CERTIFIED INDIGENOUS WELLNESS AND ADDICTIONS WORKER (CIWAW)
The Certified Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Worker (CIWAW) certification is an entry level certification, for practitioners who are working with addicted individuals and their families.
Certified Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Workers offer culture-based approaches to treatment. They must demonstrate an awareness of a large range of needs pertaining to mental wellness, age, gender, substance(s) of use and abuse, to co-morbidity issues, language and culture, and must be able to provide sensitive responses to these needs. The approach to treatment may involve the use of medications, behavioral therapy (such as individual or group counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy), or a range of culturally-based activities.
The Certified Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Worker credential opens the way to the different levels of certification as a specialist. Those who hold a CIWAW certification can move up toward these higher levels as they progressively acquire the experience, knowledge, skills and professional integrity these credentials require.
Horizontal Laddering
The ICBOC horizontal laddering certification system allows certified Indigenous wellness and addictions workers to switch their certification to that of certified Indigenous addictions prevention workers: the applicant’s existing experience, knowledge, skills, will be transferred and counted towards the new certification. It is, however, mandatory to satisfy all the standards and requirements of this new certification, in particular in terms of education, training and practice, and of the core functions.
Vertical Laddering
The ICBOC vertical laddering certification system also allows certified Indigenous wellness and addictions workers to upgrade this certification to that of a certified Indigenous addictions specialist – level I or to a certified Indigenous addictions prevention specialist – level I: the applicant’s existing experience, knowledge, skills, will be transferred and counted towards the new certification. It is, however, mandatory to satisfy all the standards and requirements of these higher certifications, in particular in terms of the counselling education, training and practice, and of the core functions.
Future Certifications
It is also important to recognize the special competencies required to intervene in the area of tobacco addiction and other behavior/processes. Over time, ICBOC will develop professional certifications suited to workers in these areas.
More information about this certification is available by clicking on the links below, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance or further information.