Houston Community College System (HCCS) has developed a seven course program of study for students wanting to become substance abuse counselors. An associate degree is also available for those who do not currently possess a degree. Over the past five years, Houston Community College System has trained over 700 students per year. Several of the substance abuse courses have been developed into distance education classes available on-line, including the Pharmacology course and a Counseling Theories class.

Houston ATTC has gone out into the community and presented over 150 workshops and lectures on dual disorders, cultural walk, review courses for both the written and oral exam for licensure, HIV, and Hepatitis updates. HCCS offers an extensive continuing education program in family counseling and topics of interest to the substance abuse community.

In 2004 in conjunction with the GCATTC, HCCS sponsored the Annual Conference for the National Organization for Human Service Workers held in Houston. The department chair, Richard Rosing, also served as the Western region president for this organization. The Associates Degree at HCCS is approved by the Council for Standards in Human Services and an HCC faculty has served on that committee for 20 years. HCCS played an important role in developing the Workforce Manual of courses in Texas (WECM) and has incorporated changes accordingly so transfers can be made easier. Link for program details