Open for Comment: Updates to OBH's Addiction Counseling Program Rules

Oct. 20, 2020: The Office of Behavioral Health is responsible for establishing the training requirements for individuals pursuing a credential as an addiction counselor in Colorado. This proposed rule update is designed to align OBH's Addiction Counselor Certification Program rules with the changes to addiction counseling requirements from HB 20-1206. This rule proposal is designed to:

• Clarify OBH's role in the credentialing of addiction counselors versus the role of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
• Clearly establish the course work and training requirements needed to be eligible to become an addiction counselor in Colorado.
• Establish who is eligible to provide supervision/consultation hours to individuals seeking an addiction counselor credential.
• Establish OBH standards for an addiction counseling continuing professional competency program.

The Office of Behavioral Health provides an opportunity for interested stakeholders to present feedback prior to the submission of the rules to the State Board of Human Services for review and adoption. Please use this survey to submit feedback to the Office of Behavioral Health. Your feedback will be used to clarify any inconsistencies in the proposed rules and create OBH rules that align with Colorado laws and meet the needs of the people in Colorado. Feedback on these rules will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 10, 2020.

In addition to the feedback link above, OBH will be hosting two stakeholder meetings as a way for OBH staff to personally engage with stakeholder, review the proposed rules, and receive feedback. The stakeholder meetings are scheduled for:

• Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 3:30PM - 5 p.m. (Meeting ID: meet.google.com/fdh-xnzr-ziy Phone Numbers:‪+1 314-666-2624‬ PIN: ‪334 003 667#‬)
• Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 3:30PM - 5 p.m. (Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/94477887524?pwd=dFJ6UFJVK3lFVktoZkcxOFBnYjhidz09 | Meeting ID: 944 7788 7524 | Passcode: 011909 | Call-In: 1-346-248-7799)

To access the proposed rule update document that contains OBH comments explaining key sections of the proposed rule update, please click here.