March/April 2008 President's Report |
| Posted by Registry Adm (registryadm) on Mar 20 2008 |
Hello All,
In the aftermath of a licensure run which fell victim to the dismal financial situation in a state expecting a 20 billion dollar deficit in 2008, I sit back and reflect on what made AB 1367 so much different from previous licensure efforts. I believe it was a combination of our willingness to include a degree for the first time in our history, our listening to what other licensed professionals were recommending regarding our licensure bill, our targeting a completely unregulated segment of the treatment population (private practice), and last but not least, our hiring of Kahn, Soares, and Conway, an outstanding law firm that has brought CAADAC to a whole new level of recognition among legislators. I believe it also had to do with a very dedicated and skillful Legislative Committee made up of, Warren Daniels (Chair), Willie Guerrero (Lobbyist), Sherry Daley (Public Policy Coordinator), Rhonda Messamore’ (Executive Director), and Yours Truly.
Although the bill failed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the buzz around the Capitol is that many legislators wanted to see our bill pass and were very impressed that, policy-wise, we were able negotiate the bill in a way that resulted in all of the major and influential opposition either going neutral or supporting it. It is clear to all of us that licensure for chemical dependence counselors, and the resulting label of “professional” rather than “paraprofessional,” is not a matter of if it will happen, it is just a matter of when. Your legislative committee is exploring options of where to go from here, and we will keep you posted on any new developments.
On another legislative note, the House of Representatives passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, HR-1424, in a 268-148 on March 5. This first-ever House vote on a comprehensive mental health/addiction parity bill was truly an historic event. The Senate had previously passed their version of a parity bill, S-558. The House and Senate will now have to reconcile the two bills and come to terms on an agreed upon compromise to present to President Bush for his signature. The vast majority of our profession is in favor of the House version. If passed, addicts and alcoholics will no longer be discriminated against by insurance companies and will have the same rights as those who suffer from other diseases. For more information on Parity legislation, you can go to http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR01424:@@@L&summ2=m&
By the time you receive this newsletter, I will have returned from Washington, DC, after attending NAADAC’s Advocacy Day. This is an opportunity for NAADAC’s members and supporters to go to the Nation’s Capitol to speak with lawmakers about legislation which is important to our profession. It is during this annual event that NAADAC’s light shines the brightest – we are truly represented well at this amazing event.
Regarding our current affiliation contract with NAADAC, I have signed and sent the contract we had our attorney construct last year with language that protects CAADAC. We are awaiting the return of the contract with NAADAC’s signature as last year’s contract expired at the end of February.
As you are probably aware by now, our Executive Director Rhonda Messamore’ has submitted her resignation in order to tend to her family’s needs. This news was hard to take for most of us as Rhonda’s work has contributed significantly to the elevated status CAADAC has received over the past couple of years. However, as her friend and colleague, I am in full support of her decision to place her family’s needs above all others.
When we hired Rhonda, we felt very confident she would do a good job for us, but I don’t think any of us expected her to be able to positively change about every aspect of our organization. As I mentioned in the email blast where her resignation was announced, she has streamlined our processes, cut costs, increased member benefits, developed professional and legislative affiliations, and has brought CAADAC to the most professional and respectable point in its history. Rhonda, you have been a blessing to all of us, and on behalf of the members of CAADAC, I want to congratulate you on a job well done. We wish you and your family all the best in the future!
As sad as I am to see Rhonda step down from her position, I am very excited about the hiring of Brenda Cline as our new Executive Director. After serving on the CAADAC Board in the mid-nineties, she returned to the board and has been serving as CAADAC’s treasurer for the past 2+ years. Brenda has several years experience in non-profit management, grants and contract management, grant writing, program development, and board relations. She has over fifteen years experience in the field of alcohol and drug treatment services to include management, evaluation, staff supervision, and direct services. Welcome aboard Brenda!
Lastly, I just want to let you all know what an honor it is to be serving alongside you in a profession which is so meaningful. It never gets old witnessing the miracle of recovery and let us never lose sight of our primary objective – to ensure that those who suffer from this dreadful disease receive the best care possible. I appreciate all you do to ensure this happens.
Bob Tyler, CAADAC President
Last changed: Jul 21 2008 at 4:17 PM
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