Project BEST Expands Pathways to Addiction Counseling Licensure

To help strengthen Nebraska's behavioral health workforce, the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Grace Abbott School of Social Work (GASSW) and Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare created Project BEST, opening new pathways to addiction counseling licensure.

➡️ What's new: Project BEST—Building Expertise in Substance Treatment—has successfully completed two of three summer intensive courses designed to help students and working professionals pursue Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC) licensure. The program's third and final course, Treatment Issues in Chemical Dependency, will be offered July 20-24, 2026.

💡 Why it matters: Substance use disorders continue to affect millions of Americans, yet many people who need treatment cannot access it due to a shortage of qualified providers.

According to the American Addiction Centers' 2025 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statistics report, substance use disorders are on the rise nationwide while treatment access remains limited.

By the numbers:

• Approximately 16.8% of Americans experienced a substance use disorder in 2024.
• That figure has increased by more than eight million people since 2020.
• Only 23% of individuals with substance use disorders receive treatment.
• Project BEST aims to increase the number of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) in the Region 6 service area by 10%.

By making licensure coursework more accessible, Project BEST is helping address a critical workforce need while expanding treatment capacity across eastern Nebraska.

🔎 Zoom in: Supported by grant funding, Project BEST offers each required licensure course as a one-week summer intensive. The innovative course format allows students, mental health professionals, and community members to complete coursework while maintaining full-time work and family commitments.

Project BEST was developed through a partnership between UNO's Grace Abbott School of Social Work and Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, which oversees and funds public mental health and substance use services for residents of Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties. The grant supporting Project BEST is specifically focused on increasing the number of licensed alcohol and drug counselors serving those five counties.

The program's first course, Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Addiction, was taught by Laura Sanchez, LICSW, LADC, founder of AM Counseling. Drawing on her experience as a dually licensed clinician, Sanchez complemented course content with real-world examples, role-play exercises, and collaborative learning activities designed to help participants apply concepts in practice.

The second course, Assessment and Case Management in Substance Use Disorders, was led by Corey Johnson, BSW, LADC, SAP, a UNO alumnus and founder of EvalsOmaha, LLC. Through his expertise conducting substance use evaluations and counseling services, Johnson emphasized the critical role comprehensive assessments play in effective treatment planning and long-term recovery outcomes.

The final course, Treatment Issues in Chemical Dependency, will take place July 20-24 and be taught by Kersten Borer, LIMHP, LADC, CMSW, a GASSW instructor and Project BEST coordinator with more than 25 years of experience in dual-diagnosis treatment and behavioral health care. Her extensive clinical background provides participants with practical insights into the complex intersection of mental health and substance use disorders while preparing them for work in an evolving behavioral health landscape.

In addition to coursework, Project BEST has established a network of more than 50 licensed alcohol and drug counselors who have committed to supervising participants as they complete practicum requirements needed for licensure.

🎤 What they're saying:

Kersten Borer, Grace Abbott School of Social Work instructor and Project BEST coordinator: "I am excited to be part of this effort to increase the number of PLADCs in Nebraska. There is a strong need for dually licensed clinicians due to current trends in addictive behaviors, and our program hopes to improve overall accessibility to quality care."

Project BEST participant: "As a student, having therapists be my peers in class was a new experience, and I was impressed with the level of conversation. I am very thankful for this experience, as I currently work full-time and only have been able to take one MSW class in person."

Project BEST participant: "I love my classmates and the different dynamics and perspectives that they bring. I am so grateful to have this opportunity."

🌎 The big picture: Project BEST exemplifies UNO's commitment to workforce development, community partnerships, and expanding educational opportunities that directly address community needs. Through its partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, UNO is helping strengthen the behavioral health workforce serving Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties while increasing access to substance use treatment across eastern Nebraska.

The program also removes barriers to participation by offering stipends for community participants, on-campus housing for learners traveling to Omaha, continuing education opportunities for practicing clinicians, and academic credit for students pursuing social work degrees.

⚡ What's next: Applications remain open for the final Project BEST course, Treatment Issues in Chemical Dependency, scheduled for July 20-24, 2026.

Students, behavioral health professionals, and community members interested in pursuing alcohol and drug counseling licensure are encouraged to apply at:

👉 https://unomaha.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qNuGaWP5Je0WrA

Approved applicants will receive course registration information following admission to the program.

As the inaugural Project BEST cohort moves from coursework into supervised practice experiences, the program is laying the foundation for long-term growth in Nebraska's addiction treatment workforce and creating more pathways to care for the communities that need it most.