West Virginia Northern Community College Announces 2 New Programs

West Virginia Northern Community College

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Substance Abuse Intervention Programs at West Virginia Northern Community College.

 WV Northern is pleased to announce two new academic programs to train individuals to work in the field of Substance Abuse Intervention as Peer Recovery Support Specialists or Prevention Specialists.

The “Substance Abuse Intervention Technician” Skill Set is a 29 credit hour program in which students take technical classes for college credits, the majority of which will transfer to other colleges or universities toward an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field.  Students who successfully complete this program (which requires 500 practicum hours) and have a personal recovery experience are then eligible to apply and test for the Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification through the WV Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals. (WVCBAPP.org).  Individuals who can verify that they have already completed 500 hours of paid or volunteer work experience at a qualified Substance Use Disorder treatment facility can petition for and may be granted credit for these practicum classes.

Students who wish to pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree can pursue the 60 credit hour “Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist” degree, All courses from the Skill Set will fulfill the requirements for the first year of the Associate degree. Students also complete 200 hours in a field experience/internship at a qualified Substance Use Disorder treatment facility.  Individuals who can verify that they have already completed the additional 200 hours can petition for and may be granted credit for the internship.  Students who successfully complete the Associate degree and who have also completed 2,000 hours of clinical experience or on the job training may be eligible to apply and test for the Prevention Specialist I credential through the WVCBAPP.