The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) has awarded The UT Austin School of Social Work a five-year, $3.9 million competitive renewal for the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC). Under this renewal, UT Austin is designated as the technology transfer center responsible for the five-state HHS Region 6, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The purpose of ATTC Region 6 is to enhance competencies of substance use disorder counselors for delivery of evidence-based, culturally relevant addiction treatment services and thereby to promote recovery and improve the lives of individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug abuse. The target populations served through this ATTC are students preparing for an addictions counseling career, and practicing counselors in front-line substance use disorder treatment programs. The ATTC has a special focus on students from African American, Mexican American and American Indian cultural groups. In addition, priority emphases include recovery support,cultural competence, and organizational strategies for quality improvement and implementation of science-based services.
In carrying out these activities, the ATTC has enlisted the collaboration of eight universities throughout the region, and three other national resource centers to provide expertise in culturally appropriate delivery of technology assisted care.