Idaho State University Department of Community and Public Health Awarded $200,000 Addiction Studies Program Subgrant

 ISU is committed to proactively addressing the state's addiction counselor shortage and increasing the number and diversity of professionals within the field of addiction counseling. The grant's objectives include:

• Expanding access to addiction studies programs across the state, especially in remote and rural areas, through the introduction of online and hybrid teaching modalities.
• Equipping students for state certifications by bridging theory with practice through classroom instruction and internships, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for professional competence.
• Developing a comprehensive course schedule offering additional courses each semester, enabling students to complete the Addiction Studies certificate within a year while still preparing students for successful SUDA and/or CADC testing.
• Introducing a graduate certificate program in Addiction Studies, enabling students to access graduate-level certificate training and pair it with a graduate degree to qualify for ACADC (Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification.
• Providing continuing education and webinars to help establish strong networking systems for our students and professionals in the field.

Idaho faces a growing challenge in addressing its shortage of addiction counselors, a trend predicted to persist until at least 2030 according to a 2018 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report. Furthermore, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a 15% increase in demand for addiction counselors by 2030, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 22% growth in the field. The Kaiser Family Foundation's 2021 state reports have also highlighted increased demand for behavioral mental health services post-pandemic, with concerning spikes in substance abuse and related fatalities.

In 2021, the state of Idaho saw a notable rise in drug overdose deaths, soaring from 12.9 per 100,000 to 19.0 per 100,000. It is against this backdrop that the Idaho State University Department of Community and Public Health has been awarded this critical subgrant.

“The Idaho State University Department of Community and Public Health is dedicated to meeting the urgent needs of our communities by addressing addiction-related challenges head-on,” says Lisa Salazar, clinical assistant professor. “This grant is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible, quality education and training in the vital field of addiction studies”

This funding has been granted under the Substance Abuse Prevention Block Grant (SABG) American Rescue Plan Act CFDA 93.959, awarded to the Idaho Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).