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Media Contact:
Kay Glass
kay@icrcaoda.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International
Organization Credentials One of the
Fastest Growing Professions
HARRISBURG, PA –
January 18, 2010 –
IC&RC announced that the
number of professionals who hold its credentials has
crossed the 40,000 mark. That number is expected to
continue to increase, with the U.S. Department of Labor
(DOL) naming
substance abuse and
behavioral disorder counseling as one of the fastest
growing professions. In its Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, the DOL reported that
there are 86,100
substance abuse and
behavioral disorder counselors
in
2008,
and they projected
growth of 21 percent in the next 10 years.
“We’re proud to reach that milestone, especially at such
an exciting time in the organization’s history,”
explains Mary Jo Mather, Executive Director of IC&RC.
“It’s even more remarkable when you look at those
statistics – up to half of all substance abuse
professionals hold IC&RC certificates.”
A
2007 report by the California Association of Alcoholism
and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) found that 38
states/boards – or 74 percent – exclusively use the
IC&RC & Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AODA) standards for
certification and competency exams. Another 20 percent
allow the IC&RC exam as an option.
“Consumers
who seek treatment or prevention programs deserve to
know that their counselor, preventionist or other
specialist has met the most rigorous competency
demands,” explains Rhonda Messamore, Executive Director
of CAADAC and President of IC&RC. “The public can be
assured that they will receive the utmost professional
and cutting edge-care if their provider has achieved a
professional designation that IC&RC offers.”
“As
society becomes more
knowledgeable about addiction, more people are seeking
treatment. Furthermore, drug offenders are increasingly
being sent to treatment programs rather than to jail,”
the DOL wrote. The report states that
“projected job growth
varies by specialty, but job opportunities should be favorable because
job openings are expected to exceed the number of
graduates from counseling programs, especially in rural
areas.”
The
government report especially mentions the value of
certification: “Usually, becoming certified is voluntary,
but having certification may enhance one’s job prospects.”
“For
almost three decades, IC&RC has furthered the substance
abuse profession through credentialing,” says Mather.
“Certification ensures that practitioners have the skills,
knowledge, and training necessary to best serve their
clients – and our communities. Our exams are constantly
updated, based on the latest research and evaluated by
leaders in the field.”
The
career is attractive, due to several factors. The
Occupational Outlook Handbook cites stable salaries and
career advancement:
·
“Median
annual wages of substance abuse and behavioral
disorder counselors in May 2008 were $37,030. The
middle 50 percent earned between $29,410 and
$47,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$24,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than
$59,460. ”
·
“Prospects for advancement vary by counseling field.
Counselors also may become supervisors or
administrators in their agencies. Some counselors
move into research, consulting, or college teaching
or go into private or group practice. Some may
choose to pursue a doctoral degree to improve their
chances for advancement.”
IC&RC
sets the international standards for competency-based
certification programs through testing and credentialing of
addiction professionals. Incorporated in 1981, IC&RC
represents 73 member boards, including
42
states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and
13 countries worldwide, as well as affiliations with the
U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Marines.
IC&RC’s credentials include Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse
Counselor (AODA), Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse
Counselor (AAODA), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS),
Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), Certified Criminal
Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP), Certified
Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (CCDP), and
Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomate (CCDPD).
# # #
Media
Contact:
Kay Glass
kay@icrcaoda.org
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former
First Lady of Ohio Urges
Addiction Credentialing Professionals
To Promote Message of Prevention
COLUMBUS,
OH – October 21, 2009 - Hope Taft, former First Lady of
Ohio, gave the Keynote Address today at the annual meeting
of the Board of Directors of IC&RC. The international
organization sets the minimum
standards for competency-based certification programs in
addiction counseling, prevention, criminal justice,
co-occurring disorders and clinical supervision through
testing and credentialing of addiction professionals.
“We’re proud to have the First Lady address our members,”
said Mary Jo Mather, Executive Director of IC&RC. “Her
experience and insight are so valuable.”
Taft has been a vital
advocate for the substance abuse prevention and treatment
community. She joins other governors’ spouses and co-chairs
the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, an initiative
dedicated to keeping children ages nine to 15 alcohol free.
Taft has been an active participant with the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration’s Too Smart to
Start and Underage Drinking Programs.
Over the past 35
years, Taft has volunteered and served on numerous boards of
arts, cultural, civic and services organizations. She has
served on the National Advisory Council for the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National
Conference of State Legislatures’ Advisory Committee on the
Treatment of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. Taft was a
member of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment National
Advisory Council from 1999 to 2003. She has also received
numerous honors, as well as state and national recognition,
for her volunteer public service in the areas of mental
health and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
“I was very happy
when I was made a certified prevention specialist, which
qualifies me for IC&RC’s CPS credential,” explained Taft.
“I’m concerned now, because funding for universal prevention
efforts is decreasing at a time when it should be
increasing. I do work in Washington, and this year the
national funding was zeroed out. I was told that all the
letters to Congress were important, but they all came from
professionals who had jobs to preserve. Where were letters
from parents, businesspeople, the community?”
Taft
went on to add, “Every child is at risk for early drug use. We
need to think about how we can reenergize the broader public to
make prevention a public issue.”
Attendees at the meeting are administrators and board members
from 73 credentialing boards that represent over 37,000
certified addiction professionals, located in 42 states, the
District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and 13 countries
worldwide, as well as affiliations with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Navy and Marines.

