Become Qualified to Complete Nebraska Standardized Substance Use Evaluations
This is the Nebraska Probation-approved training program for clinicians seeking qualification to complete substance use evaluations using the Nebraska Standardized Model and Standard Reporting Format.
Designed as a comprehensive professional development program, this training provides the knowledge, practical skills, and individualized feedback needed to competently complete substance use evaluations and develop evidence-informed treatment recommendations for individuals with addictive disorders.
Participants begin with a foundational training and then choose to pursue qualification to conduct evaluations for adults, juveniles, or both. Upon successful completion of the required competency-based evaluation submissions, participants receive a Certificate of Completion recognized by Nebraska Probation for the population(s) in which they have demonstrated competency.
Program Pathways
Step 1: Complete the Foundation Course (Required)
Substance Use Evaluation Initial Training (6 Hours)
This foundational course introduces the Nebraska Standardized Model and prepares clinicians to complete comprehensive substance use evaluations across practice settings. Participants will develop the core knowledge and clinical reasoning necessary before pursuing qualification in either the adult or juvenile pathway.
Topics include:
- Preparing for the evaluation
- Risk screening
- Ethical and legal considerations
- Understanding and applying the ASAM Criteria
- Administration and interpretation of common assessment instruments (AUDIT, GAD-7, MAST, and others)
- Diagnosis using the DSM-5-TR and applicable Z Codes
- Stages of change, readiness, and treatment engagement
- Guided instruction for completing the Nebraska Standardized Evaluation
Continuing Education:
6 hours approved for Nebraska Mental Health and Social Work, NAADAC, and Criminogenic CEUs.
Step 2: Choose Your Qualification Pathway
Following completion of the Foundation Course, participants may pursue qualification to complete evaluations for adults, juveniles, or both.
Adult Qualification
Adult Evaluation Competency Review (4 Hours)
Participants complete and submit two practice adult substance use evaluations for individualized review and written feedback.
This supervised competency process reinforces the knowledge gained during the Foundation Course while strengthening clinical reasoning, documentation, and identification of treatment needs. Participants receive individualized feedback and have the opportunity to refine their evaluations before demonstrating competency.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a Certificate of Completion recognized by Nebraska Probation, qualifying them to complete adult substance use evaluations for adults involved with the Nebraska Probation System.
Juvenile Qualification
Juvenile Substance Use Evaluation Training (2 Hours)
This specialized training expands upon the Foundation Course by addressing the unique considerations involved in evaluating adolescents involved with the Nebraska Probation System.
Topics include:
- Developmental considerations in adolescent assessment
- Juvenile-specific requirements within the Nebraska Standardized Model
- Family, caregiver, school, and environmental influences
- Risk and protective factors unique to youth
- Age-appropriate interviewing and engagement strategies
- Evidence-informed treatment recommendations for adolescents
- Guided juvenile evaluation examples
Continuing Education:
2 hours approved for Nebraska Mental Health and Social Work, NAADAC, and Criminogenic CEUs.
Juvenile Evaluation Competency Review (4 Hours)
Participants complete and submit two practice juvenile substance use evaluations for individualized review and written feedback.
This supervised competency process emphasizes the application of the Nebraska Standardized Model to juvenile evaluations while demonstrating competency in documenting developmental considerations, clinical formulation, and treatment recommendations for justice-involved youth.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a Certificate of Completion recognized by Nebraska Probation, qualifying them to complete juvenile substance use evaluations for youth involved with the Nebraska Probation System.
Program Overview
| Step | Training | CE Hours |
| 1 | Foundation Course: Substance Use Evaluation Initial Training | 6 |
| 2A | Adult Evaluation Comptenency Review | 4 |
| 2B | Juvenile Substance Use Evaluation Training | 2 |
| 2C | Juvenile Evaluation Competency Review | 4 |
Qualification Options
Adult Qualification
- Foundation Course (6 hrs)
- Adult Evaluation Competency Review (4 hrs)
Juvenile Qualification
- Foundation Course (6 hrs)
- Juvenile Substance use Evaluation Training (2 hrs)
- Juvenile Evaluation Competency Review (4 hrs)
Dual Qualification
- Foundation Course (6 hrs)
- Adult Evaluation Competency Review (4 hrs)
- Juvenile Substance use Evaluation Training (2 hrs)
- Juvenile Evaluation Competency Review (4 hrs)