Grant pays for outreach training

An anonymous foundation recently renewed a grant for the Outreach Training Institute (OTI), a division of the Outreach Project, to provide full need-based scholarships and job placement assistance for its Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training program.
“The grant allows people who don’t have the resources to enroll in a very comprehensive program,” said Mark Armiento, Vice President of the Outreach Project. “It will definitely attract more students.”
In 2006, at locations in Richmond Hill and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, OTI started giving full and partial need-based scholarships to trainees who had low incomes or limited employment histories. The scholarships allowed students not only to attend a 350-hour diploma program in substance abuse counseling, but to receive help with resumes, computer training, vocational assistance and internships or career placement.
Students at Richmond Hill often receive scholarships to pay the $4,450 cost of tuition. According to Outreach Project records, 42 percent of Richmond Hill students last year received this full need-based scholarship, while other students received partial scholarships or scholarships for employees in the counseling field.
To get funding, all students must show documentation of a high school diploma or G.E.D. Applicants for aid must be New York City residents and have prior and current year annual income of $20,000 or less to qualify.
Over 11 months, students will complete the course work required by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) in order to become credentialed counselors.
Students will meet with instructors on a monthly basis. If needed. Advisors help make referrals to other career services related to ESL, basic computer skills, writing and communication skills. There is also an opportunity to attend Ongoing Life Skills group job counseling, which guides students through budgeting and the job search.
For more information, visit opiny.org/training.htm, call 718-847-9233 or e-mail scholarship.outreach@yahoo.com.