state of the drug and alcohol workforce pro-a copyright 2015

State of the Drug and State of the Drug and Alcohol Alcohol

WorkforceWorkforce

PRO-A Copyright 2015PRO-A Copyright 2015

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Summarize the history of the drug Summarize the history of the drug and alcohol service system.and alcohol service system.

Identify the issues that led to the Identify the issues that led to the workforce crisis.workforce crisis.

Assess the current state of the Assess the current state of the workforce.workforce.

Explain what is being done about it.Explain what is being done about it. Discuss what we hope to see in the Discuss what we hope to see in the

future.future.PRO-A Copyright 2015

Where we came from:Where we came from:

The drug and alcohol system was The drug and alcohol system was developed in the late 1960s, early 70s developed in the late 1960s, early 70s

through the vision, and advocacy through the vision, and advocacy efforts of the early recovery movement. efforts of the early recovery movement.

PRO-A Copyright 2015

Advocacy & the development Advocacy & the development

of our service systemof our service systemThe Hughes Act – 1970The Hughes Act – 1970

Championed by Senator Harold Hughes of Iowa, an openly Championed by Senator Harold Hughes of Iowa, an openly recovering alcoholic.recovering alcoholic.

Provided a comprehensive program to address prevention and Provided a comprehensive program to address prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

PASSED by ONE VOTE, signed into law on December 31st, 1970.PASSED by ONE VOTE, signed into law on December 31st, 1970.

PA Act 63 of 1972PA Act 63 of 1972 Established our State SCA system and much moreEstablished our State SCA system and much more Only occurred because of the hard work of many recovery Only occurred because of the hard work of many recovery

advocates. advocates. Signed into law April 14Signed into law April 14thth, 1972, 1972


There was no drug and There was no drug and alcohol certification in alcohol certification in

Pennsylvania until 1979. Pennsylvania until 1979. It is estimated that about It is estimated that about

75% of the initial 75% of the initial workforce was in workforce was in

recovery. recovery.

The early workforce in PAThe early workforce in PA


Two surveys conducted: Two surveys conducted: 1- Counselor survey - 837 responses on 1- Counselor survey - 837 responses on

barriers, service challenges & workforce barriers, service challenges & workforce concerns. concerns. 24% identify that they plan to 24% identify that they plan to leave the field within 5 yearsleave the field within 5 years. .

2 – CRS survey - 85 responses - included 2 – CRS survey - 85 responses - included challenges in developing peer services. challenges in developing peer services.

PRO-A Workforce SurveysPRO-A Workforce Surveys


Overview of Overview of

PRO-A Counselor SurveyPRO-A Counselor Survey

PRO-A conducted the statewide survey of the counselor workforce in May 2013, with 837 responses. It is the largest such survey ever done in Pennsylvania.

The average counselor is over 50 years old, Caucasian, and female, holding a master's degree, not in recovery, with over 20 years of work experience.

Only 33.3% of those who completed the survey identified themselves as in recovery.

70% of those who identified themselves as in recovery were in recovery for 20 years or longer.


48.2% - are frequently asked to 48.2% - are frequently asked to provide unnecessary and personal provide unnecessary and personal information about persons they serve information about persons they serve that exceed the PCPC.that exceed the PCPC.

53.1% - some to none of their clients 53.1% - some to none of their clients are getting the proper level and are getting the proper level and duration of services from funders.duration of services from funders.

74.6% - clients gets a shorter duration, 74.6% - clients gets a shorter duration, lower level of care, or that the service lower level of care, or that the service they require is not funded or offered.they require is not funded or offered.

PRO-A Counselor Survey Selected Findings


PA Counselors PA Counselors Leaving the FieldLeaving the Field

Nearly one in four Nearly one in four counselors identify that counselors identify that

they are leaving the field they are leaving the field within five years. within five years.


The average CRS respondent is a The average CRS respondent is a

50 year old, Caucasian male holding a 50 year old, Caucasian male holding a

Bachelors degree, in recovery, Bachelors degree, in recovery,

with 3 to 10 years of work experience.with 3 to 10 years of work experience.

CRS Survey Overview CRS Survey Overview


51.8% were males compared to 35.3% in our counselor survey.

40.5% identified as being other than Caucasian compared to 22.2% in the counselor survey.

Roughly two-thirds of the respondents to the CRS survey identified themselves as in recovery versus one third in the counselor survey.

In relation to the quality and frequency of supervision, a combined total of 22 or 39.3% of the respondents indicated that they did not get supervision as often as they would like, in as good quality as they need, or at all.

CRS Survey Selected CRS Survey Selected findingsfindings


What we learned from our What we learned from our SurveysSurveys

Workers are being pulled in Workers are being pulled in too many directions / too many directions / paperwork, etc.paperwork, etc.

Clients are getting less Clients are getting less services than they need.services than they need.

People are leaving our field People are leaving our field of service. of service.


The good news…The good news…

The response to our survey's was fairly robust, and the The response to our survey's was fairly robust, and the responses made it clear that the workforce cares responses made it clear that the workforce cares

deeply for the people we serve and our deeply for the people we serve and our communities. communities.

