This training grant is a collaboration between the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) and the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) to encourage individuals to enter the human services field as substance use counselors and employment specialists. Individuals interested in these fields can receive up to a 50% tuition waiver for classes leading to these certifications. Current students also can receive help to cover the costs of taking the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) licensing exam. We are also making CADC and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) study guides available at the UMA and UMF libraries.
The benefits are available for new and current students during the current grant period from May 1, 2023 until December 31, 2024.
Free Student Tuition for Specific Courses at UMA & UMF
The two critical workforce areas this grant targets are 1) courses that lead to licensure in alcohol and drug counseling in Maine and 2) courses to become an employment specialist (ES).
Alcohol and Drug Counseling Courses
UMA and UMF offer the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician (SART) certificate program, which is designed to provide students with the necessary coursework to meet the education requirements for entry-level licensure in substance use disorder treatment in Maine. Delivered entirely online, the 10-course SART certificate program prepares students to become Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs). New and current UMA and UMF students can receive up to a 50% tuition waiver when enrolled in the SART certificate program. To be eligible for the SART grant, prospective students must apply for admission to UMA or UMF, and there is no cost to apply. Once accepted into the SART certificate program, students can apply online for grant funding, which covers up to 50% of the tuition for SART Courses.
SART Grant Tuition Waiver Application Form »
The SART 10 course curriculum includes:
- UMA HUS 101 Introduction to Human Services or UMF REH 120 – Introduction to Social Services (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 125 Introduction to Substance Use Disorder or UMF REH 250 Addictive Behaviors and Recovery (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 212 Case Management or UMF REH 310 Principles of Casework (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 232 Crisis Intervention (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 233 Trauma Recognition and Intervention or UMF REH 420 Trauma and Resiliency (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 305 Group Process or UMF REH 305 Group Process (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 308 Assessment and Planning (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 326 Counseling for Substance Use Disorder (3 credits)
- UMA HUS 335 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counseling within Diverse Populations (3 credits)
- Select one of the following 3 credit courses:
- UMA HUS 222 Psychosocial Rehabilitation or UMF REH 249 Psychiatric Rehabilitation OR
- UMA HUS 332 – Relational Systems that Support Substance Use Disorders (SUD) OR
- UMA HUS 342 – Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and Trauma
Employment Specialist (ES) Courses
The other grant funded pathway is the UMF Employment Specialist (ES) certification. This two course sequence can lead to national certification as an employment specialist from ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators). These two completely online courses prepare students to work closely with people with disabilities, and other limiting conditions, to help them find and maintain employment.
In order to be eligible for the tuition waiver for one of these two courses, you will need to enroll in the course.
Once enrolled in either REH 270 and/or REH 271 at UMF (or REHF 270 and/or REHF 271 at UMA), you can apply for the tuition waiver.
Students at UMA or UMF can take these two courses to pursue this credential. UMF employment specialist curriculum:
- UMF REH 270 Fundamentals of Vocational Counseling and Placement
- UMF REH 271 Applied Techniques of the Vocational Process
Access to Study Guides
Study guides are available at the following locations: UMF campus library, UMA Bangor campus library and the UMA Augusta campus library. Two study guides, one for the CADC national exam and one for the LADC national exam, are available at each location.
The CADC study guide is by Ready to Test, titled Getting Ready To Test (M404): A Review and Preparation Manual for Drug and Alcohol Credentialing Exams (9th Edition).
The LADC study guide is by Ready to Test, titled Getting Ready To Test (M404SUP): A Supplemental Review/Preparation Manual for the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Credentialing Examination.
Reimbursement for licensing exams fees:
Grant funds are available to support current UMA and UMF in pursuing a professional license as a substance use disorders counselor. Study guides for the national exams have been purchased and are now available at UMF and UMA campus libraries for students to use. Students can also apply for reimbursement for the costs of the national exam once they have passed. These options prove ways to reduce student barriers towards the pursuit of state level substance use disorders treatment licensure.
The collaboration is being funded by a $285,000 grant from the University of Maine System (UMS) Talent, Research & Innovation for Maine – Small Campus Initiative using funds allocated to the UMS from the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) is Governor Mills’ plan approved by the Legislature to utilize Maine’s share of the federal pandemic relief funds provided by Congress. The MJRP funds came to the University of Maine System for workforce development, and were awarded for this project by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.
UMA, known for its excellence in Mental Health and Human Services (MHHS) education, offers a comprehensive program in Mental Health and Human Services through the College of Professional Studies. UMF boasts a well-established Rehabilitation and Human Services program under the Division of Community Health Education, Recreation, and Rehabilitation Services. The collaboration will leverage the strengths and expertise of both institutions to provide students with a more robust and comprehensive educational experience. By sharing resources, faculty expertise, and best practices, UMA and UMF aim to produce graduates who are exceptionally well-prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare and human services landscape.