Substance Abuse Assistant, CSC

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G3 Eligible Program– Qualifying students may have ZERO costs for tuition, fees, and textbooks.
Learn more at https://brightpoint.edu/training-workforce/g3.

PURPOSE: This one-year program prepares students for entry-level jobs in the substance abuse field. All career-technical degrees are guided by input from local business leaders. All career-technical degrees are guided by advisory committees comprised of local business leaders.

CREDENTIALS: A Career Studies Certificate(CSC) is a program of study typically less than one year in length with a major in a career-technical area. Students receiving a CSC intend to pursue immediate employment. Completion of this degree fulfills some of the education requirements for state certification as a substance abuse assistant.

The college has entered into a regional reciprocity agreement through NC-SARA to accept out-of-state students (except for students residing in California) in our online programs and courses. Students may contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) at 804-225-2600 or communications@schev.edu for information related to state agency contacts for complaint resolution. General disclosure information about external certification or licensure requirements outside the state of Virginia may be found at www.brightpoint.edu/NC-SARA.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet Brightpoint admission requirements. New students should work with their New Student Navigator to get ready for their first semester. They can also email getstarted@brightpoint.edu for assistance. Continuing students should work with their faculty advisor on academic planning and graduation requirements.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an introductory level of competency in the following skills:

Exhibit knowledge of human services theory, vocabulary, and skills needed in the field.
Identify the purpose of human services and its ongoing role in working with individuals, families, groups, communities and society.
Integrate human services theory and skills into practice.
Recognize the various types of addictions and the differences among them.

Required Courses

HMS 100 - Introduction to Human Services 3 credits
HMS 251 - Substance Abuse I 3 credits
HMS 252 - Substance Abuse II 3 credits (Offered Spring only) Additional Course Option: ADJ 228 .
HMS 258 - Case Management and Substance Abuse 3 credits
MEN 101 - Mental Health Skill Training I 3 credits
MEN 102 - Mental Health Skill Training II 3 credits Additional course option: MEN 198 .
MEN 190 - Coordinated Practice 3 credits Additional course option: MEN 290 .
MEN 196 - On-Site Training 3 credits Additional course option: MEN 296 .

Total Minimum Credits to Complete: 24

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements can be found in course details.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their ENG, MTH, and SDV requirements first.

Students should regularly meet with their faculty advisor and check their degree progress by accessing advisement reports in the Student Information System (SIS) in the myBrightpoint portal or the Academic Planner in Navigate.

Students must obtain a grade of “C” or better in all Human Services sequence courses (HMS 100 , MEN 101 , and MEN 102 ) in order to remain in the program.

Students must meet with their advisor prior to enrolling in MEN 190 and MEN 196 .

Students must complete HMS 100 and MEN 101 prior to enrolling in MEN 102

HMS 100, MEN 101 and HMS 251 must be completed prior to enrolling in MEN 190 and MEN 196.

MEN 190 and MEN 196 are co-requisites and must be taken in the same semester. (MEN 290 and MEN 296 are co-requisites and must be taken the same semester.) All students who plan to pursue a degree or certificate in Human Services are required to complete a 100 hour internship. Students pursuing a Substance Abuse Assistant Certificate must secure a practicum in a substance abuse agency or facility. Students will secure their own internship sites prior to the start of their MEN 190 and MEN 196 classes or their MEN 290 and MEN 296 classes. All internships must be approved by the Human Services and Mental Health Program Chair.

Students must complete HMS 251 with a grade of “C” or better prior to enrolling in HMS 252 or ADJ 228, or HMS 258.

Students entering the public or private sectors of human services will be subjected to criminal background and sex offender registry checks and a TB screening as a condition of their placement in a training/practicum site. Students will be expected to cover any costs incurred for these procedures. This may also be required as a condition of employment.

Students with a criminal record should contact the Program Head to discuss their practicum placement for MEN 190 & 196 prior to the start of those courses. Depending on their record they may have a difficult time, or be unable to find an internship.

Students who are younger than 18 years old will be unable to secure the required internship. They will be unable to complete the requirements of this Human Services degree until they legally become an adult.

This program is in compliance with State of Virginia requirements for certification as a Substance Abuse Assistant.