Lewis University Professor of psychology Dr. Kimberly Duris, Ed. D., LCPC, CADC, has secured $278,000 in Phase 2 funding from the Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) Workforce Expansion Program, which is supported by the Illinois Certification Board and the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR).
This funding is part of a statewide initiative to offer the growing shortage of certified addiction counselors in Illinois amid a continuing rise of overdose deaths. The CADC Workforce Expansion Grant, first launched in July 2023, aims to expand the behavioral health workforce by covering education, certification, and professional development costs for future addiction counselors.
“This grant allows us to break down barriers for students pursuing addiction counseling,” said Dr. Duris, who serves as Director of Training for Lewis University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program and the Advanced Training Program in Addictions (ATP). “By supporting their education and training, we’re strengthening both our students’ futures and the future of community mental health in Illinois.”
The $278,000 in Phase 2 funding, which began in August 2025 and runs through June 2026, will provide students in Lewis University’s Advanced Training Program in Addictions (ATP) with comprehensive financial assistance and career support.
Through this grant, students can receive tuition reimbursement for up to eight approved ATP courses, easing the financial burden of completing their academic requirements. In addition, each student will be awarded a $7,500 internship stipend, helping to offset the costs of gaining supervised clinical experience in the field. To further support accessibility, the grant also covers mileage reimbursement for travel to and from classes and field placement sites, ensuring that transportation does not become a barrier to participation.
Recognizing the diverse needs of graduate students, the program also provides childcare and eldercare reimbursement for those balancing family responsibilities while attending classes. Each student will receive a new laptop, valued at $700, which they may keep after completing the program, allowing them to stay connected and engaged throughout their studies.
Beyond financial aid, the grant includes career development resources to help students transition successfully into the workforce. As they near graduation, students will receive job placement assistance and a study guide to prepare for the Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) examination. Students must commit to pursuing a CADC credential and agree to work for at least two years in a SUPR-licensed substance use treatment program after graduation.
The Phase 1 portion of the grant, which remains active, provides funding for current CADC professionals seeking recertification or initial certification fee support. Both phases operate simultaneously and are funded annually based on the availability of state grant resources.
Dr. Duris originally wrote the grant in Fall 2024, earning an initial $170,000 award in December 2024. Her revised proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 expanded the number of eligible ATP courses and successfully secured the larger $278,000 award.
“This program is not just about funding—it’s about creating opportunities,” Duris said. “It ensures that our graduates are ready to meet the increasing need for compassionate, well-trained addiction counselors throughout Illinois.”
As part of the grant, Lewis University students will also have the opportunity to apply for conference scholarships—valued up to $1,150—to attend the Illinois Certification Board’s Fall or Spring Member Conferences for professional networking and continued learning.
Through the CMHC and ATP programs, Lewis University continues to prepare the next generation of ethical and skilled counselors equipped to address the pressing challenges of substance use and mental health in their communities.
