CASAC Association News and Blog
New York State Mental Health Hearing
Testimony Introducing the CASAC Credential New York State Mental Health Hearing Good afternoon, Chair, Senators, and members of the assembly. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is A. Maria Mendez, CASAC Adv. BS, Founder/CEO of the NYS Association of...
Overdose Trends in New York
Overdose Trends in New York: What the Latest Data Means to SUD Treatment Let’s talk about what’s actually happening on the streets, not just what people tweet about. According to multiple state reports, New York’s overdose landscape has shifted. After years of grim...
What New York’s Workforce Hearings Mean for CASAC Job Security in 2026
Let me ask you something about CASAC Job Security. How many times in the last year have you checked your email and felt that little punch in your stomach when you saw “budget update” in the subject line? Yeah. Me too. If you work in substance use treatment in New...
Internet Gaming Disorder in Young Adults Is Not a Side Quest. It Is a Clinical Issue.
You have probably heard gaming problems framed as a teen thing. Then you meet a 28-year-old who is “tired all the time,” missing work, fighting with a partner, and quietly gaming until 3:00 a.m. most nights. No arrests. No dirty tox. No obvious crisis. Just a...
Act Now: Protect Health Coverage and Addiction Services Funding
Act Now: Protect Health Coverage and Addiction Services Funding You do not need another health coverage or policy headline. You need a fast, clear action that protects real people. Health coverage is more than insurance. It is access to addiction treatment, mental...
The Year in Drugs 2025
In The Year in Drugs 2025, researchers highlight 2025 as a pivotal year in the U.S. drug landscape, marked by significant shifts in overdose trends and substance use patterns. After years of rising deaths driven by synthetic opioids, provisional CDC data show a...
Breaking News: OASAS Updates Mandated Reporter Training Requirements for CASACs
Breaking News: OASAS Updates Mandated Reporter Training Requirements for CASACs If you’re a CASAC, CPP, or CPS in New York State, this update is for you. Please read it carefully. OASAS and OCFS have officially changed the Mandated Reporter Training requirement, and...
Clinical Supervision in Substance Use Counseling: Implementing and Maintaining Evidence-Based Practices
In substance use counseling, the significance of clinical supervision cannot be overstated. It serves as the backbone for ensuring that evidence-based practices are not only implemented but also maintained effectively. This article delves into the multifaceted...
News Brief: CASAC Leadership to Testify Before NYS Assembly on Behavioral Health Workforce
CASAC Leadership to Testify Before NYS Assembly on Behavioral Health Workforce The New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Abuse will hold a public hearing to examine the current status of the behavioral health workforce. The...
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