Williamsport, PA – Leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) made stops in Lycoming County today as part of the Shapiro Administration’s broader effort to support rural communities battling substance use disorder (SUD) and the opioid epidemic—centered on DDAP’s successful SUD student loan repayment program, which helps incentivize and ensure talented, qualified SUD professionals stay in the communities where they are needed most.
DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones joined recipients of the agency’s loan repayment program who work as SUD case managers at the county drug and alcohol office, known as the Single County Authority (SCA). The West Branch Drug & Alcohol Commission serves as the SCA for Lycoming and Clinton counties and is the local boots-on-the-ground for prevention services, treatment, recovery supports, and other local SUD-related programs.
“This program is one more example of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to strengthening drug and alcohol treatment and systems of supports in Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Davis-Jones. “Easing the burden of student debt is paramount to helping incentivize SUD professionals to remain in this field. Today’s visit shows this is exactly what’s happening in Lycoming County.”
Secretary Davis-Jones met with five recipients of the program’s funding to hear firsthand how these dollars will help them stay and thrive in a field they love. In total, the five recipients were awarded nearly $200,000 in loan repayment funding.
Amy Mahaffey, Case Manager: “The student loan forgiveness changed my life at a time I needed it the most. I was a single mom going through a divorce while sustaining living on my own with my children. I will forever be grateful and never forget the day I read ‘100% of loans forgiven’.”
Riean Minnich, Case Manager: “Because of the student loan forgiveness I was able to buy a house and become a more permanent member of the nonprofit agency we are trying to help and grow.”
Casey Strus, Forensic Case Manager: “Loan forgiveness has relieved financial stress in my life and has, in turn, given me more opportunities to use those funds on my family and things such as childcare.”
Barb Vanaskie, Special Projects Manager: “This funding has afforded me and several others that have received it the ability to stay in the field by decreasing the financial burden of student loan debt. Allowing us to focus on what we came to the SCA to do—serve our communities by helping those struggling with SUD.”
Katie Hugo, Recovery Supports Supervisor: “As an individual in recovery rebuilding my life in all aspects has been a very difficult process. Recovery has shown me that my life has a purpose and that is working in the field alongside my peers. This financial burden has weighed me down for a long time. I am thankful for this financial freedom!”
The student loan repayment program, which is partially funded from opioid settlement money Governor Shapiro helped to secure during his time as Attorney General, is aimed towards helping SUD treatment, case management, and other professionals in the field with repaying their outstanding qualifying educational loans. Since its inception, the program has assisted more than 650 practitioners within the SUD workforce—eliminating student debt for many recipients. The program prioritizes SUD professionals who work in rural areas of the Commonwealth that are experiencing SUD workforce shortages as well as those who provide SUD services in counties with underserved populations.
Addressing Rural Workforce and Treatment Gaps
Governor Shapiro's proposed 2025-26 budget includes an additional $10 million to expand loan repayment programs, reinforcing Pennsylvania's commitment to growing and sustaining a strong behavioral health workforce. The program for health care workers would be similar to DDAP’s successful SUD loan repayment program.
Pennsylvania is projected to face a shortage of more than 6,300 behavioral health professionals by 2026, with rural regions facing the brunt of this challenge. The Shapiro Administration has implemented several initiatives to address this, including:
- Establishing telehealth licenses to expand treatment accessibility statewide;
- Licensing Pennsylvania's first mobile opioid treatment program to pave the way for increased access to medication-assisted treatment; and
- Launching a workforce development pilot program with Carlow and Waynesburg universities to accelerate the training of new substance use treatment professionals.
Ongoing Community Engagement
Area leaders in SUD programs and services as well as individuals with lived experience joined Secretary Davis-Jones at stops throughout the day to highlight additional local treatment and recovery programs.
“As the SCA for Lycoming and Clinton counties, we are thrilled to welcome Secretary Davis-Jones on her inaugural visit to highlight the work we are doing on behalf of the people we serve,” said Shea Madden, West Branch Drug & Alcohol Abuse Commission Executive Director. “The loan repayment program alone is one example of a beneficial program locally because it has enabled staff to remain in their positions and the SUD field.”
Today’s visit is a continuation of stops planned for "DDAP on the Move: Your Voice, Your Community," the next phase of an ongoing statewide engagement tour and commitment by the Department to hear firsthand from those providing and receiving SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, particularly in rural areas.
Future visits will cover Delaware County as well as Clearfield, Greene, and Bucks counties.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration's efforts in combating the overdose crisis at ddap.pa.gov.
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