The original 2009-2010 Budget allocated $108 million in Proposition 36 programs: $90 million for Proposition 36 specifically, and $18 million for the Offender Treatment Program (OTP). The $90 million in funding for Proposition 36 has been eliminated for the 2009-2010 Budget Year. The $18 million in funding for the OTP continues in the 2009-2010 Budget Year. Additionally, a one-time increase in federal Byrne JAG grants will provide a $50 million augmentation in funding for OTP in the 2009-2010 Budget Year. In total, the funding was reduced by $40 million (from $108 million to $68 million) and was identified to be solely for the OTP to allow the Legislature more control over the policy of the program.

While full details are still emerging, here are the details that we have obtained thus far:

• Corrections: ($1.2 billion)* See below for more detail
• Healthy Families: ($226 million)
• Medi-Cal: ($1.3 billion over two years)
• Cal-Works: ($528 million)
  IHSS: ($211 million) - through new background checks and fingerprinting requirements for IHSS providers and recipients; no cuts to provider salaries

Dear CAADAC and Constituents,

Regards,

SB 707 was heard by the Appropriations Committee on May 11, 2009. The committee placed the bill into the suspense file.  This means the bill will be reviewed for the fiscal impact while in suspense.  The suspense process can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks.  The committee will review the impact and determine whether or not to move the bill to the next committee. (There will not be any testimony during the determination process.)  I will keep you updated throughout the legislative process.
 

--Rhonda Messamore, Executive Director

On to Appropriations Committee!
 
SB 707 was heard at the state capitol today at approximately 4:45pm. After listening to testimony from those in favor and those opposed; the committee voted  in favor of moving the bill to the next step in the process.  (7 aye votes against 2 nay votes.)
 

PLEASE JOIN US ON APRIL 29, 2009 or CALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOW! 

The hearing for SB 707, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification and Licensing Law is set for April 29, 2009 with the Senate Health Committee.

Obama Puts Drug War Focus on Demand Reduction
April 24, 2009

Recent comments by President Barack Obama and drug-czar nominee Gil Kerlikowske indicate that the War on Drugs could see a significant shift in focus from supply reduction to reducing demand by investing in more prevention and treatment, CNN reported April 18.

Dear CAADAC Members and Colleagues:

Thank you for the hard work you put forth daily to serve those suffering with substance abuse disorders. I appreciate your professionalism, work ethic and mostly your integrity in upholding the highest standards of certification in California.

Many of you may be receiving confusing messages about Senate Bill 707 (DeSaulnier’s counselor licensing and certification bill). The challenges we faced in dealing with negative scrutiny was apparent in regard to our (similar) bill last year. These messages seem to be an attempt to derail the Department of Alcohol and Drug Program’s efforts to pass legislation to create higher standards for our profession. Please avoid being pressured, swayed or fearful by misinformation and scare tactics.

Greetings fellow CAADAC members!  I am very pleased to announce that the final analysis of the Quality Assurance online survey is complete.  Due to the length of the report, please download the document by clicking here.

The HPSO (CAADAC members' liability insurance carrier) Risk Advisor is published as an added benefit for the insurance customers of Healthcare Providers Service Organization. The Risk Advisor shares articles of interest, answers to frequently asked questions and actual case studies. Our panel of experts in healthcare, insurance, and law comment on how you can minimize your professional liability risks.

Go to: http://www.hpso.com/newsletters/

Letter sent to ADP Director Zito:

On behalf of the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and the clients we treat, I would like to convey our strongest support of your department’s efforts to raise standards for our profession and safeguard persons in treatment. Our Legislative Committee spent considerable time analyzing the proposal and comparing it to numerous other state laws. Overall, we view the proposal as positive and as having consumer protection at its core.

As you have heard, the state is facing a budget crisis.  The current situation may affect your ability to contact the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) and the timeliness of payments for services.

The CAADAC/CCBADC Boards and staff send our gratitude to those who served CAADAC/CCBADC in the last term!  Your tireless efforts, dedication, loyalty and support are appreciated beyond words!  We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the newly elected Board Members and Officers!  Congratulations to those who ran this year, just being nominated is a testament to your dedication to the betterment of CAADAC.  We encourage you to run again next year.  Below you will find the certified results of the election.

If you were able to attend the annual conference this year you may have already heard the good news.

AB 239, sadly, was vetoed.

You can see the veto message by clicking on the following Link: http://www.gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/AB239_DeSaulnier_Veto_Message.pdf

If that does not work, visit the following link, scroll down to AB 239, and then click on the veto message: www.gov.ca.gov/press-release/10662/

As much as we were all expecting this, the finality of it is difficult to take for all of us. However, as disappointed as we all are, rest assured that we did everything possible to get this bill passed.

AB 239 is on the Governors desk.  Send your letter of support as soon as possible.  Click Here to do it now!

Dear Fellow CAADAC Members:

Due to a very unfortunate set of circumstances, the CAADAC Board voted on Thursday to stop collecting and sending NAADAC dues effective July 1, 2008.

In the midst of our failing contract negotiations, we heard rumors that NAADAC had planned on conducting a "town hall" meeting with our members and had not informed CAADAC's leadership. When I saw NAADAC's Executive Director and President at the NAATP conference in Palm Springs two days prior to when the town hall meeting was to be conducted, I confronted them about it. They blamed the NAADAC office and stated notification should have gone out by then. Not more than a couple of hours later, I received notification via an e-blast, which went out to our entire membership. (On a side note, not a single member of CAADAC showed for the meeting except the host, and NAADAC never showed either stating they got lost.)

If you live in the district of a Senator assigned to the Health Committee we need you to call to express that they support AB 239. Major cities are listed below each committee member.  Please call today!

Greetings CAADAC Members,

I am proud to announce that we have new life regarding the possibility of licensure legislation being passed this year!  Through the masterful work of our lobbyist, Willie Guerrero, we have a new vehicle for our licensure.

AB 239 will be heard in the Senate Business and Professions Committee on May 12th, 2008. Therefore, time is of the essence!  As a result of the new bill number, we are in need of new  letters of support . Please send your personalized letters through Capwiz today by clicking on the link below.   It takes only a few minutes and is really easy.

The Appropriations Committee hearing for AB 1367, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Licensing Law is set for January 24, 2007 at 8:30am. The CAADAC Legislative Committee will represent CAADAC at the meeting.  You are also welcome to attend!  State Capital Building, Sacramento, CA Room 4202.

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2007, Martinez, California.

Join us on October 30, 2007 in Monterey Park, California when the Assembly Business and Professions Committee will convene to explore all issues concerning licensure of addiction counselors and take testimony from experts and stakeholders relative to our licensure proposal, Assembly Bill  1367 authored by Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier. 

CAADAC MEMBERS… IT’S TIME TO SUIT UP AND SHOW UP!

Let’s provide a spirited debate and huge attendance at this hearing!

When:            October 30, 2007   

Time:             9:00 am – 3:00 pm   

Where:          Monterey Park City Council Chambers

                       320 W. Newmark Avenue   

                       Monterey Park, CA.

Nearby Hotels:       

Lincoln Plazal .4 miles from the hearing location.

123 South Lincoln Avenue

Monterey Park, CA 91755

1(800) 557-8999

Nearest major airport:

Los Angeles, CA (LAX-Los Angeles Intl.)

*Average Room $85.00 per night

Comfort Inn:  2 Miles from the hearing location

588 S Atlantic Blvd

Monterey Park, CA 91754

626-308-9600

Nearest major airport:

Los Angeles, CA (LAX-Los Angeles Intl.)

*Average Room $80.00 per night