Joliet, Ill. – University of St. Francis (USF) Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC) program instructors, students and alumni attended and participated in the Illinois Certification Board’s (ICB) annual spring conference on March 20 – 24, 2023, at the Westin Northwest in Itasca, Illinois. The conference was attended by over 400 professionals in the substance use disorder field and provided workshops and presentations designed to educate and provide information to these professionals. USF participants included: (current SAC students) Rebecca Giese, Hannah Nevin, Jazmyn Warner, Cameo Dixon, (current MSW and SAC graduate student) Monika Gomez, (SAC graduate) Kirsten Leininger, (SAC program coordinator) Lawrence Dunbar, (CRSS program coordinator) Marcia Van Natta, (CRSS internship coordinator) Patti Ferdon, and (CRSS academic coach) Dr. Marisa Scanlon. USF students were able to attend various workshops to increase their knowledge, network with others in the field, and participate in a job fair. The students also helped staff the USF exhibit table at the conference providing marketing exposure to USF and our programs. During the conference, Lawrence Dunbar, Kirsten Leininger and Monika Gomez presented a three-hour evening workshop titled, “Evidenced-Based Complimentary Modalities of Treatment,” that included hands-on modalities such as play and sandbox therapy, meditation, music and drumming therapy, guided imagery, animal-assisted therapy, mindfulness and Reiki. As part of the conference’s “Student Appreciation Day” and annual luncheon meeting, USF junior Cameo Dixon was presented with the John Reese Scholarship Award, which allows the winner to attend the next annual Spring Conference at no cost. The award is presented to a student of an Accredited Training Program who has shown need and a passion for the field. Also during the conference, current and new ICB Board members were introduced, including:

Lawrence Dunbar (current ICB board president) and Marcia Van Natta (current ICB board past-president);
Monika Gomez (new six-year term as an ICB board member);
Rebecca Giese (new two-year term as an ICB board student advisor)
Kirsten Leininger (ratified three-year term as an ICB board member).

About the Illinois Certification Board The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes standards for professionals in the addictions whose mission is to protect the public by providing competency-based credentialing of Human Service Professionals. ICB protects the welfare of the public through improvement of quality health care service being provided to the individual, his/her family, and/or significant others by writing and publishing standards, evaluating experience and education, reviewing each application for the respective credential, and upgrading those standards. ICB’s professional standards meet or exceed all international standards for practitioners. The organization also encourages the highest ethical standards for all practitioners. Visit https://iaodapca.org/ for more information. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #

Joliet, Ill. – University of St. Francis (USF) recently announced that student Monika Gomez has been elected to a two-year term on the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). Gomez, who began her term earlier this month, will be filling a newly created Board seat and will be representing students enrolled in ICB-accredited training programs in the State of Illinois. This past May, Gomez graduated Cum Laude from USF with a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling. At that time, Gomez also began coursework at USF toward a master’s degree in social work in pursuit of plans to become a licensed clinical social worker where she can apply her tremendous passion for the field of mental health and substance abuse counseling. “As student advisor of the Illinois Certification Board, I am thrilled to help in not only ensuring that students are getting the most out of their education/training program but ensuring that the population we serve is getting the best quality treatment. I am so excited to have been provided this opportunity and I look forward to what the next year will bring,” Gomez said. Jessica Hayes, ICB Executive Director, offered that Gomez presents many positives in her new role with the organization. “It is with great pleasure the ICB announces the addition of Monika Gomez to the Board of Directors. Ms. Gomez was seated, by unanimous vote, as the Student Advisor for this term. Passion and energy are the words that come to mind within the first few minutes of interacting with Ms. Gomez. A breath of fresh air, coupled with a sound knowledge base, Ms. Gomez will serve as a voice for students in the ICB Accredited Training Programs,” said Hayes. Lawrence (Larry) Dunbar, USF Substance Abuse Counseling Program coordinator and instructor, believes Gomez’s preparation and passion will have wide-reaching impact. “I am so excited for Monika and very proud of all she has accomplished in her coursework and in her internships. I am confident that she is going to bring her passion and dedication to helping other individuals, and their families, rebuild their lives. She will be a wonderful asset to the ICB Board,” Dunbar said. About the ICB Board of Directors The ICB Board of Directors is responsible for the workings of the ICB, which serves as the certification organization for human service professionals such as substance abuse counselors, prevention specialists and recovery specialists. The ICB Board of Directors also oversees the executive director of ICB, maintains the organization’s code of ethics, develops new certifications, and ensures that certification exams are up-to-date, reliable and defensible. Visit iaodapca.org for more information. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #

Tag: Substance Abuse Counseling Program

USF Students Attend 2023 Illinois Certification Board Spring Conference

USF Student Elected to the ICB Board of Directors

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