April 28, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HealthRIGHT 360 Invests $15,000 to Support Behavioral Health Training Course at City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA — HealthRIGHT 360 today announced a $15,000 investment in City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to support HLTH 99: Group Counseling for Treatment and Recovery, a required course in CCSF's Addiction and Recovery Counseling Certificate Program. The course, which is offered on a limited basis due to funding constraints, is a prerequisite for students seeking certification as Addiction and Recovery Counselors.
Without consistent access to this course, students can face delays in completing their training and advancing in the program. This investment will expand access by supporting an additional course offering, allowing more students to stay on track toward certification. Funding will cover textbooks, mentoring, school supplies, and instruction for 40 students beginning this fall.
The investment reflects a deep, long-standing partnership between the two institutions. HealthRIGHT 360 is one of the largest employers of Substance Use Disorder Counselors in San Francisco, and many of its clinical staff entered the field through CCSF's Addiction and Recovery Counseling Certificate Program. The organization regularly hosts CCSF students as clinical interns and currently employs dozens of registered counselors who are actively enrolled in the program.
“Our workforce and City College's program are connected at every level. Our counselors came through these classrooms, our interns are there now, and our newest hires will come from there next," said Vitka Eisen, President and CEO of HealthRIGHT 360. “When a course this critical isn’t consistently available, we see people whose path into this field is delayed in a workforce that can't afford to lose a single one of them.”
“This course is a cornerstone for students entering the behavioral health field,” said Almal Avila, Program Coordinator of the Addiction and Recovery Counseling Certificate Program at CCSF. “Without it, many students would face challenges in completing this program, thus delaying their ability to enter the SUD and Behavioral Health workforce. Support from HealthRIGHT 360 ensures that these future SUD counselors have the opportunity to gain the skills and credentials they need to serve their communities.”
Through this partnership, HealthRIGHT 360 and CCSF are working together to expand opportunity, support students, and reinforce the importance of accessible, career-focused education at a time when funding for such programs is increasingly limited, while also investing directly in the health and economic stability of San Francisco communities.
About City College of San Francisco
Bringing instruction opportunities since 1935, City College of San Francisco is an urban community college serving tens-of-thousands of students annually at six locations throughout San Francisco. The College offers an affordable opportunity to earn associate degrees, prepare for transfer, pursue career and technical education, and personal development and enrichment. Visit: www.ccsf.edu.
About HealthRIGHT 360
HealthRIGHT 360 is a non-profit provider of substance use disorder treatment, mental health services, primary care, and social support upon reentry to over 44,000 Californians annually. HealthRIGHT 360 provides care that is compassionate, non-judgmental, and evidence-based. We provide services, regardless of one's ability to pay, inspired by our belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Learn more about HealthRIGHT 360 and our programs at https://www.healthright360.org/.
Media Contact for City College of San Francisco:
Alexandra Céspedes Kent
[email protected] | (510) 413-8445
Media Contact for HealthRIGHT 360:
Wesley Saver
[email protected] | (415) 728-1056