Substance Abuse Prevention Academic Credentials Approved

College to Offer Training to Prepare Students for New York State OASAS Credentials

Tompkins Cortland Community College is expanding its offerings for students looking to pursue careers in substance abuse prevention. The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has authorized the College to offer two new academic credentials: Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) and Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS). The coursework is designed to meet the education requirements of the credentials; individuals would also need to complete work experience and then pass an exam in order to earn credentials.

Tompkins Cortland students can fulfill the education requirements for the CPS credential by completing the Chemical Dependency Counseling degree or certificate and taking one additional course: the newly created Introduction to Prevention. The CPP credential carries the additional requirement of a bachelor’s degree, but both credentials are intended for people interested in working in the addictions field in non-counseling capacities, including education, training, community organization, and public policy.
 
“There has been an increased need for prevention workers statewide due to an increase in addiction rates, both pre-pandemic and currently,” said Professor Joseph Smith, chair of the College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling programs. “Employers have expressed an interest in hiring individuals who are competent across the continuum of care of addiction services; prevention, intervention, and treatment.”

With jobs in the addictions field expected to increase significantly over the next ten years, these new offerings address a demonstrated need in the community and statewide. Additionally, the new credentials are perfect complements to the College’s existing Chemical Dependency Counseling program. “The advantage for graduates of our program, and for future grads, is that it will provide them with options for obtaining two credentials, counseling and prevention, thus preparing them for greater opportunities in the field,” said Smith. “Graduates of our program will be well positioned to find rewarding work, and our community will benefit from the education they receive and the skills they develop here at the College.”