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://www.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 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 290 - Coordinated Internship 4 credits

Total Minimum Credits to Complete: 22

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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

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 complete HMS 100 and MEN 101 prior to enrolling in MEN 102.

HMS 100, MEN 101, MEN 102 and HMS 251 must be completed prior to enrolling in MEN 290.

Students must complete HMS 251 with a grade of “C” or better prior to enrolling in HMS 252 or ADJ 228, or MEN 290.

In MEN 290 students will complete 100 hours of practical hands-on training. Please read the Internship Requirements & Expectations in full. Students will secure their own internship sites prior to the start of their MEN 290 class. All internships must be approved by the Human Services and Mental Health Program Chair.

Students pursuing a Substance Abuse Assistant Certificate must secure a practicum in a substance use agency or facility.

Students may be subjected to criminal background, sex offender registry checks, TB screenings and/or other tests/checks as a condition of their placement in an internship site. Students will be expected to cover any costs incurred for these procedures.

Students with a criminal record should contact the Program Head to discuss their practicum placement for MEN 290 prior to the start of those courses. A criminal record can decrease internship possibilities and may add additional barriers to finding a placement, however, there are opportunities out there for students with criminal records.

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