Waynesburg University’s Graduate Counseling Program was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation.
The grant provides us with new and exciting opportunities to collaboratively work with aspiring substance-use disorder counselors while contributing to the health and wellness of our communities."
The grant will provide five eligible, non-degree-seeking students with a scholarship to cover 50% of the cost of the four addiction courses that are part of the Certificate in Addiction Counseling Program. In addition, Waynesburg University will cover the remaining 50% of the cost so that the students will be able to complete the four courses at no cost to them.
“It is a tremendous honor to have been awarded this grant,” shared Dr. Kelley McNichols, assistant professor of counseling for the Graduate and Professional Studies Counseling Program. “The grant provides us with new and exciting opportunities to collaboratively work with aspiring substance-use disorder counselors while contributing to the health and wellness of our communities. It is our time to time to translate insight into action thus increasing the efficacy and the sustainability of the behavioral health workforce.”
Funds from the grant will also support the development of Waynesburg’s very own overdose task force and allow for the distribution of overdose prevention kits in the local community.
The purpose of the grant, “Cultivating Substance Use Disorder Counselors of Tomorrow,” is to address the needs of communities by strengthening the substance use disorder workforce with qualified professionals.
Waynesburg’s Addiction Counseling Program is a 2021 Top 50 Master’s Counseling Program for Addiction Counseling as recognized by Addiction Counselor, being ranked No. 4 in the country. Read more
The program was the first CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) accredited program of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania.
