The Illinois Certification Board and IDHS/SUPR are partnering to offer the CADC Workforce Expansion program!
The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) and the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) are pleased to share the re-launch of the CADC Workforce Expansion Program for Fiscal Year 2025.
This initiative is a new workforce incentive program for certified alcohol and other drug counselors (CADCs) in Illinois. Under this program, individuals in an ICB Accredited Training Program (ATP) wishing to enter the substance use services field in Illinois can receive tuition payments, scholarships, internship stipends, and certification-related payments to obtain their CADC credential.
The program will also help with job placement, credential renewal, continuing education, and other incentives to reduce barriers to education and workforce participation. To be eligible for the program, individuals must pursue a CADC credential and agree to a 2-year employment period within an Illinois SUPR-licensed/SUPR-funded prevention, treatment, harm-reduction, or recovery organization.
Two Funds for Phase 1 were continued: the CADC Workforce Retention Fund and the Initial CADC Application Fund.
To view the applications, click here
During the second phase, we will fully implement the CADC Workforce Expansion Program and provide funding to support individuals enrolled in an ICB ATP who wish to enter Illinois's substance use behavioral health field. During this phase, funding will cover tuition, scholarships, internship stipends, credential payments, and other wraparound services.
For questions on how to participate as a student in Phase 2, please contact the participating schools representative listed below.
Aurora University
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
College of Lake County
Governors State University
Kennedy-King College
Loyola University
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
University of St. Francis
Learn more about becoming a CADC.