Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 Renews Funding

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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With the approval of both Houses of Congress, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 renews funding for the Ohio Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Resource Center. The Workforce Resource Center, an initiative spearheaded by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals and other organizations includes $100,000 for workforce initiatives.

The Center's funding, which is allocated within the budget for the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, was requested by several members of the Ohio Congressional delegation and will serve numerous Ohio communities. Congressional support came from Senator Mike DeWine (who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health), Congressman Ralph Regula (who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) as well as Senator George Voinovich and Representatives David Hobson and Deborah Pryce. Ohio's First Lady, Hope Taft, a trained substance abuse prevention professional, also assisted NAADAC in garnering congressional support.

The Workforce Center is addressing the issues of recruitment, retention, training and career advancement of Ohio professionals who work in substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment. The Center is developing Internet-based career development resources, including continuing education and training programs; and holding educational events on these issues in Ohio. The Center is designed to serve as a national model and NAADAC hopes that the Center's success can be replicated around the nation.

"Congress has recognized Ohio's leadership role in developing new methods to recruit, train and retain addiction professionals. The models and innovation that the Workforce Center develops will provide valuable lessons and guidance for Addiction Professionals throughout the nation who are striving for success in a challenging budgetary environment," said NAADAC Acting-Executive Director Cynthia Moreno Tuohy.