. If participants miss one class out of two, they’re not able to make up the class by completing an assignment. Only under extenuating circumstances the participant will be giving an assignment/test for the class missed. The participant must complete the assignment in the time frame allowed and pass a posttest to receive a certificate. In the event of an emergency when lateness or absenteeism will occur and can’t be avoided, please notify Michael Barbarulo at 518-434-2367 (Ext 112). Late arrival without notification may result in denied entrance to the class. 

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Student Code of Conduct 

The following Code of Conduct has been implemented by ACCA in order to maintain a professional working/learning environment at all trainings. 

1. Participants are expected to arrive at class on time. All classes begin at 5:00 PM. 

2. Participants are expected to sign in between 4:40 PM and 4:50 PM. In the event of an emergency when lateness cannot be avoided, please notify Michael Barbarulo at 518-434-2367 (Ext 112). Late arrival without notification may result in denied entrance to the class. 

3. Participants must refrain from speaking with fellow classmates and engaging in disruptive behavior during the training, including texting or talking loudly in the hallway. 

4. Participants are expected to be respectful of comments and opinions made by classmates during group discussions, to maintain a congenial and professional atmosphere. 

5. Participants will be given designated breaks for meals, snacks, and smoking. 

6. Participants are expected to return from breaks at the designated time and remain at the class until it is finished. 

Failure to adhere to the ACCA’s Student Code of Conduct Bears Consequences: Failure to understand and abide by the Student Code of Conduct and associated Guidelines will have serious consequences. “Not knowing about it” will never be an acceptable excuse. If you are unsure or have any questions about the Student Code of Conduct and expected behavior, contact the Training Manager at any time. Your failure to follow the trainer’s instructions or any other ACCA instructions related to any class, assignment, or project or if your behavior is disruptive and has an impact on the ability of other students to learn or interferes with their work or interferes with the instructor’s ability to discharge their responsibilities, the consequence will be immediate dismissal from that session of coursework with no credit or refund.

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Telephone and Cell Phone Use 

Although ACCA realizes that there are times when you may need to use your cell phones for personal reasons, it is expected that good judgment will be used in limiting the length and frequency of such calls. Text messaging during class is prohibited.

1. Participants must put cell phones on vibrate when training begins. 

   1. Participants are not allowed to be on their cell phones during the training. If participants are on their cell phones, the training director will ask participants to leave the training. 

   2. In case of emergency, participants reserve the right to answer the phone outside of the classroom

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Violence in the Training Environment 

ACCA recognizes that all students are entitled to learn in a safe environment that is free from hazards. Violence in our Training Center will not be tolerated or condoned. 

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Discrimination 

ACCA is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants and students without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or disability and complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. ACCA is also committed to maintaining a training center free of harassment and intimidation and expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law. Such conduct is against the law, and we will not tolerate improper interference with the ability of our students to perform their expected responsibilities.

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For questions about the CASAC Training Program, please contact Michael Barbarulo, Director of Training, using the information below.

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Contact Information 

Director of Training,

Michael Barbarulo, PhDc, MS. 

LADC 1, Master Counselor CASAC, Gambling Specialty, C-Life Coach, Author. 

1044 Broadway Albany, NY 12202 

(518) 434-2367, Ext 112 

Email: mbarbarulo@theacca.net