January 2012

The Pennsylvania Certification Board is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for a deserving prevention specialist.  The Maggie Marcopul Prevention Specialist Scholarship was established in 2009 by PCB in loving memory of our 19-year board member, Maggie Marcopul, who passed away in 2008.  Maggie’s impact on the credentialing process in Pennsylvania and her dedication and commitment to the field of prevention was worthy and deserving of a lasting honor in her memory.  PCB feels that this scholarship opportunity is a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable leader in the prevention field.

The first recipient of the Maggie Marcopul Prevention Specialist Scholarship was awarded to Sherry Clouser in 2009.  Sherry will now become a mentor to the second recipient when PCB awards the scholarship to another deserving prevention specialist this year.

We invite you now to nominate a prevention specialist that would be deserving of this special scholarship opportunity.  The details of the scholarship are as follows:

Who is eligible to submit a nomination:  Employers and professionals in the field may nominate.  Self-nominations are also acceptable.  The person nominated must be working as a prevention specialist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not yet hold the CPS credential.  One full scholarship is awarded every three years.

How to submit a nomination:  Send a statement from the employer supporting the nomination and a letter from the nominee explaining why they are worthy of the scholarship and their commitment to the prevention field.  Send all requested correspondence to PCB, 298 S. Progress Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109.

When to submit a nomination:  Nominations are open now through March 1, 2012. 

How the scholarship recipient is selected:  A small group consisting of one representative each from CPA and PPDA, the BDAP Prevention Director and three members of the PCB Board of Directors will review nominations.  The PCB Board of Directors will select the recipient of the scholarship.

The scholarship, valued at nearly $8000.00, will include the following:

1. All fees associated with becoming a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) including the cost of the credential ($350.00), the cost of a prevention study guide ($90.00), and the fee for the first recertification ($150.00).

2.  Membership in Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA) (three years @ $35.00 per year = $105). 

3.  Prevention specific training/education to include attendance at the annual CPA conference ($225 registration fee, $350 three nights lodging, $75 per day for meals, and mileage reimbursement).  CPA conference attendance will be permitted each of the three years.  

4. Attendance at the PCB Annual Conference ($150 registration fee, $225 two nights lodging, $75 per day for meals, and mileage reimbursement). PCB conference attendance will be permitted each of the three years.

5. Prevention specific training/education to include the National Prevention Network (NPN) conference registration fee, lodging, meals, airfare and associated costs (estimated cost to total $3000).  NPN conference attendance will be permitted in year three only. 

6. The scholarship will require that the recipient complete the credentialing process by the end of the third year and require that the recipient become a mentor for the next scholarship recipient.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to nominate a prevention specialist.  The scholarship recipient and his/her employer will be notified in mid-March.

If you have any questions regarding the Maggie Marcopul Prevention Specialist Scholarship, please contact me directly at the PCB Office at 717-540-4455, extension 103 or by email at mjmather@pacertboard.org.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Mather

Mary Jo Mather
Executive Director

PCB is a private, non-profit corporation that establishes, safeguards, and monitors certification standards for professionals in the substance abuse and other behavioral health fields.  It advocates for quality, comprehensive substance abuse and other behavioral health services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and on an international level.