Thanks to our friends at the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon for this timely and pertinent info.

WHAT: Public Hearing on Criminal Background EXCLUSIONS – Non-Traditional Healthcare Workers
WHEN: 10 AM July 22, 2013
WHERE: Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon Street, Room 1-E, Portland, Oregon

There will be a public hearing on the proposed new process for certification of Non-Traditional Healthcare Workers, including Addiction Recovery Mentors and Peer Support Specialists through the State of Oregon, including CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Despite the CLAIMS of many that only violent felons (murderers/rapists) are automatically excluded under the A&D rules from working in State-approved mental health and addiction treatment programs, people are excluded all of the time and told they must leave their jobs. Now, this new process could impact many Non-Traditional Healthcare Workers who haven’t been subject to this process in the past.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! GET THE WORD OUT!

We work in a field that offers “redemption” to our clients. We shouldn’t be labeling staff with criminal histories as “un-redeemable” because of some crime they committed long ago.

LET THE STATE KNOW YOU DO NOT SUPPORT THE BCU’s (Background Check Unit) process for excluding people for old crimes, minor crimes, arrests with no convictions, or other exclusionary tactics, etc. Additionally, let them know this exclusionary process has a disproportionate impact on people in recovery from addictions and on ethnic minorities and that it isn’t fair!! Carol Cheney (971-673-2960 carol.i.cheney@state.or.us), Equity Manager for the Oregon Health Authority’s Office of Equity and Inclusion has announced a public hearing on July 22nd, 2013.

DOWNLOAD – Poster informing about harm caused by background checks for Non-Traditional Healthcare Workers

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