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).

  

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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?”

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.

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).