DRUG, ALCOHOL & ADDICTIONS COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM ORIENTATION INFORMATION 

CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY - The authority of the Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors to educate counselors is stated as it’s education purpose in its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws authorized and approved in California by the Office of the Secretary of State.  The authority to practice Drug & Alcohol Counseling, Addictions Counseling, Marriage & Family Counseling, Child & Youth Counseling, and Christian counseling covering all areas pertaining to life and well-being, is granted under the Christian Ministry of New Hope Outreach, a non-denominational ministry and fellowship.  ACADC is one of a few certification organizations authorized by the California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs to certify Drug & Alcohol Counselors to grant Drug & Alcohol Counselor Certifications.  Our courses are also accredited by the California Bureau of Private, Post-secondary and Vocational Education in collaboration with Potters Bible College & Theological Seminary.  ACADC is also a member of the Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability (ACEA), and submitted its principles of educational accountablity. We are bound by the Doctrine of Sola Scriptura (the mainstream Christian doctrine governing biblical  churches throughout the world) that declares the sufficiency of scripture to counsel any man, woman, or child with regard to all issues pertaining to the human soul including the mind, will and emotions.   ACADC is further bound by this doctrine to not compromise Christian Biblical standards in the material taught through its institute.  The California Department of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians have further granted The Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors authority to issue Continuing Education credits of all courses taken through the ACADC Institute to meet professional annual certification requirements. 

REGISTRATION WITH ACADC

To register with ACADC fill out the registration form.  Make your check or money order payable in the amount of $325 to ACADC and attach it to the form.  This fee covers registration, the CSAC Exam, and your certificate upon completion.  Send it to:  ACADC, PO Box 8604, Redlands, CA  92375. As soon as we have received your registration form and your payment, you have completed the registration process and we will add you to our official rolls as a member of the Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors.  Also upon the receipt of your registration form and exam fee, your CSAC Exam will be emailed or mailed to you.  Please return it after you have completed the exam to the same address listed about.  As soon as you pass the exam, we will mail out your CSAC I Certification which qualifies you as an entry level drug and alcohol counselor under authority of the Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors and allows you to complete your other requirements for the CSAC II and CDAAC designations.  The CDAAC is our highest professional credential for drug & alcohol counselors and grants full professional state certification to practice as a professional in the state of California.

THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM INCLUDING CERTIFICATION BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL & DRUG PROGRAMS – The Professional Substance Abuse & Addictions Counselor Training is a one-year certification program designed to equip the counselor to reach those coming out of substance abuse and addictions or dysfunctional family lifestyles on mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.  It consists of 58 courses that meet state & federal curriculum criteria without compromising Biblical truth.  The Professional program also covers counseling theories and practices as taught at most secular colleges and universities and compares these theories and approaches to biblical truth.  This certification requires completion of the CSAC I Exam, the CSAC II written research project and oral interview defending the project as meeting a present need, and the completion of all requirements mandated by the California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs as described on their official website including 160 hours of supervision under an AOD certified counselor, and 2080 hours of drug & alcohol counseling field experience.

THE CSAC I PROGRAM – This program prepares a student to counsel within a local church, ministry or recovery program under qualified supervision, and grants a certification that allows one to gain counseling experience required for the CSAC II and CDAAC Credentials.  It requires a 70% or better score on the CSAC I Exam, which tests on the applicant’s level of biblical knowledge, wisdom and insight needed to do no harm in counseling and be able to counsel at the entry level. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS – Upon initial registration, each student is responsible to set an appointment with one of the staff counselors for counseling regarding the internship practicum. During the counseling session an internship counseling area will be identified and a goal and time line for completion of your internship project will be completed and placed into your student file.  It is the responsibility of the student to make an appointment at least quarterly for an educational counseling interview to assure that you are on track and not falling behind in meeting your requirements.  ACADC Institute is committed to fulfilling all requirements for the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, The National Organization of Competency Assurance, and the Apostolic Council of Educational Accountability and will not pass students who fail to meet their requirements.

FIELD EXPERIENCE – If you are registered with ACADC please remember that it is your responsibility to make an appointment with a staff counselor or teacher who will meet with you to discuss your field experience requirement.  In order to meet the field experience requirements for state certification, the requirement is 160 hours of supervision under a certified AOD (alcohol and other drug) counselor, and 2080 hours of field experience (paid or volunteer).

TUITION & FEES (Professional Counselor Certification) – The course application fee is $125 (If you have already paid your registration fee, this fee is waived). Checks should be made payable to ACADC. The tuition for the 58-week Substance Abuse & Addictions Counselor Certification is $1450.   

LOCATIONS:

CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS:   Huntington Beach, Moreno Valley, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area (Fremont), Westminster.

OUT OF STATE:  Washington D.C.

INTERNATIONAL:  Saskatchewan, Canada

For further information of times and locations call ACADC at (909) 307-0183.

YOUR PROGRAM BEGINS WHEN YOU BEGIN:  Each of our programs cycle continuously so that students may start whenever they are ready and not have to wait for the new term to begin.

ATTENDANCE:  Students will be granted credit for class attendance if they arrive no later than 30 minutes past the scheduled time for the class to begin.  Many important things get covered in the first few minutes of class including prayer.  Students who miss the first 30 minutes of class will be required to repeat the class before they could be granted certification.   In addition, every class the student misses must be made up within 60 days.  If a student misses two (2) classes in a row without submitting a valid reason in writing, he or she will be dropped from the active student roll without refund of tuition or fees.  If the student wants to attend at a later date, he or she must reapply for admission.  Credit for courses taken in previous attempts will be granted.

MAKE-UP CLASSES (See local administrator for local policy)

TRANSFER CREDIT FROM OTHER COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAMS - We evaluate transcripts and accept verifiable work completed at other institutions.  Send a sealed copy of your official transcripts to ACADC Institute, PO Box 8604, Redlands, CA   92375, with a fee of $25 made payable to ACADC.  Your transcripts will be evaluated and you will be informed of any courses that you will need to take to meet present professional requirements.

 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT – 40 hours of continuing education is required every 2 years to keep your certification up to date.  This requirement can be easily met by attending the scheduled Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors classes, seminars, and workshops held throughout the year at a variety of locations.  3 CE’s or CEU’s of credit are given for each meeting you attend.  Call the main office for information on topics, meeting dates, times and locations.  CE’s or CEU’s can also be obtained by signing up for a class on any of the core knowledge subject areas you feel you need to strengthen your skills.  There will always be more than enough opportunities to fulfill this annual requirement.

ANNUAL RENEWAL FEES - There is a renewal fee of $150 payable to ACADC every two years.  Consult your certificate for the due date.  In order to renew the counselor must be up to date on continuing education requirements.

ORIENTATIONS – Each new student will be given an orientation briefing at the first class they attend. Because the weekly classes repeat every cycle, new students may begin at any class meeting.  The orientation will be given after class and will last about a half-hour. Call (909) 307-0183 for any further questions you may have.

Rev 6/05