I. CALL TO ORDER

This scheduled meeting was called to order at 9:39 a.m., in the Sussex Conference Room, 6th floor, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Committee Chairman, Edward Reading
Committee Member, Sylvia Lippe
Committee Member, Norwood Allen
Committee Member, Jamie Lugo

Recused:

Committee Member, Lorenzo Puertas

Until the matter is resolved, Public Member, Lorenzo Puertas recused from attendance based on services he provides related to the profession that may be a possible violation of the statutory requirement for public board members.

Announcement of quorum was made by Committee Chair, Dr. Reading. Deputy Attorney General, Susan Berger
Administrative Staff: Elaine L. DeMars
Celeste Paige
Vivian Lopez

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion made by Sylvia Lippe, seconded by Jamie Lugo, the minutes of the February 26, 2009 public session meeting were approved as corrected.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no members of the public present.

V. LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY

A. Assembly Bill - 3765

The language of this proposal establishes an 18-month moratorium on the promulgation of new administrative rules and issuance of new policy circular letters by State agencies. The proposed purpose of the bill is to save individuals and businesses money during difficult economic times by reducing the burden of complying with additional State agency regulations and policies.

On a motion made by Norwood Allen, seconded by Sylvia Lippe, the Board voted unanimously to oppose the bill.

A-3765 would limit the regulatory flexibility of Boards and Committees in their mandate to enact public protection regulations in a timely manner. Additionally, if adopted, this bill would delay proposed regulations that were developed by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners to address problems identified through licensing violations. Sub committees and staff worked on the proposed regulations for more than two years and will have wasted valuable time.

Prohibiting the enactment of regulations would prevent the expedited review of applications and provide greater burden on staff and applicants. The budget cuts and hiring freezes over the past 30 months have produced significant staffing shortages for processing applications. The mandate to license qualified mental health care professionals is clearly threatened. This bill may actually increase expenditures through increased staff time and exacerbate the delay in licensing of qualified individuals who may lose their jobs.

B. N.J.A.C. 13:34C-1 et seq.

Regulatory Analyst, Maryann Sheehan advised the Committee that the current rules will remain in effect through September 11, 2009 through a 180 day extension. The proposed revisions to the current regulations will be published in the New Jersey Register in the upcoming months. The proposal process includes a 60 day comment period. At the end of the comment period, the Committee will review and prepare a response to all comments.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

VII. DAS MATTERS

Elizabeth Conte, LPC, LCADC, Workforce Development and Training Coordinator The Committee considered questions presented by Ms. Conte regarding course content, reciprocity, filed consent orders, current domain training, DAS Residential and Outpatient regulations. The Committee determined to respond in writing advising that the Committee will review the course content suggestion. The current certification/licensure application was revised to clarify the requirements and should be helpful when used with the regulations to complete the application process. Ms. Conte will be advised that in order to meet the requirements for certification/license renewal, all continuing education course work is required to comply with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:34C-5. Finally, the Committee will recommend that N.J.A.C. 10:161A-1.9(a)ii of the DAS draft regulations be revised to clarify that a CADC is prohibited from making diagnoses.

VIII. APCBNJ MATTERS

IX. OLD BUSINESS

A. Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies

1. Class Rosters and Certificates of Completion - February 2009

- "Compulsive Gambling: The Hidden Addiction"
- "Proving Services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Orientation- Questioning Clients"
- "Family Therapy for Addiction Counselors"

In reviewing the sample certificates, the Committee will recommend that clarification be provided regarding the approvals noted. Specifically, the certificate and roster for " Providing Services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual ..." includes an approval number, "MFT/ADCC-R08-Renewal" that the Committee did not issue the approval number indicated and does not approve continuing education courses.

The Committee will also advise that upon review of the catalog for the Summer 2009 School of Alcohol and Drug Studies (July 19-24, 2009) the Committee discussed the problems associated with the publication of 2008 Committee approvals in the 2009 catalog. The 2009 catalog also does not include the required disclosure statement (notification to students) as follows:

Approval by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee does not ensure that course work will be accepted for initial certification or licensure in other jurisdictions or by the Certification Board. The Committee approval is for initial New Jersey state certification and licensure purposes only.

X. NEW BUSINESS

A. Lincoln University

Drs. Virginia Smith and Vivian Price attended the public meeting to discuss the Lincoln University Master of Human Services (MHS) and Master of Human Services Degree with a Concentration in Counseling. Drs. Price and Smith provided the history and background of the MHS program as a non-traditional program. The program was created in the 1960s to accommodate experienced professionals to obtain educational opportunities. The Committee clarified the graduate education requirements for alcohol and drug counselor licensure, emphasizing the provisions of N.J.A.C. 13:34C-2.2(b). The Committee review of the MHS transcript established that at a maximum, 6 graduate semester hours may be applied to the 18 clinical graduate credit requirement. LCADC applicants were advised to complete the 12 clinical graduate credits of the Master of Human Services Degree in order to satisfy the 18 clinical graduate credit requirement for licensure. Drs. Smith and Price advised that they would consult with the University’s administration to determine whether MHS graduates could enroll in the program. The Committee will await a response.

B. FY2009 Budget Report

The report for 1st half of Fiscal Year 2009 is presented for Committee review.

OLD BUSINESS

Substance Abuse Evaluator; Title and Function
A. Lynsey A. Johnson, Esq., Fox and Fox LLP
Representing the Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ)

The Committee reviewed Ms. Johnson’s letter dated March 12, 2009 with the attached ASI form and Career Opportunity Announcement for the Substance Abuse Evaluator. The Committee will continue to review the matter.

XI. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for April 24, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

April 24, 2009 September 25, 2009
May 15, 2009 October 23, 2009
June 19, 2009 November 19, 2009
July 24, 2009 December 17, 2009
August 28, 2009

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Committee will move to Executive Session to conduct investigative inquiries, review criminal history background reports, pending disciplinary and confidential matters.

XIII. REVIEW OF CREDENTIALS

Applications for licensure and certification will be reviewed and moved for approval.

A. LCADC - Regular

1. Christopher Asmann
2. Michele Cinkenwicz
3. Carrie L. Liszewski
4. Miguel Oquendo

B. LCADC - Upgrade

1. Michael F. Logsdon
2. Regina M. McKenna

C. CADC - Regular

1. Marta Hess
2. Charles A. Ingleton
3. Ryan J. Lansdell
4. Mark R. Yacker
5. Geneva Young

D. Written and Oral Examinations

1. Marie Browne
2. Kelly A. Efchak
3. Patricia I. Fraher
4. Betty M. Jamison
5. Jean Joseph
6. Linda Lyons
7. Larry Rimbert, Jr.
8. Robert Williams

E. Oral Examination Only

1. Bridget K. Beckett
2. Mindy Bernstein
3. Cheryl A. Davis
4. John T. Hollis

XIV. ADJOURNMENT