April 02, 2026
Denver Health’s Community Addiction Rehabilitation and Evaluation Services (CARES) will be able to host an intern this summer, educating the next generation of substance use care professional, thanks to the generous grant from the NDASA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association.
The summer internship supported by the grant aligns closely with the NDASA Foundation’s mission to promote drugfree workplaces through excellence in drug testing. The program introduces students to substance use treatment as a career path while providing hands on exposure to best practices in testing for alcohol and other substances within Denver’s busiest withdrawal management program.
The NDASA Foundation is dedicated to advancing education, prevention and recovery in the fight against substance misuse, with a mission to advocate for and educate toward drugfree communities. The grant will support a summer internship at Denver CARES, a critical season when alcohol and substance use can increase.
Denver CARES provides short-term and residential treatment for individuals with substance use disorders and has served Denver for nearly five decades. As the city’s primary withdrawal management provider, Denver CARES offers safe and humane care while helping individuals access next steps in treatment and recovery.
The intern will gain a comprehensive understanding of the systems involved in substance use care, including clinical treatment, legal and regulatory frameworks as well as interactions with third-party payers. The experience also highlights Denver CARES’ role as a critical entry point to drugfree workplaces by providing withdrawal management services followed by referrals to transitional residential treatment and other levels of care.
By supporting workforce development and education, the NDASA Foundation’s investment strengthens Denver CARES’ ability to serve the community while fostering the next generation of professionals dedicated to prevention, treatment and recovery.
The grant from NDASA was made possible through the Denver Health Foundation, which secures and stewards philanthropic investments to advance Denver Health’s patient care, education and community programs.
