New York Expands DWI Screening Provider List

Submitted by tomrue on

The NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) recently announced changes in the licensed professionals who can provide clinical screenings and assessments to courts. According to a letter from OASAS associate commissioner Charles Monson, sent to current Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselors in New York, such screenings may be conducted by CASACs who are also licensed mental health counselors, social workers, physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

Monson says OASAS will provide a list of participating providers to the NYS Office of Court Administration by September 24th.

NEW YORK STATE
Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, New York 12203-3526

August 24, 2007

Dear CASAC:

In accord with recent changes in the State's Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) law, the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has been charged with the responsibility of compiling and maintaining an authorized listing of agencies/professionals who are determined to be qualified to provide screening and assessment of alcohol and substance abuse dependency for individuals charged with or convicted of a DWI offense. This listing, which was previously maintained by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, will identify the names and locations of all certified chemical dependence providers and individual alcohol and substance abuse professionals who meet the criteria established by OASAS.

The listing, which currently consists of OASAS certified providers, will be expanded to include individual alcohol and substance abuse professionals on a "phased-in" basis. The next phase will comprise those individuals who:

  • hold a current CASAC certificate and a current license issued by the NYS Education Department (in one or more of the professions identified below);
  • are in good standing with both OASAS and the State Education Department;
  • are capable and available to provide DWI screening and assessment services; and
  • furnish a signed and fully completed DWI Screening and Assessment Provider Listing Request Form.

Eligible Licensed Professions include:

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Master Social Worker
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Physician
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist

If you believe that you meet the above criteria and wish to be considered for inclusion on OASAS' DWI Screening and Assessment Provider Listing, please complete the enclosed Form and return it, along with a photocopy of your current NYS Education Department license, to:

NYS OASAS
Attn: Credentialing Unit
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, New York 12203

Similar to the listing that was previously maintained by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, the DWI Screening and Assessment Provider Listing will be revised and updated on an ongoing basis. To ensure that OASAS can provide a viable list of participating providers to the NYS Office of Court Administration by September 24, 2007, interested alcohol and substance abuse professionals should submit the enclosed form by no later than September 17, 2007. Submissions that are received after this date will still be accepted and considered for possible inclusion on the list at a later date. All applicants who submit a form will receive subsequent written notification of OASAS' determination on your request.

Please note that this solicitation is not, under any circumstances, a requirement associated with your CASAC. Rather, this is an opportunity to indicate your interest, qualifications and possible participation in the provision of DWI screening and assessment services in New York State. Thank you for your time and attention to this notice. Should you have any questions, please contact OASAS' Credentialing Unit at 1-800-482-9564.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Monson, CASAC
Associate Commissioner
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement

Enclosure
cc w/o enc.: Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo