STLCC Receives Grant for Training toward Fight against Opioid Epidemic

STLCC receives grant to support fight against opioids.

St. Louis Community College received $514,170 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration to support the fight against opioids.

The funds are part of nearly $70 million awarded nationally by HHS for Opioid Workforce Expansion Programs (OWEP) grants.

STLCC will apply OWEP grant funds to students enrolled in one of two programs – associate of applied science in behavioral health support or addictions study certification.

Through May 2022 – over three years – STLCC expects to use the funds to prepare 120 paraprofessionals for careers in state, county and local human services agencies such as substance-use disorder facilities, community mental health centers, hospitals and schools.

Individuals who qualify for the OWEP grant will receive up to $3,000 toward costs of tuition, textbooks, academic support (tutors and writing), bus pass, monthly seminars or workshops and peer mentoring support. The grant funds will not cover the cost of remedial coursework. With the grant, the educational costs for students is reduced.

Potential students must meet OWEP grant requirements:

Must be enrolled full- or part-time
Eligible to work in the United States
Be a citizen of the U.S. or a foreign national having in their possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States
Pass a drug test
Pass a background check

Students who are new to St. Louis Community College or those who are not currently enrolled at STLCC must:

Apply for admission.
Take a placement test (OWEP grant will not cover tuition for remedial courses).
Have their transcripts evaluated, meet with an advisor and register for courses.

“Addiction and behavioral health providers work hand-in-hand to create better client outcomes and experiences,” said Angela Roffle, associate professor of human services. “At STLCC, we understand the critical need for trained professionals in these areas, and we are committed to doing our part to improve integrated health care in our region.”

Addictions study certification includes 27 credit hours. There are flexible options for completing coursework in 8-weeks, 12-weeks, 16-weeks or online.

Behavioral health support involves 61 credit hours. Students admitted to the program with the OWEP grant will start in fall 2020. The grant will cover part of the costs.

For students interested in behavioral health support, contact Jenna Mueller, MA, LPC, NCC, at jmueller258@stlcc.edu or 636-422-2018.

For students interested in addiction studies, contact Angela Roffle, associate professor of human services, districtwide coordinator, at aroffle1@stlcc.edu or 314-644-9289.

Disclaimer: This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $514,170, with a small percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.