Advance | Unify | Advocate for CASACs Across NYS
NYS Association of CASAC Professionals
Advancing the voice, value, and visibility of Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) across New York State.
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals is the collective voice for addiction counselors in New York State. We unite and support Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) through education, advocacy, and professional development—empowering a workforce that transforms lives and strengthens communities.
Who We Are
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals (NYS-CASAC) is a membership-based professional association dedicated to advancing the professional identity, support systems, and recognition of Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) in New York State.
We promote CASAC certification in New York, continuing education, workforce development, and advocacy to elevate the role of substance use counselors in the behavioral health field.
The Challenge of Being a CASAC
Why Our Work Matters
CASACs are the backbone of New York’s behavioral health system, yet too often, our role is undervalued, disconnected, and overlooked. The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals exists to close these gaps and elevate the profession.
Awareness Gap
The CASAC role is consistently undervalued and underutilized in many OASAS programs. Many OASAS programs hire only one or two CASACs to satisfy minimum requirements, while licensed professionals fill most positions. This ongoing practice not only diminishes the visibility of CASAC expertise but also significantly limits the profession’s overall impact across the behavioral health workforce.
Connection Gap
CASACs deserve access to strong peer networks, shared resources, and a unified voice within the community. For the first time, there is an association solely dedicated to representing and empowering CASAC professionals providing the essential support and solidarity our workforce has long needed, ultimately fostering collaboration and enhancing professional development opportunities for everyone involved.
Partnership Gap
Collaboration is essential, but opportunities for CASACs to partner meaningfully with allied professionals remain underdeveloped. While national organizations exist, none are focused exclusively on the unique needs of CASACs in New York. The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals is building those partnerships to ensure our voice is amplified in every conversation that shapes behavioral health.
Mission, Vision and Core Values
Mission Statement
“To advance, unify, and advocate for Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) across New York State.”
Vision
To be the leading professional force elevating the value, voice, and visibility of CASACs—empowering a workforce that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and advances the future of behavioral health.
Core Values
Professional Excellence – High standards in training, certification, and ethical practice.
Advocacy & Advancement – Recognition, rights, and reimbursement for CASACs.
Innovation in Workforce Development – Forward-thinking education and tools.
Unity & Collaboration – A strong, inclusive professional community.
Integrity & Accountability – Transparency and ethical responsibility.
Setting Standards for the Profession
We support CASACs in upholding the highest professional standards:
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Code of Ethics (aligned with OASAS & NAADAC)
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CASAC Professional Standards and evidence-based guidelines
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CASAC Continuing Education in NY: CEUs, workshops, and webinars
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Specializations within CASAC and social work
Learn More About CASAC Professional Standards
Grow Your CASAC Career in New York
Career Center:
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals Career Center connects you to statewide opportunities. Explore the CASAC Job Board in New York to find open roles across treatment settings, or access OASAS-approved internship listings designed to help CASAC-Ts gain supervised training and meet credentialing requirements.
Professional Development:
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals strengthens careers through professional development. Members gain access to networking events and mentorship programs, leadership roles and committee service, and volunteer advocacy and outreach opportunities—empowering CASACs to expand influence, build skills, and shape the future of behavioral health in New York.
Workforce Planning:
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals supports workforce planning in New York by guiding employers and agencies. We provide salary benchmarks, supervision guidelines, and recruitment and retention strategies ensuring CASACs are valued, supported, and integrated as essential professionals across the state’s behavioral health workforce.
CASAC Pathway:
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals provides clear guidance through the CASAC Pathway in New York. Discover how to become a CASAC-T, advance to full CASAC status, and successfully maintain your credential with training opportunities that strengthen professional practice, ensure compliance, and support long-term career growth in behavioral health across the state.
Advocating for CASAC Professionals Across New York
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals is dedicated to advancing recognition, fair treatment, and systemic change for counselors statewide. Our advocacy focuses on clear policy priorities, including better pay, licensing protections, and civil service inclusion. Through petitions, rallies, and legislative briefings, we mobilize members to take action. We also lead social justice and anti-oppression initiatives, ensuring equity remains central to the CASAC role. By building collaborative partnerships with behavioral health organizations, our advocacy amplifies the CASAC voice and strengthens the profession’s impact across New York.
Staying Connected Through Support, Events, and News
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals keeps members engaged and informed with peer support networks, annual events, and the latest news shaping the counseling profession. From shared resources to statewide gatherings and timely updates, we ensure CASACs remain connected, supported, and empowered across New York.
Professional Community
We foster a strong sense of professional identity and solidarity among CASACs through networking, mentorship, and community-building initiatives. Whether through regional meetups, online forums, or annual events, our goal is to reduce isolation, combat burnout, and create a shared space for learning, collaboration, and mutual encouragement.
Conferences and Networking Events
The Association will host 3 summits and and annual conference as well as professional gatherings featuring timely updates on addiction science, policy changes, best practices, and workforce trends. These events provide valuable networking opportunities, allowing members to build relationships, share expertise, and grow their professional community.
Current Trends and News
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals keeps you engaged through CASAC conferences in New York, approved training workshops and trainings, and our annual meeting. Member spotlights and newsletters showcase achievements, share updates, and highlight the vital role CASACs play in advancing behavioral health statewide.
Join the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals
Becoming a member of the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals means more than joining an organization. It’s stepping into a statewide network dedicated to elevating the CASAC role. Membership gives you voting rights, exclusive training, workshops, powerful resources, and direct access to advocacy updates shaping our profession. Connect with peers, grow as a leader, and advance your career while ensuring CASAC voices are heard across New York.
Choose the path that fits you. Regular Member, Associate Member, or Student Member, and take your place in building the future of substance use counseling.
Join Now and Empower the CASAC Workforce
