CAADAC - President's Corner

Sept/Oct, 2008 - President's Report
Posted By Rhonda Messamore (rmessamore) On Dec 16 2008
President's Corner >>

Greetings All,

What an exciting time to be working in our profession in California! We have a licensure bill on the Governor’s desk. This has happened only one other time in CAADAC’s history with an occupational study bill that was eventually vetoed by Governor Davis, whose veto message directed the ADP to promulgate the certification regulations which we now operate under. This is quite a development given that our bill was held in Assembly Appropriations committee just this last spring! Shortly afterward, we were given new life when that same committee indicated that they felt they should have passed it through, informing us that if we could find a new vehicle on the Senate side and get it through that house, they would then put it through their committee upon its return. Well, we did just that and it has now made it all the way to the Governor’s desk! We are currently in the middle of a drive for letters to the Governor encouraging him to pass the bill – we have already sent you several e-blasts providing a link to write and send your own letter; simply hit the "take action" link and you will be routed to a text-box with a pre-written letter that you can edit to your liking and send at the simple push of a button. Also, we ask that you please forward this link to your friends and colleagues, as every letter counts! We are almost there in our quest for licensure, and it is very important that the Governor receives as many letters as possible to increase the chances that he will sign it. I realize we have asked you to participate in our letter writing campaigns in the past, and I’ve been very encouraged by the response. This is absolutely the most important letter you will write for your profession, so please do it now; it only takes a few minutes. The Governor has until September 30th to either sign or veto the bill, so time is of the essence!

It is also a great time to be a CAADAC counselor as we have our annual conference coming up next month. Part of this conference will be a “Student Celebration Day” where hundreds of potential CAADAC certificants will have a free day on Friday, October 3, at which three workshops will be available, highlighted by CCBADC chair Jerry Synold, who will educate attendees on the certification process. CCBADC will also be hosting a “Certification Help-desk” where students will be able to find out where they stand in the certification process and what their next steps in the process should be. This will be accomplished with the assistance of a new and improved website that will be very simple to navigate so current and future members and certificants will easily be able to find what they are looking for even with limited computer skills. This new website will also aid in implementing an aggressive membership drive which the CAADAC Board expects will dramatically increase membership over a short period of time.

I am happy to report that membership is up despite the end of formal affiliation status with NAADAC. You may have also heard that CAADAC has filled the void left by separating from NAADAC by retaining the services of Slingshot Solutions, so CAADAC can continue to participate in federal lobbying efforts. Heading this agency is NAADAC’s past lobbyist and Washington, D.C. resident, Andrew Kessler. You will have an opportunity to hear Andrew address our membership in person for the first time at our conference this October.

In other big news, CAADAC is currently conducting a national search for an Executive Director. We will interview those who qualify for the position beginning next month and we hope to have the position filled by the end of the year or sooner, should we find someone local who does not require relocation. In the meantime, the staff at the office has been holding down the fort quite well and they deserve our gratitude; if you plan on attending the conference or are to speak with any of them on the phone, please let them know they are appreciated – they are doing an outstanding job!

As you are probably aware, September is Recovery Month, and as such there are many recovery month events happening around the country. A number of these events are being hosted by CAADAC at the regional level, of which you may have already heard about as well. You can find out about many of these regional events in this edition of the Freedom; if you have the opportunity, please attend these events. We want to get the message out that not only is recovery available, but also that it works!

On that note, I will end by thanking you for everything you do to make a difference in the lives of addicts and alcoholics. Thank you also for the importance you place on being an ethical practitioner. I take great pride in identifying myself as a CAADAC counselor, as I don’t believe there is another credential which the public can turn to and be so assured that the counselor they are entrusting with their care will do the right thing. It is an honor to serve alongside you all!

Don’t forget to send your letter to Governor Schwarzenegger, and I hope to see you at the conference in a few weeks!

Bob

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Sept/Oct, 2008 - President's Report