SACAVA
PURPOSE

Who We Are:  About SACAVA

The purpose of this organization is to protect and safeguard the general public and the consumers of substance abuse services through the certification of individuals as Addictions Counselors, Criminal Justice (Addictions) Professionals, Clinical Supervisors and Prevention Specialists at an internationally recognized level of competency.  Additionally, this Organization shall support the initiatives and legislation that would require substance abuse services providers to have competency-based credentials which meet or exceed the standards of the international Certification and reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and other Drug Abuse, Inc.  

In 1988, SACAVA was founded with initial grant funding from the Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (VAADAC) ,the Virginia Association of Drug and Alcohol Programs (VADAP) and support from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. SACAVA Certification provides a second tier of substance abuse certification in Virginia that meets or exceeds the certification standards of the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium; IC&RC. Currently, the IC&RC has 73 member boards representing more than 40,000 certified professionals worldwide. As many as half of all substance abuse professionals in the U.S. hold IC&RC certificates.

The IC&RC exists to promote uniform professional standards, protect and safeguard the general public, provide quality control for the substance abuse counseling profession, provide counselor reciprocity among member boards, and to give the profession greater visibility throughout the United States and internationally.

With over 550 members, SACAVA continues to present itself to the Commonwealth of Virginia as a viable entity in the promotion of competency-based credentialing for the substance abuse profession.  

To order materials to prepare for the above certification exams please go to:  ReadyToTest.com

To maintain professional standards, ensure continued awareness, and provide an avenue to incorporate new knowledge in the field, SACAVA requires that all Certified CAC, CCS, CPP, and CCJP be recertified  every two years. Recertification requires that all certified members must, maintain knowledge of their certified discipline through documented, on-going, pertinent education and training within the prior two (2) years of recertification. This education and training must meet or exceed the standards required by SACAVA for continuing education.

SACAVA offers the following recertifications:

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Alcohol and Drug  Counselor (ADC)
Clinical Supervisor (CS) 		Prevention Specialist  (PS)
Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)

SACAVA cordially welcomes and sincerely appreciates any interest your agency has in providing continuing education to substance abuse counselors, supervisors, criminal justice and prevention specialist and other professionals in the field of chemical dependency and prevention services.   SACAVA has Education Providership information explaining the process for being a provider.