Addiction training programs and courses
IRBEH bridges the divide between research and real-world impact. We work hand-in-hand with communities, clinicians, and educators to co-create pathways for research to inform practice.
Certification-linked courses
Fast Track to CSAC Project
The VCU School of Social Work offers coursework and internship placement opportunities that help students meet the educational and experiential requirements for a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) Certification, offered through the Virginia Board of Counseling.
Peer Recovery Specialist course
In partnership with VCU's Rams in Recovery, the School of Social Work now offers in-person coursework (SLWK 391) for people with lived/living experience with addiction or mental health challenges to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia. This course is open to all students, regardless of major!
Fast Track to CSAC team
Karen Chartier, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Rebecca Smith, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Lauren de Treville Powell, M.Ed., CPRS
Leah Bouchard, Ph.D.
Gideon Javna, M.S.W., LCSW
Thomas Bannard, M.B.A., CPRS, CADC
Yakaira Alexander-Ramos, M.A.
Professional development opportunities
Child Welfare and Addiction Fellowship
With up to 68% of child welfare cases involving a caregiver with an alcohol or other substance use disorder (AOSUD) and child welfare professionals (CWP's) making life-altering decisions about the children in their care, case workers employed in child welfare agencies are a critical target for AOSUD education. The Child Welfare and Addiction Fellowship (CWAF) program aims to increase the capacity of frontline child welfare professionals with the latest training on addiction and evidence-based intervention strategies, to address workforce gaps in AOSUD knowledge and skills.
The CWAF is an extension of the Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP), a workforce development program that operates at five universities across the state of Virginia. In addition to VCU, these schools include Radford University, George Mason University, Norfolk State University, and most recently Virginia State University. Eligible participants are CWSP alumni who are working full-time in a local Department of Social Services agency in Virginia who have passed the probationary period of employment.
Fellows in the CWAF receive a stipend to complete two years of online training to improve their knowledge and skills in screening and identifying AOSUDs among child-welfare involved caregivers, case planning, and referring to effective treatments and interventions.
The education and training program consists of four components provided virtually: weekly clinical group supervision (1 hour per/week for year one), monthly de-identified case consultations (1 hour a month), quarterly foundational workshops (2 hours per quarter), and qualitative interview and surveys (2 hours per year).
- Weekly Clinical Group Supervision is provided to fellows during the first year of the program. Facilitated by an LCSW, participants have the opportunity to receive guidance and feedback in a peer support space. This is particularly advantageous to individuals who are seeking clinical licensure. Group supervision is a safe space to enhance shared learning and skills, brainstorm solutions to complex cases, navigate ethical dilemmas, and explore ways to build support within this challenging, yet rewarding field.
- Monthly Case Consultation Sessions: A collaborative virtual community space where fellows present de-identified cases from their caseloads and receive case-specific feedback and resources from a team of addiction, mental health, and child welfare specialists.
- Quarterly Foundational Workshops: Opportunities for fellows to receive foundational information on substance use and addiction and training on topics related to supporting families with AOSUDs.
- Qualitative Interviews and Surveys: Fellow complete surveys and interviews to evaluate the benefits and challenges of the program and its implementation, which will be used to continuously improve the program's integration in a professional child welfare setting.
To learn more about the fellowship or your eligibility, email the CWAF team at cwstipend@vcu.edu.
Child Welfare and Addiction Fellowship team
Karen Chartier, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Co-Prinicipal Investigator & Evaluation Lead
Mer Francis, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Case Consultation Lead & Evaluator
Naomi Reddish, M.S.W.
CWSP Partnership Coordinator
Amanda Long, M.S.W.
Project Coordinator & Participant Engagement Lead
Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D.
Co-Prinicipal Investigator
Katie Kim, LMSW
Evaluation Team Member
Kristen Van de Riet, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor & Workshop Lead
What our Child Welfare and Addiction fellows are saying
Since beginning the fellowship, I have developed a better understanding that not every treatment method is going to work for every individual and the importance of allowing the clients I work with the opportunity and respect to choose what will work best for them on their journey to beginning and maintaining recovery. Overall, I have enjoyed every aspect of the program.
Alum Rachel Boles (M.S.W.’21)
The most valuable aspect of the fellowship so far for me, has been the engaging conversations and brainstorming sessions with my fellow colleagues from across the state. Gaining new perspectives on cases and learning how other DSS localities operate has encouraged me to think more creatively and approach challenges from different angles.
Alum Sophie Grace (M.S.W.'23)
Since becoming involved in the fellowship, I've been able to advocate more effectively for my clients by educating stakeholders in and out of the courtroom to promote family reunification and to connect clients with services that promote their sobriety.
Alum Maggie Marshall (M.S.’22)
As an Appalachian native working in one of the most impoverished areas of Virginia, my agency is often limited not only by the number of services offered but by our knowledge of lesser-known services as well. The information I’ve learned from other localities and professions regarding the most effective and evidence based services for AOSUD has been invaluable.
Since joining the fellowship I’ve assisted my agency in reworking our supervised visitation policy and taking a closer look at our drug-testing procedures. The fellowship has opened my eyes to the small changes we can make at DSS that can have a large impact on the children and families we work with who are struggling with AOSUD.
Olivia Poston
