History
The Alcoholism Council of New York (ACNY) was the original site where the first substance abuse counseling courses were created at the request of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYSOASAS). The Education and Training Services (ETS) Department of the Alcoholism Council of New York (ACNY) opened its classroom doors over 35 years ago in the Institute of Medical Professionals in 1966. Today, the ETS Department maintains its rank as New York City's pre-eminent provider of instruction in the field of alcohol and substance abuse treatment.

In September 2003, the Institute for Professional Development in the Addictions honored ACNY with the Excellence in Addictions Education award. ACNY was also recognized by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in December 2003 with an Award for Excellence in Chemical Dependency and Prevention Services.

Credentialing Programs
The ETS Department offers a comprehensive curriculum for beginning students and practicing professionals that includes courses in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of chemically dependent populations and their families through the following programs:

Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counselor Training Program (ASACTP)
By 1986, the ETS Department introduced the Alcoholism / Substance Abuse Counselor Training Program (ASACTP). This served as an intensive training program for professionals eager to become Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC). It is convenient for part-time (50 or more hours per semester) and full-time (75 or more hours per semester) students. The program provides all the education/training hours required by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYSOASAS) for the CASAC. The focus is on developing an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor identity through a program designed to meet the particular needs of each student. A person enrolled as a full-time or part-time student receives extensive advisement, program guidance, and ongoing feedback. ETS students usually take one or more courses each term. All of these courses can also be applied to CASAC recredentialing.

CASAC Certificate Program (formerly the Nine Month CASAC Certificate Program - NMCCP)
In September 2000, ETS offered for the first time a comprehensive CASAC Certificate Program. This schedule was developed in response to numerous requests from individuals working full-time who are attempting to complete their 350 educational clock hours toward the CASAC as quickly as possible.

This program enables a student with no previous credit toward the 350 hours of NYSOASAS-required education to complete this training in nine months or less by attending classes three evenings per week and on Saturdays.

In addition to shortening the amount of time students might ordinarily take to fulfill the NYSOASAS CASAC requirement, the program offers academic advisement to ensure that clock hours are appropriately applied to the four NYSOASAS-required course categories. Click on the credentialing button above for OASAS course guidelines.

Students already in possession of educational clock hours toward the CASAC requirement may benefit from a modified version of the CASAC Certificate Program, depending on the number of incomplete hours and course categories still needed. Students enjoy tuition incentives and may take advantage of several payment options. In addition, they have access to ETS Department's resources regarding employment and internship opportunities.

Enrollment is ongoing, but seating is limited. If you would like to learn more about these programs, please contact us at (212) 252-7001, ext. 122, or at tstewart.acny@alcoholism.org.