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Training the Next Generation of Addiction Counselors

Three times a week for the past six months, Salesha Macray finished her day’s work as an assistant in Haymarket Center’s treatment programs, took a quick break, and then spent the evening online pursuing studies to advance her career as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Salesha is one of a handful of students to receive a scholarship available to Haymarket Center employees to pursue training through our accredited Professional Learning Center’s Addiction Counselor Preparatory Training Program.

This year, for the first time, the training course was offered entirely online. The course provides learners from across Illinois with the skills and knowledge to pass the state’s CADC examination and succeed in their careers as treatment professionals.

“I love where I work and what I do,” comments Salesha Macray, explaining how she stayed motivated to study from 6 pm to 9 pm after a full day’s work. She described the faculty as patient with dedicated teachers who stayed late as needed to make sure these students received full attention in a virtual setting.

Salesha won the competitively awarded scholarship which covered three-quarters of her tuition. Salesha adds that the scholarship is an example of how “Haymarket supports us with programs that can make us better at what we do.” 

Salesha’s next steps are to take the CADC test and offer 300 hours of service as an intern, which she will complete at Haymarket Center. In years ahead, Salesha aspires to continue her learning journey in order to care for those who have co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.

1 SAMHSA, 2014, Gambling Problems: An Introduction for Behavioral Health Services Providers