Also, we believe that our results may hold some hope Also, we believe that our results may hold some hope for the future. Consider that:for the future. Consider that: Lived experience is important - CRS workers were Lived experience is important - CRS workers were

more than three times likely to be in recovery. more than three times likely to be in recovery. There is less indication of turnover for CRSs, they There is less indication of turnover for CRSs, they

are half as likely to be considering leaving the are half as likely to be considering leaving the drug and alcohol workforce within the next five drug and alcohol workforce within the next five years. years.


Progress in the last few yearsProgress in the last few years

DDAP has initiated a regulatory review to work DDAP has initiated a regulatory review to work towards streamlining regulations while towards streamlining regulations while emphasizing care with clinical integrity. emphasizing care with clinical integrity.

A Workforce group has been formed to look at A Workforce group has been formed to look at ways to expand our workforce - PRO-A has been ways to expand our workforce - PRO-A has been very involved with this group. very involved with this group.

Two licensing alerts have come out of this Two licensing alerts have come out of this process process

New opportunities for persons in recovery New opportunities for persons in recovery There needs to be more widespread There needs to be more widespread

understanding of how these alerts apply at understanding of how these alerts apply at the provider level the provider level


Certified Associate Addictions Certified Associate Addictions Counselors (CAAD) now recognized as Counselors (CAAD) now recognized as Counselors under the Staffing Standards Counselors under the Staffing Standards PA Code 704.7 position of Counselor PA Code 704.7 position of Counselor

What this means is the degree requirement What this means is the degree requirement is no longer a requirement for Counselorsis no longer a requirement for Counselors

This opens up the pathways for non-degreed This opens up the pathways for non-degreed persons who meet the PCB / CAAC persons who meet the PCB / CAAC certification requirements. certification requirements.

Degree Status to meet

position of Counselor

In Pennsylvania


DDAP Div of Program Lic Alert 02-15DDAP Div of Program Lic Alert 02-15

Requirements for the CAACRequirements for the CAAC

Three years (6000 hours) of employment as an alcohol Three years (6000 hours) of employment as an alcohol and drug counselor or supervisor of same within last 7 and drug counselor or supervisor of same within last 7 years. years.

Supervision (300 hours) with a minimum of 10 hours in Supervision (300 hours) with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain. each domain.

Pass the IC&RC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Pass the IC&RC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Counselors.

Signed and dated Code of Ethical Conduct. Signed and dated Code of Ethical Conduct. Signed, dated and notarized Release. Signed, dated and notarized Release. Applicant must either live or work in PA at time of Applicant must either live or work in PA at time of

application at least 51% of the time. application at least 51% of the time.

Full Application requirements: Full Application requirements: https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/applications/PCBCAACApplication_0.pdf


https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/applications/PCBCAACApplication_0.pdf

https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/applications/PCBCAACApplication_0.pdf

The Supervision of The Supervision of Counselor AssistantsCounselor Assistants

Allows an exception be made to the direct observation of a Counselor Allows an exception be made to the direct observation of a Counselor Assistant from 3 months to a reduced amount, but no less than 1 month Assistant from 3 months to a reduced amount, but no less than 1 month under certain circumstances. Exception requests consider if the person: under certain circumstances. Exception requests consider if the person:

Has 6 months prior employment with direct client contact in a licensed Has 6 months prior employment with direct client contact in a licensed residential setting. residential setting. Has a CRS or minimum of 54 CEUs in specific delineated areas.Has a CRS or minimum of 54 CEUs in specific delineated areas.Must be pursuing promotion to be a Counselor.Must be pursuing promotion to be a Counselor.

Assignment of a full case load and change of supervision requirements Assignment of a full case load and change of supervision requirements from Direct Observation to Close Supervision will only occur when the from Direct Observation to Close Supervision will only occur when the supervisor provides a positive assessment of the base line skills of the supervisor provides a positive assessment of the base line skills of the

Counselor Assistant. Counselor Assistant.

DDAP Div of Program Lic Alert 01-15DDAP Div of Program Lic Alert 01-15


Career Pathways in the drug and Career Pathways in the drug and alcohol service systemalcohol service system

The Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) has developed an outline of the The Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) has developed an outline of the general requirements for certification, and requirements to obtain other general requirements for certification, and requirements to obtain other credentials. While some professionals may choose to stay at a certain level, credentials. While some professionals may choose to stay at a certain level, progression through the ladder can occur with the proper experience, progression through the ladder can occur with the proper experience, education and examination. education and examination.

Professionals may begin wherever their current experience and education Professionals may begin wherever their current experience and education level permit. level permit.

It can be found here: It can be found here:

https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/PCB_CareerLadder_2015_Revised.pdf


https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/PCB_CareerLadder_2015_Revised.pdf

PRO-A is dedicated to: PRO-A is dedicated to: Expanding Drug and Alcohol Recovery Support Expanding Drug and Alcohol Recovery Support Services statewideServices statewideStrengthen Supervision components across our Strengthen Supervision components across our systemsystemSupporting long term career pathways across the Supporting long term career pathways across the service systemservice systemTraining system wide on staff engagement, mentoring Training system wide on staff engagement, mentoring and retention strategies and retention strategies Recruiting persons with passion for the work.Recruiting persons with passion for the work.Expanding leadership opportunitiesExpanding leadership opportunitiesOpening up opportunities for advancement Opening up opportunities for advancement through Tuition Reimbursement through Tuition Reimbursement

Moving forward – Strengthening our workforce


state of the drug and alcohol workforce pro-a copyright 2015

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