All Education submitted for certification or re-certification must be SACAVA approved at the time of application. Pre-approval of continuing education may be obtained by attendance at educational and training events which have received such pre-approval from SACAVA either as an individual training event or from an organization which has been granted Educational Providership status.

Continuing education is a planned learning experience which is designed to promote the development of knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes for the enhancement of the practice of addictions treatment and prevention services and thereby improve the quality of client care and prevention services.

Training objectives shall be oriented toward expected learner outcomes in behavioral terms, can be evaluated, are attainable and are relevant to current addiction treatment and prevention practice.

Presenters of continuing education shall have demonstrated expertise in the specific content area which is addressed and shall have the pedagogical ability to impart the subject mater to those who participate in the continuing education event.

Educational materials and teaching methods shall be appropriate to achieve the training objectives. The time allotted for each activity shall be sufficient for the participant to meet the training objectives. Principles of adult education shall be utilized to determine teaching strategies and learning activities.

Participants shall be given the opportunity to evaluate learning experiences, instructional methods, facilities and resources utilized in the continuing education event.

The subject matter shall be specifically designed to meet the training objectives and the stated level and learning needs of the participants. The content shall be planned in logical order and reflect input from those knowledgeable in the subject matter. Appropriate subject matter for continuing education offerings shall reflect the professional and educational requirements of the participants in order to meet the needs of the consumer and consist of content from one or more of the areas listed and described as follows:

Educational Providership Guidelines

Continuing Education Requirements of SACAVA

SACAVA fully endorses the concept that a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC), Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Counselor (CCJP), Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Certified Clinical Supervisor-Virginia (CCS-V), or Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) must be a professional and competent practitioner in the specialty field of substance abuse treatment or prevention services in which proven, effective experience must be constantly reinforced through concurrent education and training.

To maintain the high standards of the profession and to assure the continuing awareness and appropriate incorporation of new knowledge in the field, SACAVA requires that all Certified Addictions Counselors, Certified Clinical Supervisors, or Certified Prevention Professionals be re-certified every two (2) years.

In order to be re-certified, a Certified Addictions Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor, or Certified Prevention Professional must, along with other requirements, maintain knowledge of the discipline through documented, ongoing, pertinent education and training within the prior two (2) years. This education and training must meet or exceed the standards of SACAVA for continuing education as described.  For additional training and re-certification guidelines, please refer to appropriate sections of this website.

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