Mental Health Parity Field Hearings Video Has Been Released!

The video for the Congressional Mental Health Parity Field Hearings that was taped in Los Angeles this last fall has been released.

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2012 CAADAC/CCBADC Elections

Every fall, members with voting privileges have the opportunity to vote for regional candidates for both CCBADC (Certification Board) and CAADAC; in addition, you have the opportunity to vote for the CAADAC Executive Committee position of Treasurer.

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CAADAC/CCBADC TO GO GREEN BY EMAILING RENEWAL NOTICES, HARDCOPY INVOICING TO END IN NOVEMBER 2012 FOR ALL DECEMBER 2012 RENEWALS

Attention CAADAC/CCBADC Members, Certificants and Registrants!

This is a notice to let you know that we are working to further our efforts as an organization to reduce our carbon footprint and to “go green,” so to speak; in this age of great advancements in technology and the ever increasing ability to do things online that once took time, postage, and paper, CAADAC proudly introduced its new website in April of this year. We are happy to report that while it is still being improved daily, ample amounts of progress have been made since its launch date, including providing our counselors with the ability to apply for and renew membership, certification and registry online, completely paper and postage free – saving you time and money!

Similarly, we have recently begun sending out renewal invoicing via email; these emails are being sent out to all members, certificants and registrants 60 days before their renewal date, a second reminder 30 days prior to renewal, and then a follow-up reminder three (3) months post expiration date. Over the next few months we will continue to send out hardcopy paper invoices via mail in addition to these renewal notice emails in order to allow some time for transition from one system to the other, but after November of 2012 these hardcopy invoices will no longer be mailed, and we want you to be aware that these changes are taking place; please note that the last round of hardcopy invoices that go out in November will be for December 2012 renewals. Yes, change can be scary but in taking this step, our long term goal is to drastically reduce the time and money spent on supplies and postage by ultimately eliminating these monthly hardcopy invoice mass mailings currently being sent out, as well as to increase the efficiency and ease of the renewal process for you, our counselors.

That said, please be aware of this upcoming transition – if the office does not have a current email address on file for you, please contact us at (916) 368-9412 or via email at with this information so that we may update your file accordingly and ensure that these renewal emails are sent to your correct email address. If you do not currently have an email address and/or do not own a computer, don’t worry – setting up an email account is easy and free and there are always places you can go to log on to a computer with internet access (libraries, etc.) We do realize this may be a difficult transition and thus our office staff is here to assist and support you in any way we can!

Thank you for doing your part to protect our planet!

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CAADAC Launches New Web Site

Interactive features create on-line registration and certification.

The California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) unveiled its state-of-the-art web site this month which offers many new, interactive services for the thousands of counselors and colleagues who do business with the association. “It’s not just a new web site,” said CAADAC Executive Director, Rhonda Messamore. “It’s a totally new way of doing business for our association.”

The new site allows users to apply for registration, certification and membership in a fully automated, on-line format. The site allows individuals to create their own personal account which tracks the professional and personal needs of each counselor. Students can upload their educational verification, sign up for examinations and document their internship experiences. Certified professionals can apply for upgrades to their certification status, document continuing education and pay for certification and membership fees.

CAADAC colleagues and employers will also benefit from the features on the new site. Supervisors can sign in and approve intern’s work experience; employers can check certification and registration status of their current and potential employees and persons seeking help for addiction problems can search a data base of qualified professionals indexed by their zip code.

In addition to all of the business and administrative improvements made by CAADAC’s automation project, CAADAC members will also enjoy several new features available to them. All members are given a “Professional Profile Page” which can be personalized, similar to social networking sites. A picture, professional credentials and bios, as well as business information such as phone and e-mail contacts, can be added to one’s page so that clients and colleagues can reach the counselor. A “members only” blog is also available for threaded discussions on topics of clinical, business and legislative importance. CAADAC’s on-line job posting service has also been updated and automated. Employers can now submit help wanted advertisements on-line and counselors can view them based on area (zip code sort).

“There are so many unbelievable advancements to the site, they are hard to list all in one place,” said Messamore. “I encourage all members and colleagues to spend a few moments taking a tour of our new site and our new way of doing business.”

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UPDATE: CAADAC Puts Licensure Bill on Hold

With several major questions yet unanswered about how and where California’s new licensure program would occur, CAADAC requested that AB 2007 be pulled from committee for further amending today. “We felt we needed to go forward with the best possible product,” said Executive Director Rhonda Messamore. “There are still several key elements that are in a state of flux right now and we thought it best to deal with them early rather than attract the typical opposition that occurs from entities which already have a license and providers that are opposed to doing anything for the profession lest they have to raise wages.”

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Affordable Care Act Update

Dear Friends,

As you have heard from us on many occasions, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is still in the midst of evolving and growing. News continues to trickle out of Washington, and these pieces of the puzzle help the big picture take shape. Late last week, the final rule regarding exchanges was issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Case Presentation Method - Oral Exam - Update from CCBADC

The CCBADC has been undergoing enormous deliberation and has put forth many, many hours of thought and research with regard to the continuance of the Case Presentation Method (CPM) oral examination. In 2008, the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) introduced case vignette based test questions within the Alcohol and Drug Counselor written examination; this new format serves as the basis for replacing the oral examination in its entirety. However, during that time, the CCBADC was determined to continue the use of the oral examination until sufficient data from the examination was collected for a period of two years.

The two years of data has been collected and provided to CCBADC by IC&RC’s contracted testing corporation Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT.) After lengthy review of the data, the CCBADC has found crucial empirical evidence to support this new format for examining the competency levels of an alcohol/drug counselor. The examination includes the highest measurements of competency and applicability through the clinical vignette testing. Furthermore, this format was also specifically designed to evaluate the candidate’s ability to apply the knowledge, skills and abilities of the 12 core functions. Additionally, our board determined that other like licensing/certification organizations use case vignettes extensively on a local, state and national level, such as the Board of Behavioral Sciences and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) examination.

Therefore, in consideration and on behalf of our registrants, certificants and profession, the CCBADC has unanimously resolved to eliminate the Oral Examination effective June 30, 2011.

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CCBADC TO OFFER LICENSED ADVANCED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR: "LAADC"

The California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (*CCBADC) has resolved to tackle the integration of the federal Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the continued public protection issue that remains in California due to the lack of current state issued licensure.

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CCBADC Offers ON-DEMAND Written Examinations (Computer Based!)

Effective Jan 1, 2011: All written examinations are completed via computer based testing (CBT.) The paper/pencil examination is no longer offered by CCBADC. Additionally, CBT exam is scheduled ON-DEMAND!

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CAPWIZ AND CAADAC!

CAADAC's newest membership benefit - Capwiz XC! This legislative alert system will enable CAADAC's Legislative Committee to communicate directly with members, constituents, local, state and federal representatives. Capwiz uses the most advanced online tools and technology to assure that your voice is heard when it matters most! In addition, through the CAADAC Capwiz site you have the ability to communicate with the CAADAC Legislative Committee, your local, state and federal representatives. It is easy to navigate and gives you the ability to get involved with CAADAC’s grassroots efforts!

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