NYS Association of CASAC Professionals:
Commitees
Strengthening the Profession Through Leadership and Collaboration
The strength of the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals lies in its members, and our committees ensure every voice helps shape the future. These groups are the engine of our mission, creating opportunities for advocacy, professional growth, mentorship, and recognition. By participating, members uphold the CASAC professional standards, influence policy, and contribute to a vibrant professional community. Committees make the Association more than a network. They make it a movement for lasting change.
Our Vision
To be the leading professional force elevating the value, voice, and visibility of Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs) across New York State—empowering a workforce that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and advances the future of behavioral health.
Committees of the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals
Advocacy & Policy Committee
The Advocacy & Policy Committee is the backbone of our public voice. This group monitors legislative developments that affect counselors, clients, and communities across New York. Members review proposed policies, draft position papers, and meet with lawmakers to ensure CASAC professional standards are upheld in statewide systems.
By serving on this committee, CASACs gain direct influence in shaping legislation that impacts their daily work whether it’s securing fair compensation, expanding civil service roles, or protecting the CASAC credential. The committee also prepares members with advocacy tools, scripts, and training, so counselors feel confident engaging policymakers and representing the profession.
Through this collaborative effort, the Advocacy & Policy Committee ensures CASAC professional standards are not only maintained but recognized at every level of government. CASACs serving here become leaders in systemic change, strengthening the profession while protecting the communities we serve.
Professional Development & Training Committee
Continuing education is essential for maintaining CASAC professional standards, and the Professional Development & Training Committee oversees this critical function. Members review, design, and approve training, webinars, and workshops that align with OASAS and NAADAC guidelines.
The committee ensures training reflects the latest evidence-based practices, covering areas like motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction. CASACs on this committee also identify emerging needs in the field, creating new learning opportunities that prepare counselors for real-world challenges.
By participating, members not only support their peers’ professional growth but also gain insight into curriculum design, content development, and training evaluation. The committee’s work ensures that CASAC professional standards are more than theoretical. Tthey are lived through practical, high-quality education. This strengthens both individual careers and the profession’s credibility across New York State.
Membership & Engagement Committee
The Membership & Engagement Committee focuses on building and sustaining the lifeblood of the Association: its members. This group manages recruitment, retention, and mentorship, ensuring that the CASAC professional standards are reinforced through strong peer connections.
Committee members design initiatives that welcome new CASAC-Ts, provide mentorship for early-career counselors, and create retention strategies for seasoned professionals. By organizing engagement activities and member spotlights, they keep the community active and inspired.
Participation in this committee allows CASACs to develop leadership and outreach skills while making a direct impact on the strength of the Association. The work ensures members feel valued, supported, and connected, key ingredients in sustaining CASAC professional standards statewide.
Ethics & Standards Committee
Ethics are the foundation of effective practice, and the Ethics & Standards Committee safeguards this foundation. Members oversee adherence to the Association’s Code of Ethics, modeled after OASAS and NAADAC principles.
This committee reviews concerns, educates members on ethical practice, and develops resources to help CASACs navigate complex dilemmas in counseling. Their role ensures that CASAC professional standards remain consistent and credible, protecting both clients and professionals.
CASACs who join this committee gain expertise in ethical decision-making and become champions of accountability within the profession. By actively guiding ethical practices, the committee strengthens public trust and ensures that counselors across New York deliver care grounded in integrity.
Strengthening CASAC Professionals
Advance
Advance your professional growth through education, certification, and ongoing support. The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals provides members with access to trainings, leadership opportunities, and resources that strengthen skills and expand career pathways in New York’s behavioral health workforce.
Unify
Unify with peers across New York State to build a stronger, more connected profession. Membership creates opportunities to collaborate, network, and share expertise while fostering solidarity among CASACs who are committed to ethical standards and excellence in addiction counseling.
Advocate
Advocate for recognition, fair compensation, and workforce protections. Through collective action, the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals amplifies the voice of CASACs, engages with policymakers, and works to ensure every counselor is valued as an essential contributor to New York’s behavioral health system.
Shape the Future—Join a Committee Today
Your voice matters, and your leadership is needed. By joining the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals, you not only benefit from training, networking, and advocacy but also play an active role in upholding CASAC professional standards. Together, we advance careers, unify counselors, and strengthen New York’s behavioral health workforce.
