CAADAC Makes Licensure Number One Goal for '06

CAADAC Makes Licensure Number One Goal for '06

Excerpt from FREEDOM January-February 2006

Now that the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) has completed its regulatory cycle by putting into place its new regulations for counselor certification, it is time for the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors to complete the mission of providing adequate consumer protection for all addicts seeking assistance in California. “We need licensure now!” said CAADAC President Warren Daniels. “Only one-half of the equation has been addressed through regulation—private practice was left untouched and those clients are left out in the cold where consumer protection and avenues for addressing abuse are concerned.”

CAADAC has entered into new negotiations with both the DADP and the Department of Consumer Affairs to determine how best to create a license for the counselor working independently. “We are getting the green light from both that now is the time to come to the table,” said Daniels. “This may be our greatest opportunity yet.”

CAADAC representatives are seeking an author for a licensure bill and have recently been informed that the association’s licensure proposal has made it to the “short list” of one prominent Assemblyman’s legislation choices. “I hope he carries the bill—he’s known for being close to the governor,” said Daniels of the yet to be named author.

Although licensure legislation will be the group’s main focus, there are still many issues involving the recently enacted certification regulation that will demand its attention. “It’s important to remember that CAADAC hasn't given up on the regulatory process,” said Daniels. “There are still many, many battles to be fought for our clients. CAADAC is not happy with the outcome of the regulations and will continue to ask for future changes that will allow them to better serve consumers.” Daniels said that the number one concern from all certifying organizations has to be that only 30% of the work force has to maintain certification. “This leaves 70% delivering professional services without even as much as the bare minimum requirements to treat a life threatening illness.”

CAADAC also strongly asserts that the creation of licensure will help the profession to gravitate toward higher standards. Although CAADAC’s new legislation exempts those working in licensed and certified facilities from a requirement to obtain a license, the existence of the license will become a natural trend as employers and consumers come to rely upon it. “Even in facilities you will find personnel decision makers working the licensed professional into their matrix of care,” predicts Daniels.

Because the licensure bill is being introduced in the second year of the Legislature’s two-year term, it will face some tight deadlines for passage. “CAADAC members and our colleagues will have to work harder than we ever have in building coalitions, keeping people in the profession informed and showing up for rallys and letter writing campaigns,” said Daniels. “This is do or die for this profession, and we have to pull together and get it done.”

CAADAC will notify all members through the Freedom Newsletter, fax and e-mail alerts and, most importantly on the website at http://www.caadac.org, about how you can participate in this exciting campaign to make licensure a reality in ‘06. “Every voice counts this time,” said Daniels, “I must have your support and initiative to engage when needed for this campaign to be successful!”