What's New

IC&RC Welcomes a New Member Board in Mexico
May 2008

Harrisburg, PA -- IC&RC is proud to welcome our newest member board: Mexican Certification Board for Professionals on Addiction, Alcoholism & Tobacco.  Mexico was approved in April 2008 at IC&RC’s Semi-annual meeting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  The first credential to be offered in Mexico to professionals throughout the country is the Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AAODA).  The addition of a New Member board continues to solidify IC&RC’s reputation as the “gold standard” in certification internationally. 

Incorporated in 1981, and currently headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, IC&RC is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of certifying agencies involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, co-occurring disorders professionals, and criminal justice professionals. IC&RC includes 73 agencies representing more than 37,000 certified professionals internationally. The IC&RC sets the international standards of practice in addiction counseling, prevention and clinical supervision through testing and credentialing of addiction professionals.

For more information regarding certification in Mexico and their requirements, you make contact Sergio Rueda at sergiomind1@mindtechno.com.

IC&RC to Begin Offering Certifications for Co-Occurring Disorders Practitioners
August 15, 2007

Harrisburg, PA – In its ongoing efforts to promote state-of-the-art, quality, competency-based certification programs for professionals engaged in the prevention and treatment of addictions and related problems, the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (IC&RC) will begin offering international and reciprocal credentials for practitioners working with co-occurring/ concurrent substance use and mental disorders.

At its’ April 2007 Board Meeting in Orlando, Florida, IC&RC delegates from regions around the globe overwhelmingly approved credentialing standards for practitioners who treat individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD). The standards identify minimal requirements for both a master’s and bachelor’s level COD credential, as well as a process for transitioning practitioners who currently hold co-occurring credentials issued by IC&RC Member Boards. This development represents an unprecedented advancement in the behavioral health field by promoting international competency-based standards for practitioners involved in the provision of integrated treatment of individuals in recovery from co-occurring disorders.

A growing body of research from around the world has consistently demonstrated that treatment outcomes are significantly improved and societal costs are greatly reduced when individuals with co-occurring disorders receive integrated treatment that addresses the interactive relationship between mental illness and addiction. There is also growing consensus on the need to standardize the skill sets, core competencies, and credentialing processes for practitioners who work with people in recovery from co-occurring disorders. The COD credentialing standards recently released by the IC&RC address this need. For a detailed overview of the COD standards, please visit www.icrcaoda.org/credentialing.asp. 

The IC&RC will be accepting applications from certification boards and approved organizations interested in offering the COD credentials in their region.  For more information, please contact the IC&RC/AODA at 717.540.4457 or visit www.icrcaoda.org.

Incorporated in 1981, and currently headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, IC&RC is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of certifying agencies involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, and criminal justice professionals. IC&RC includes 73 agencies representing more than 35,000 certified professionals internationally. The IC&RC sets the international standards of practice in addiction counseling, prevention and clinical supervision through testing and credentialing of addiction professionals.

Contact     

Marshall Rosier
IC&RC COD Committee, Co-chair
203.284.8800
mrosier@ctcertboard.org

Lee Dalphonse
IC&RC COD Committee, Co-chair
401.294.6160, ex. 112
LDalphonse@ctcertboard.org

IC&RC Announces New Certification for Co-Occurring Disorders Practitioners
January 18, 2007

Harrisburg, PA – In its ongoing efforts to promote state-of-the-art, quality, competency-based certification programs for professionals engaged in the prevention and treatment of addictions and related problems, Jeff Wilbee, President of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (IC&RC), today announced the IC&RC will offer an international and reciprocal certification for practitioners working with co-occurring/concurrent substance use and mental disorders.

Several international organizations have focused increasing attention on the unique needs of people with co-occurring disorders (COD). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified co-occurring disorders as a top priority.

The IC&RC identified the need for a credential specifically designed to address the competencies required for those professionals working with people in recovery from co-occurring substance use and mental disorders and has committed to the development of a COD credential.

At its April 2006 meeting in San Francisco, CA, the IC&RC created a COD task force – Co-Chaired by Marshall Rosier, of the Connecticut Certification Board and Lee Dalphonse, of Stanley Street Treatment & Resources of Rhode Island - charged with designing proposed standards for a COD credential. Their recommendations were reviewed at the October 2006 meeting in San Diego, CA where the IC&RC Member Boards voted in favor of developing a COD credential.

The COD credential will identify minimum educational, work experience and supervision standards and a written exam will be required. It is anticipated that the credential will be available in late 2007.

Incorporated in 1981, and currently headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, IC&RC is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of certifying agencies involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, and criminal justice professionals. IC&RC includes 73 agencies representing more than 35,000 certified professionals internationally. The IC&RC sets the international standards of practice in addiction counseling, prevention and clinical supervision through testing and credentialing of addiction professionals.

 For more information about the COD credential, please contact Marshall Rosier, mrosier@ctcertboard.org or Lee Dalphonse, ldalphonse@ctcertboard.org.

The IC&RC in Recovery Today

The IC&RC is featured in the December Issue of Recovery Today.   The article, written by Frank Davis the chairman of the Texas Certification Board,  discusses the 25th Anniversary of the organization, it's rich history and the honoring of our three founding boards.  To view the article please go to Recovery Today. 

IC&RC and NAADAC Leaders Discuss Potential Collaboration
Independent Third Parties Facilitate Discussion

Harrisburg, PA – Representatives from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (IC&RC/AODA) and NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, are participating in a series of interviews to discuss issues, barriers, and opportunities for increased collaboration or possible merger between the two organizations. 

IC&RC CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY!

Incorporated in 1981, the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  The IC&RC plans to honor its three founding member boards: Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan in San Diego at its bi-annual meeting on October 24th-27th.  These three boards laid the groundwork for what is now an internationally recognized organization that has 73 member credentialing boards world-wide, representing over 35,000 certified addiction professionals. 

The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (IC&RC) is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of private, non-profit and governmental certifying boards involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, and criminal justice addiction professionals.

Jeff Wilbee, President of IC&RC, looks forward to the future stating: “The organization that has grown from those pioneer times through the dedication and hard work of thousands of people exists to ensure the best quality of care for those families and individuals suffering from addictions.  As exciting as the first twenty-five years have been, the future holds an even greater promise of progress and service.”

IC&RC and its members are committed to public protection through the establishment of quality, competency-based certification programs for professionals engaged in the prevention and treatment of addictions and related problems. The organization also promotes the establishment and recognition of minimum standards to provide reciprocity for certified professionals.

UPDATE: IC&RC/NAADAC Merger

The collaborative talks between IC&RC and NAADAC, which first began in February 2005, continue. The most recent discussions between the organizations include the possibility of mutually managed international certificates. The complete press release is available.

QUESTIONS ABOUT IC&RC PRODUCTS OR SERVICES?

If you have any questions about IC&RC products or services, try our Frequently Asked Questions page or send a detailed email and we will respond promptly to your request for information.