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Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs -- Counselors Licensing and Certification Law

Message from Renée Zito, Director of ADP

The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) is sponsoring legislation to establish an alcohol and other drug counselor registration, certification and licensure program to be administered by ADP.

The Department's legislative proposal will make vital changes to the AOD counselor certification and licensure system. By raising the educational standards for those working in the AOD field, we will advance the field and help it to find its place within an evolving system of healthcare.

Our original bill, Senate Bill (SB 707, DeSaulnier), was held in Senate Appropriations Committee last year. However, we’re moving forward. Improving the AOD counselor certification and license system, and sponsoring the legislation to do so, continues to be a top priority for the Department and me.

ADP staff have met over the past several months with individual AOD providers, employer organizations, certifying organizations, and patient advocates to get their perspectives and to hear concerns and solutions. We are drafting language that maintains the integrity of the Administration’s proposal and addresses stakeholder concerns. Once the language is agreed upon by ADP and key stakeholders, and approved by Agency and the Governor's Office, we will seek an interested author to carry the bill.

We greatly appreciate your continued support and interest in this legislation. Let us know what you think by emailing Tina Chiginsky, Deputy Director, Office of Legislative and External Affairs, at tchiginsky@adp.ca.gov. I will keep you posted on our bill as it moves through the legislative process. In the meantime, you may view the language at Proposed Language.

RENÉE ZITO
Director
The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs