National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

AMERSA is a multi-disciplinary organization of health care professionals dedicated to improving education in the care of individuals with substance abuse problems. One of AMERSA’s current projects is the development of an Interdisciplinary Faculty Development project, which will train and support mentors throughout the country. In turn, these mentors will provide education and support to health care professionals to identify substance abuse and its related problems in primary health care settings. The project, directed by Richard L. Brown, M.D. M.P.H., and funded primarily by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is also supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The project incorporates the Core Competencies for Involvement of Health Care Providers in the Care of Children and Adolescents in Families Affected by Substance Abuse developed by NACoA’s health care initiative’s expert working group, with leaders of primary health care organizations.