Bob Field, Jeff Wilbee, Hope Taft, Mary Jo Mather
# # #
Media
Contact:
Kay Glass
kay@icrcaoda.org
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International
Addictions Certification Organization Elects New Leadership
COLUMBUS, OH – October 21, 2009
– At the annual meeting of IC&RC, the Board elected new
leadership today. Rhonda Messamore, Executive Director of
California
Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC),
was elected President, and Scott Breedlove, Administrator
for the Missouri Substance Abuse Professional Credentialing
Board (MSAPCB), is the new Treasurer. Both offices hold
two-year terms.
In her nominating speech, Messamore
remarked, “I
must pay tribute to our most humble, hard-working board
members, staff, executive committee and our fearless leader
for their tireless efforts and ongoing commitment, which has
led IC&RC to be the most prominent organization for
addiction and prevention certification in the world.”
“As
your President, I shall work diligently with every facet of
IC&RC and all other national, international and local
organizations. I vigorously trust that a good leader is only
as good as those he or she surrounds him or herself with. I
am grateful to be surrounded by the many accomplished and
notably experienced professionals that make IC&RC the
premiere certification organization in the world.”
Messamore, who holds a
CADC II and ICADC, oversees
the California membership board, certification board and
education foundation.
She started her tenure with IC&RC in 2006 and since then has
sat on multiple standing committees and advisory task
forces, including Business Plan, Standards, Marketing, and
AODA.
In her home state, she
serves on the several committees for the
California
Department of Alcohol and Drug Program Administration –
Continuum of Services Redesign (including workforce
development), Ethics Subcommittee, and Certification
Advisory Board.
Messamore has
worked as an addiction treatment provider for inpatient,
outpatient, residential, therapeutic communities and
women/children. She is also a volunteer youth advocate with
her church.
After the election, Messamore
reiterated her “passion for consumer protection and maintaining
the highest standards of competence.” She also described her
determination, “It is with a grateful heart that I recognize
Jeff Wilbee and his efforts to take IC&RC to the highest level.
I am determined to continue his work, though his shoes are very
hard to fill.”
Breedlove has been involved
with the IC&RC since October 2006. During that time, he has
served as the Distance Learning Taskforce Chair, Mentoring
Taskforce Chair, Membership Services Co‐Chair,
and Finance Committee Chair. He has a bachelor’s degree in
Accounting and over 10 years of work experience in various
Accounting work settings.
Breedlove said as he
accepted the role, “As the MSAPCB Administrator, I have a good
understanding of the needs facing member boards and as a member
of the IC&RC Executive Committee, I have gained knowledge about
how our organization operates and the needs and challenges we
face to continue to move our organization forward. It would be
my honor to serve the IC&RC as Treasurer for the next two
years.”
IC&RC
sets the international
standards for competency-based
certification programs in addiction counseling, prevention,
criminal justice, co-occurring disorders and clinical
supervision through testing and credentialing of addiction
professionals. It is comprised of 73 credentialing
boards that represent over 37,000 certified addiction
professionals, located in 42 states, the District of Columbia,
two U.S. territories, and 13 countries worldwide, as well as
affiliations with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and
Marines.

Rhonda
Messamore, Scott Breedlove
# # #
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World’s
Leading Addiction Credentialing Organization
Introduces Computer-Based Testing
HARRISBURG, PA – September
14, 2009 – IC&RC, the international organization that sets
certification standards for addictions professionals, is
adding computer-based testing (CBT) to all of its
credentials examinations. Starting in September 2009,
candidates in 42 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S.
territories, and 13 countries – as well from the U.S. Army,
U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Marines – will be able to take
credentials examinations at over 250 testing sites.
CBT offers several
benefits to addictions professionals:
- The flexibility to
take examinations any date and time. The initial
examination period is September 14 to 26 and, in the
future, examinations will take place for two-week
periods every March, June, September and December.
- The choice to take the
examination in any location, regardless of the
jurisdiction where one is seeking a credential. Once
candidates register with their local certification
board, they can select a testing site anywhere in the
world.
- The opportunity to
learn one’s preliminary score immediately. The official
score will be mailed by the candidate’s local
certification board.
“CBT is more convenient
for candidates and more convenient for boards,” explains
Mary Jo Mather, Executive Director of IC&RC. “This move is
reflective of the overall trend towards computer-based
testing.”
IC&RC worked with Iso-Quality
Testing (IQT), the computer-based administration network of
Schroeder Measurement Technologies, Inc., to create
computer-based examinations for all of its credentials,
including Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AODA),
Advanced Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AAODA),
Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Prevention Specialist (CPS),
Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP),
Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (CCDP), and Certified
Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomate (CCDPD).
The paper-and-pencil
examination will still be available at the discretion of each
certification board. Some boards still offer it; others – Wisconsin – will transition completely to CBT.
IC&RC sets the international
minimum standards for competency-based certification programs in
addiction counseling, prevention, criminal justice, co-occurring
disorders and clinical supervision through testing and
credentialing of addiction professionals. Its members include 73
organizations representing more than 37,000 certified
professionals internationally.
Media
Contact:
Kay Glass
kay@icrcaoda.org
# # #
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 74 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.
I
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.
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