The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP Board) is a 13-member board, of which 12 members are appointed by the Governor. The 13th member is a designee from ODADAS who will serve as an ex-officio member. Members consist of four individuals eligible for the LICDC, two individuals eligible for the LCDC III, one individual eligible for the LCDC II, two individuals certified in prevention as an OCPS I or II, one doctor authorized to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery and has experience practicing in a field related to chemical dependency counseling, and two members of the general public.

Board members serve three-year terms and cannot be reappointed after two consecutive full terms. Board responsibilities include: regulating the licensure and certification process, issuing and renewing licenses and certificates, investigating ethical complaints, approving educational coursework, and acting as a catalyst for positive change in the field.

Each year, four seats on the OCDP Board are open for appointment or re-appointment. Individuals interested in becoming a member of the OCDP Board can submit an application to the Governor's Office ATTN: Boards & Commissions.

• BOARD MEMBER APPLICATION

Current members are:

Kenneth L. Brown (Term Expiration: 12/23/10)
Kenneth Brown is currently Director of the Clark County Municipal Court Probation Department. He has worked in the field of community-based corrections both in the adult and juvenile systems for the past 24 years. Kenneth holds a Bachelor Degree from Wright State University and a Masters Degree from the University of Dayton. He is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor and Licensed Social Worker.

Deborah Chambers (ODADAS Ex-Officio Member)
Ms. Chambers serves as the ODADAS ex-officio member.

Craig Comedy, Treasurer (Term Expiration: 12/23/12)

John Ellis, Vice Chair, Education Committee Chair (Term Expiration: 12/23/10)
Mr. Ellis is currently the Director of Program Services at the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board of Lorain County. He is also adjunct faculty at Cleveland State University College of Social Work, and a part time private practitioner. He is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor and Licensed Independent Social Worker who has been working in the Chemical Dependency field in various direct services and administrative capacities since 1986.

Dianne G. Fidelibus, Chair (Term Expiration: 12/23/12)
Ms. Fidelibus is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. Ms. Fidelibus began working in the field of chemical dependency counseling in 1979. She is currently a full time faculty member in the Mental Health/ Chemical Dependency/Mental Retardation Program at Columbus State Community College.

Mary Haag, Secretary (Term Expiration 12/23/10)
Mary Haag is currently Director of Coalition Strategies for the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati. Mary is licensed as a registered nurse, since 1975, and received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, with an emphasis in Business Management, in 1986. She holds an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist I certification and has been working in the field of substance abuse prevention since 1995. Mary currently serves as President of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio and Vice President of the Greater Cincinnati Nutrition Council boards.

Jurldine Hicks (Term Expiration 12/23/11)
Jurldine Hicks is a Social Worker and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II currently employed at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillion, Ohio. She provides treatment interventions for the chemically dependent population on the Chemical Dependency Intervention Unit (CDIU) Her hobbies consist of reading, exercising and decorating. She seeks to inspire those who continue to suffer from the devastating effects and impact that the disease of chemical dependency has on the quality of life.

Dr. Edna Jones (Term Expiration 12/23/11)

Ashley Kopaniasz (Term Expiration 12/23/11)
Mrs. Ashley Kopaniasz is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III and Licensed Professional Counselor. Mrs. Kopaniasz received her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern State University and a Master of Arts from The University of Toledo. Ashley currently works in a community mental health facility's dual diagnosis program. She has also worked with psychiatric inpatient and school based therapy populations.

Judith L. Smithchild, Ethics Committee Chair (Term Expiration 12/23/10)
Judith Smithchild is currently the Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor at L & P Services, a private-for-profit behavioral health care agency in Marietta, Ohio. Ms. Smithchild has worked in the field of chemical dependency, mental health, domestic violence, and both adult and juvenile criminal justice systems for the past 23 years. She has experience with in-patient, out-patient, residential and community-based settings as a psychotherapist and a clinical supervisor. She holds a Women's Studies Certificate, a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Education from Ohio University. Ms. Smithchild is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, a Licensed Profressional Clinical Counselor- Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor and an ICADC.

Glenn Stanton (Term Expiration 12/23/11)
Mr. Glenn Stanton began his substance abuse career as active duty air force in 1989. He retired from the air force in 2004 and worked at the Veterans Administration. Mr. Stanton currently works for the DOD in substance abuse. He completed his bachelor's degree in 2002 at Wayland Baptist University, TX and currently holds an LCDC III.

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