California Substance Use Disorder Earn and Learn Program

BHPrograms@HCAI.ca.gov

The Substance Use Disorder Earn and Learn Program will provide funding for organizations in California to provide education and paid job experience for students earning their substance use disorder (SUD) certification.

Programs must include the following components:

• Provide students with a paid SUD internship of 40 hours a week (20 hours in a work setting and 20 hours in an academic environment) for up to 25 weeks, at the rate of $20.00 per hour, across the state
• Commit to recruitment, training, and internship placement of substance use disorder counselors
• Administer either directly or indirectly, all components of the contract, including but not limited to:
  • Training SUD students
  • Monitoring paid work requirements
  • Monitoring training activities
  • Mentoring students, as appropriate
  • Arranging for student internships at eligible facilities
  • Ensuring the successful completion of the training program which will enable entry into SUD positions, as well as encourage career progression

Awardees are expected to recruit and support students from underserved communities and focus on serving clients from underserved communities. Underserved is defined as:

• At risk of homelessness, institutionalization, incarceration, out-of-home placement, or other serious consequences
• Members of ethnic/racial, cultural, and linguistic populations that do not have access to culturally competent mental health programs
• People in rural areas
• Native Americans

Eligible applicants are organizations that provide alcohol and other drug specific education and paid supervised work experience for students obtaining certification from one of the three certifying organizations: California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators, California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals, and California Association of DUI Treatment Programs in Substance Use Disorders counseling, with an emphasis on treating children and youth.

Awardees must be able to meet the requirements in Attachment B of the application instructions.

Award ceiling: $7,500,000
Project period: 3 years
Estimated total program funding: $23,000,000

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application are available on the program website.

Applicant webinar recording