Hawaii
$2.2M grant to train Hawaii substance abuse counselors
HONOLULU (AP) — The College of Hawaii mentioned Thursday it is acquired a $2.2 million grant to coach 88 college students to grow to be substance abuse counselors.
The grant from the U.S. Well being Assets and Companies Administration will present college students with scholarships to attend a program at Leeward Group School. The scholars will even obtain stipends whereas finishing 400 hours of discipline work.
Upon ending, college students will obtain a Certificates of Competence in Substance Use Problems Counseling.
College students who’ve obtained their certificates could have a chance to work one-year full-time or two-years part-time as apprentices to spice up their expertise with on-the-job coaching.
The Hawaii Behavioral Well being Coaching Institute program will provide synchronous on-line lessons so neighbor island college students can enroll.
This system goals to assist coaching alternatives in rural areas and recruit college students with a ardour to serve their residence communities, the college mentioned in a information launch.
“There’s a dearth of substance use dysfunction counselors who come from susceptible, marginalized communities, and these communities sadly usually undergo probably the most substance use-related issues,” mentioned Gwen Williams, professor and program coordinator. “We hope to not solely recruit learners from rural areas but additionally develop fieldwork and apprenticeship websites in these areas.”