CLEARFIELD — Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones joined several Clearfield County substance use disorder (SUD) professionals who are recipients of DDAP’s student loan repayment grant program to highlight the program’s successes in SUD workforce retention efforts.

Friday’s event is part of the Shapiro Administration’s broader effort to support rural communities addressing SUD and the opioid epidemic.
DDAP Secretary Davis-Jones joined recipients of the agency’s loan repayment program who work as therapists and other SUD professionals at Clearfield County drug and alcohol treatment providers CenClear and Community Guidance Center.

“This program exemplifies the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to strengthening drug and alcohol treatment and systems of supports in Pennsylvania,” said Davis-Jones. “DDAP’s SUD student loan repayment program helps to incentivize and ensure talented, qualified SUD professionals stay in the communities where they are needed most.”

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 recipients at today’s event were awarded more than $300,000 in loan repayment grants.
“The student loan forgiveness has alleviated a great deal of financial stress and has provided me with the ability to be able to focus on work without the burden of my student loans,” said Cheri Casher, CenClear Acting SUD Director. “The ease of the financial burden has allowed me to focus on strengthening the support and treatment in the communities we serve.”
Wendy Fonner, CenClear Nursing Director, said, “The loan forgiveness program has provided me with the opportunity to grow as a provider and remain in my position to service the community in which I work.”
The student loan repayment program, which is partially funded from settlement money from McKinsey & Co., Inc., that Gov. Josh 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 through two rounds of loan repayment grants—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.
Loan Repayment Works
In 2024, over 80 percent of round one loan repayment recipients completed a DDAP survey as a follow up to the program.

• More than 80 percent said they are likely to stay in the field because of the financial support.
• Eight-five percent said the program boosted their job satisfaction.

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. If approved in the final budget, this 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.
Friday’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 Fayette, Washington, Greene, Chester, and Bucks counties.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts in combating the overdose crisis at ddap.pa.gov.