Workforce Development

There is broad consensus that the addictions workforce is facing a crisis. IRETA and the Northeast ATTC hold workforce development as a priority area, both locally and nationally. Low wages, high turnover, a shortage of workers, insufficient professional development and stigma all currently contribute to this crisis. In addition, the workforce is being challenged with the demand for increased accountability, limited access to information technology and the need to rapidly incorporate scientific advances into the treatment process. Healthcare reform is predicted to add an additional 32 million individuals seeking treatment to the behavioral healthcare system—an influx for which the current workforce is not prepared.

IRETA and the Northeast ATTC advocate for policies that support workforce development and engage directly in training and technical assistance to improve the quality of care that the addictions workforce provides. The resources below outline some of the many complicated and interconnected issues surrounding addictions treatment and propose strategies to build a competent, sustainable addictions workforce.

Resources

IRETA/Annapolis Coalition (2010): Tomorrow’s success depends on our great asset: our workers
Morris, Hoge and Stuart (2009): Testimony Prepared by the Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Workforce Issues in Healthcare Reform: Assessing the Present and Preparing for the Future
Annapolis Coalition (2007): An Action Plan for Behavioral Health Workforce Development
SAMHSA (2007): Strengthening Professional Identity: Challenges of the Addictions Treatment Workforce
National Addiction Technology Transfer Center Priority Area: Workforce Development
IRETA (2004): Taking Action to Build a Stronger Addiction Workforce

Organizations

The Annapolis Coalition
Addiction Technology Transfer Network
National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)