We strongly encourage CSAC’s to be able to provide SUD services within their scope of practice as outlined by the Board of Counseling’s most recent guidance document dated January 23, 2020, which states, in part  

“A certified substance abuse counselor shall be (i) qualified to perform, under appropriate supervision or direction, the substance abuse treatment functions of screening, intake, orientation, the administration of substance abuse assessment instruments, recovery and relapse prevention planning, substance abuse treatment, case management, substance abuse or dependence crisis intervention, client education, referral activities, record keeping, and consultation with other professionals; (ii) qualified to be responsible for client care of persons with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence.”   

We are asking to review CSAC's providing ASAM 1.0 outpatient services that are aligned with the scope of practice of a CSAC, such as individual SUD counseling and psychoeducational groups.  Doing so would reduce barriers to treatment by creating more treatment opportunities for individuals, provide more staffing to serve our population, and increasing engagement.