Illinois offers funding for training certification of substance use counselors

(The Center Square) – With Illinois faced with a drug crisis that has seen the number of overdose deaths surge by more than 5% as recently as in 2022, Illinois Certification Board Executive Director Chris Boyster is relieved to see state officials now taking on all the help they can in the fight to keep more residents safe.

“The idea came from the fact that both the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Certification Board recognize that there is a workforce crisis in the human service sector and we have seen that the number of people applying to come into the field to be a certified alcohol/drug counselor is not keeping up with the number of people exiting the field because of an aging population,” Boyster told The Center Square. “This program is also going to provide such things as tuition assistance, job placement and other services that might be obstacles to someone completing their program.”

Since recently launching The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or CADC Workforce Expansion Program, Boyster insists organizers have already started to see an increase in the number of individuals applying for the program. The hope is now that Phase 2 is in operation, growth will be even more pronounced. Residents currently enrolled in an ICB Accredited Training Program who have plans of entering a services field can also apply for tuition assistance, scholarship programs and internship stipends.

Boyster adds his experiences have taught him that certain types of individuals make for the best CADC students and ultimately professional counselors.

“You got to have a passion to help others,” he said. “Obviously, you’re not going to become a millionaire by working in this arena, but you’ll get paid back tenfold by helping those often at the lowest point of their life that need help. A lot of times, people that have been in recovery themselves want to go out and help others.”

While more than 1.5 million Illinoisans are now annually affected by substance use disorder, a deeper data dive also points to the impact the field of CADC workers have had, with their work ultimately increasing the chances of an individual recovering largely based on the emotional and psychological support they provide.

“The Department of Human Services has been working to address this issue because they’ve heard it from the provider community for a very long time,” Boyster added. “I think this is an exciting collaboration and investment in the futures of those who want to work in the field.”