Strengthening the CASAC Pathway: Statewide Meeting to Focus on New York’s Future Workforce
New York’s addiction counseling workforce will take center stage on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as educators, providers, policymakers, and credentialing leaders gather at SUNY Broome in Binghamton for a one-day meeting dedicated to strengthening the state’s CASAC training pathway.
The event, titled Strengthening the CASAC Pathway, will bring together stakeholders from across New York to examine how individuals enter the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor profession and identify ways to build a stronger, more accessible workforce.
According to the agenda, participants will explore the experiences of individuals navigating New York’s CASAC credentialing pathway, identify barriers that prevent prospective counselors from completing training and entering the substance use disorder workforce, and begin developing a statewide task force to expand and strengthen the profession.
The meeting will feature a keynote address from Robert Kent, along with presentations from the NYS Association of CASAC Professionals, InUnity Alliance, and representatives from CASAC training programs. Attendees will also join breakout sessions focused on practical strategies to improve recruitment, education, and workforce development.
These discussions come at an important time for New York. Programs across the state continue to report workforce shortages while demand for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services remains high. Expanding educational opportunities, reducing barriers to credentialing, and supporting new counselors entering the profession are priorities shared by many organizations statewide.
The NYS Association of CASAC Professionals welcomes opportunities to collaborate to strengthen the profession and improve access to high-quality addiction counseling services. We look forward to hearing the ideas generated during this meeting and to continuing conversations that support a strong, well-prepared CASAC workforce for every community in New York.
The meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at SUNY Broome, Decker Room 201, 907 Front Street, Binghamton. The invitation asks attendees to RSVP by October 2, 2026.
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