I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion by Sylvia Lippe, seconded by Jamie Lugo the minutes of the March 28, 2008 public meeting were approved as amended.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

Richard Bowe, Executive Director,
Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey (APCBNJ)

Mr. Bowe addressed the Committee to discuss aspects of the ICRC written and oral examinations. He reported that although ICRC has changed Domain assignments, the content has not changed. The changes are based on the 2008 National Job Task Analysis Assessment Study and are included in the Candidate Guide. Mr. Bowe emphasized that the changes do not affect the requirements specified in either the statute or regulations for licensure or certification of alcohol and drug counselors.

ICRC now includes eight domains (Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Referral, Service Coordination, Counseling, Client, Family and Community Education, Documentation and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities) rather than the five included in the statute and regulations.

The International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education (INCASE) initiative was also discussed. A total of seven New Jersey colleges and universities are involved in a pilot program to standardize matriculated addiction course work (does not include the workshop model). He noted that a second meeting will be scheduled for those educational institution representatives who expressed interest in the program but were not able to attend the initial meeting.

The ICRC has decided not to use the oral examination as a uniform requirement because the ICRC could not guarantee that the examiners from all the states/provinces/territories would be administering the examination with absolute uniformity. Several states have, however, chosen to continue to require the oral examination. The "content/skill evaluation" will be included in the updated written examination. Since APCBNJ owns the rights to the examination and the statute and regulations require the oral examination, the Committee noted that the ICRC decision has no impact on the current requirements or process.

V. LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

A. N.J.A.C. 10:200 - In- Community Mental Health Rehabilitative Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults (Informational)

The Committee discussed the proposed new rule, N.J.A.C. 10-200, In-Community Mental Health Rehabilitative Services for Children, Youth and Young Adults. This proposal requires that clinical level professionals provide mental health services. The language of the proposal would exclude the LAC and LSW from practice within the program in agencies contracted by the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services (DCBHS). The Division of Consumer Affairs has submitted a recommendation that licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors be included in the category of providers at community addition related services. The comment further advised that licensed social workers and licensed associate counselors are authorized within the scope of his or her practice to provide services under supervision. It was noted that the comment included reference to the ratio of cases related to substance abuse issues.

B. Proposed Legislation

1. First Quarter Report

The Committee reviewed the January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008 First Quarter Report and accepted it as informational.

2. A-1184

The language of this bill would authorize the courts to waive license revocation process for child support obligors, who have an arrearage of six months or more, upon satisfactory showing that the obligor is currently employed and is making child support payments. Failure to make the payments may result in license suspension. The Committee accepted the bill as informational.

3. S-1060 This bill would require conditionally discharged drug dependent persons to undergo assessment and drug treatment. The Committee will seek clarification (pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2) of the definition of the term "drug dependent" as opposed to the term "drug abuser."

This bill proposes to delay the expiration date of certain professional and occupational licenses and registrations for individuals with certain types of military service. The Committee accepted the bill as informational.

C. Pamphlet Laws

P.L. 2007, c. 307

The Committee accepted as informational a copy of the Pamphlet Law which provides that the director or a board shall not disclose to the public information indicating the place of residence of any licensee or holder of a license, registration or certification without the consent of the individual except when disclosure is required by a federal or State regulatory authority, law enforcement or judicial authority. The Committee encouraged licensees to check the "address of record" listed in the online licensee directory at: http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/consumeraffairs/search/searchentry.pl

VI. LICENSE RENEWAL

Executive Director Elaine DeMars reported that the copies of the alcohol and drug counselor licensure renewal notices have been postedon the Committee’s web page. Following a successful "test renewal" by a licensee, the renewal notifications are being mailed to all licensees and certificate holders in the "active" status.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE

A. Linda Mur, Ph.D., LCADC

The Committee reviewed an e-mail forwarded by Dr. Mur regarding agency group supervision (N.J.A.C. 10:161B-1.8(d)3). The Committee will write to Dr. Mur to advise her that licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors are not required, under state law, to practice under supervision. An agency may, however, require that their LCADCs receive supervision. An agency may determine the supervisory structure deemed necessary for quality assurance, it is however, incorrect to attribute the LCADC supervision requirement to the statute (N.J.S.A. 45:2D) or the regulations (N.J.A.C. 13:34C).

B. Maryann Miranda, CADC

The Committee reviewed an e-mail submitted by Ms. Miranda regarding mental health professionals administering and interpreting psychological tests. The Committee will write to Ms. Miranda advising her that such functions are not included in the scope of practice for the CADC (N.J.A.C. 13:34C-3.1(b)).

