CDCORP
Certified Disaster Crisis Outreach & Referral Professional

The Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) and the PA Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) have been working cooperatively over the past several months on the formation of a credentialing process for DCORT members.

We are pleased to announce that starting January 1, 2012, PCB will begin the process of credentialing DCORT members who have met all of the requirements as set forth by OMHSAS.

The credential will be known as CDCORP (Certified Disaster Crisis Outreach and Referral Professional).  The specific requirements that must be met to qualify for the credential are listed below.

Once you have met all of the requirements as outlined, you can apply to PCB for the credential. The credential will have a five-year expiration date.

Prior to the expiration date, you will have to complete a recertification process in order to maintain your CDCORP credential. The recertification process is also outlined in the application.

You have one year (starting January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012) to meet the requirements and apply for the CDCORP credential.

Upon being awarded the CDCORP credential, you will be issued a certificate suitable for framing along with a photo identification badge which must be worn by you anytime you are deployed to a crisis situation.

Please review carefully the entire CDCORP application so that you are thoroughly familiar with the requirements and the application process. PCB will be happy to assist you with this process by simply calling or emailing our office. Contact information is contained in the application

CDCORP APPLICATION

Certification is a form of credentialing a voluntary regulation of a profession. It is the process by which a non-government organization grants recognition to persons who have met certain standards defined by that organization. Certification is designed to promote and maintain integrity and quality.

The PCB certification was developed by and for substance abuse and other behavioral health professionals. Pennsylvania has established the following process by which a professional is measured and tested. It is a peer review system which assesses and evaluates specific knowledge and skill areas as well as the competencies of those providing substance abuse and other behavioral health services to the client and significant others. In return for meeting and fulfilling certification requirements, the certified professional obtains a tool for marketing his/her skills and competencies.

Purposes of Certification

• For the Patient/Client

To assure competent professional services to the client; to improve quality of service being provided to the client and family members.

• For the Public

To assure professional competency which will meet standards required for licensing, accreditation, and third-party payers.

• For the Certified Professional

To provide a respected, marketable credential of professional competency; to enhance the role of the professional.

• For the Profession

To provide a method whereby the highest professional standards can be established, maintained and updated.

Why Become Certified?

• Certification marks the professionals who are specialists in the field.
• Certified professionals are recognized in s tate and national insurance legislation, Federal Department of Transportation regulations, PA Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements and the PA Department of Health staffing requirements.
• Opportunity for peer networking, involvement and impact through PCB sponsored education conferences and committee work.
• Certification increases professionalism of the field.
• Employers use the credential as a basis for hiring and advancement.
• Many employers are requesting or requiring certification upon employment.
• Receive the PCB Newsletter, an informative bi-annual publication available only to those professionals certified by PCB.
• Recourse for the client who may have been treated incompetently or unethically by a certified professional.