By Staff Reports
(Hawaii)–Kaua’i County Anti-Drug Coordinator Theresa Koki recently became the island’s first certified prevention specialist (CPS).
Koki and 38 other professionals received their CPS certificates last month from the state Department of Health (DOH), Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, becoming the first group of certified prevention specialists in the state since the program was established in July 2011.
According to Chris Brown with the DOH Certification Office, the reason for creating the professional certification process in Hawai’i was two-fold — to promote the credibility of prevention professionals and to establish a recognized credential of professional competency in anticipation of it becoming a future requirement for those in the prevention field.
“Throughout the years that Theresa has been with the county, she has always demonstrated a high level of commitment to her job,”said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “Obtaining the CPS credential is a validation of her expertise in drug and alcohol prevention, which will help the community in our efforts to reduce alcohol and drug use on Kaua’i.”
Expressing excitement about her newly acquired credential, Koki said, It’s really nice to receive an affirmation of one’s knowledge and skills, and to know that the CPS certificate is accepted throughout the U.S. as well as in a number of other countries as it subscribes to the same standards as the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc (ICRC).
To earn the CPS designation, Koki had to meet certain education and experience criteria. The requirements included 2,000 hours of alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention work with at least 10 hours of direct supervision and 10 hours of practical experience in each of the following areas of prevention that are included in the standards set by ICRC: planning and evaluation; education and skill development; community organization; public policy and environmental change; and professional growth and responsibility. Furthermore, she had to undergo an evaluation by a preceptor on each domain.
Lastly, Koki had to submit three letters of reference as well as agree to abide by the Prevention Code of Ethics, after completing a six-hour ethics course.
Koki has served as the anti-drug coordinator for five years. Included on her list of accomplishments are: wrote and manages over $3.5 million in federal and state grants; coordinated the Kaua’i Community Drug Response Plan 2008 to 2013; developed a curriculum for the Pi’ina Hoku Youth Leadership Program; produced the video Wasted Time is Always Wasted if You’re Wasted All the Time, and organized numerous alcohol and drug prevention events and activities.
Koki is also very active in community affairs. She serves on the Kaua’i Suicide Task Force, Kaua’i Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition, and the Leadership Kaua’i Alumni Network. She is the appointed chair of the Hawai’i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking for Kaua’i and the Kaua’i Chair of the State Advisory Council of the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant.
In addition, Koki leads the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Prevention, Enforcement, Treatment and Community Integration.