C. Requests for Continuing Education Extensions/Clarification

The following certificate holders have requested an extension for completing the continuing education hours required for license renewal:

1. Sandra Armstrong

The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by Ms. Armstrong who requests an extension for completing the continuing education required for license renewal. The Committee determined to request that Ms. Armstrong provide a sworn statement attesting to her circumstances. The Committee will also ask the writer for the total number of continuing education contact hours completed to date.

2. Tyrone Hartman

The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by Mr. Hartman who requests an extension for completing the continuing education required for license renewal. The Committee determined to request that Mr. Hartman provide a sworn statement attesting to his circumstances. The Committee will also ask the writer for the total number of continuing education contact hours completed to date.

3. Miriam Kaplan

The Committee reviewed a letter submitted by Ms. Kaplan who requests an extension for completing the continuing education required for license renewal. The Committee determined to request that Ms. Armstrong provide a sworn statement detailing her illness. The Committee will also ask the writer for the total number of continuing education contact hours completed to date.

4. Phyllis G. Reilly

The Committee reviewed an e-mail submitted by Ms. Reilly seeking clarification of the continuing education requirements for renewal. In response to her questions regarding credits for teaching a new class, Ms. Reilly will be referred to N.J.A.C. 13:34C-5.1(b)1. Accordingly, she is permitted to 1 ˝ hours for each qualifying program up to a maximum of 9 continuing education hours.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Gail Milgram, Ph.D. - The Center for Alcohol Studies

1. Letter of April 21, 2008

In review of the letter requesting Committee review of thirty-seven course offerings, the Committee determined to table discussion pending the Committee review of the submission. Acting Director Lawrence DeMarzo and Deputy Attorney General Sandra Dick addressed the Committee regarding the request for reconsideration of the course offerings submitted for the Summer and Fall programs. The Committee agreed to review selected course offerings with the benefit of a detailed evaluations by the chairman of the department, explaining how the curriculum for each course meets the domain/topic requirements.

2. April 3, 2008 Seminar Roster

The Committee accepted the submission as informational.

3. April 29, 2008 Seminar Roster

The Committee accepted the submission as informational.

B. Victoria Ravenna

The Committee reviewed Ms. Ravenna’s April 2008 letter in which she again requests an appearance before the Committee to discuss her request for a modification of her restricted license. The Committee will seek further information, but noted that pursuant to the May 4, 2007 filed Consent Order, Ms. Ravenna has not provided sufficient basis for modification of the Consent Order.

C. New Jersey Counseling Association

The Committee reviewed an e-mail submitted by New Jersey Counseling Association President, F. Jennifer Cooper. Ms. Cooper wrote to thank Committee members Edward Reading and Executive Director Elaine DeMars for the workshop presentation at the New Jersey Counseling Association Annual Conference held on April 28, 2008.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

NAADAC Newsletter

The Committee reviewed a copy of NAADAC’s Spring 2008 newsletter and asked Executive Director DeMars to write to the organization to seek (1) clarification of the list of "New Jersey Substance Abuse Professionals" which includes individuals who do not hold a license as mental health professionals and (2)whether the listing is NAADAC members only. It was also noted that "Recovery Assistance Program Training (RAPT)" is listed under "New Jersey Education Providers," even though the organization is no longer in operation.

X. REVIEW OF CREDENTIALS

On a motion by Norwood Allen, seconded by Jamie Lugo te following applicatiions were approved as listed:

Written and Oral Exam (LCADC)

Hennrich, Kathleen
Longley, Stephanie
Montoio, Joseph

Oral Exam Only (LCADC)

Mein, Scott
Moore, Geraldine

Written and Oral Exam (CADC)

Colon, Rosemarie
Elm, Dawn V.
Focaccia, Laura O.
Garrett, Melissa
Haines, Patricia
Jenkins, Jennifer
Mendelsohn, Munuzuri
Paramo, Yasmin
Turner, Mark A.

CADC - Regular

Cronin, Joseph
Haynes, Marvin
Hernandez, Toi
Kerr, Karen
McKensie, William
Ripley, Bruce
Valderrama, Klidy
Vidal, Kenia

LCADC - Upgrade

Higgins, Suzanne
Munene, Karuri
Wright, Jamie

LCADC - Regular

Moleski, Sharon M.
Nusser, Margaret A.
Sabatino, Stacie
Sampson, Joni
Thomsen, Lois A.
Varnarvis-Robinson, Marie E.
Walton, Marsha

XI NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Friday, June 27, 2008

June 27, 2008 October 24, 2008
July 24, 2008 November 21, 2008
August 22, 2008 December 19, 2008
September 19, 2008

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 12:12 pm, on a motion by Norwood Allen, seconded by Sylvia Lippe the Committee moved to Executive Session to discuss pending disciplinary and confidential matters.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Norwood Allen, seconded by Jamie Lugo, the Committee adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.

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