ABOUT

1976

CPA is founded by a small group of dedicated and progressive thinking Prevention Specialists. 8 initial members

1977-1980

Organizational structure was developed by creating by-laws, a vision statement and a process for electing a board of directors.

1980

Update Newsletter is created to share information and encourage attendance at professional trainings and support members.

1982-1983

CPA Board begins to have regular monthly meetings in State College at Southridge Motor Inn.

1984

CPA adopted its logo and began co-sponsorship of the Wellness Institute with Wyoming Seminary.

1988

First Prevention Orientation Workshop presented at the Spring Office of Drug and Alcohol (ODAP) Conference.

1988-1989

CPA and Prevention Directors task force worked with consultants from PA Addictions Board to develop Prevention Specialist certification.

1989

Grandfathering process results in 233 Certified Prevention Specialists.

1989

CPA, represented on Drug and Alcohol Services Providers of PA (DASPOP) Board becomes more proactive legislatively.

1990

A CPA Field Issues Forum focused on informing the newly formed PA Student Assistance Program (PASAP) about prevention services.

1990

CPA assists PASAP development by providing CPA’s by-laws and organizational structure.

1991

CPA holds its first independent conference in Lancaster, with support from the Governor’s Drug Policy Council. 242 members

1991-2000

CPA membership increases. Annual conference coordinated and regional meetings and trainings are scheduled.

1998

CPA leads the campaign to generate over 8,000 letters to Senators Arlen Spector and Rick Santorum, which resulted in re-instatement of block grant funding.

1999

Harrisburg Legislative testimony regarding the need to reduce the use of tobacco products. Little funding was designated for prevention.

2002

CPA president joins State Initiative Grant (SIG) Advisory Board. CPA Web site is established to promote communication with the field. 271 members

2004

CPA is represented on Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs (BDAP) Prevention Workgroup.

2005

CPA president joins Performance Based Prevention System (PBPS) Workgroup. 265 members

2005-2006

CPA Board creates a Strategic Plan that includes steps to initiate and fund full time staff. CPA Board begins to meet at (smoke free) Hoss’s in State College.

2006

CPA celebrates its 30^th anniversary at the Annual Prevention Conference. CPA president joins Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF SIG) Advisory Board. 235 members

2006-2007

CPA Board explores avenues for creating full time staff positions with the creation of budgets and job descriptions at strategic planning session.

2008

CPA begins development of a legislative initiative to bring the importance of prevention work to State lawmakers. 216 members

2009-2010

CPA begins the process of updating and revamping the CPA website. 175 members

2009

Revised Board of Directors to include State-wide Representatives as well as Regional Representatives.

2010

A legislative advocacy breakfast was held at our state Capitol. 192 members

2013

CPA Annual Conference enters the social media age with plenary sessions livestreamed and questions were tweeted. 153 members

2014

CPA membership vote to change bylaws to include "preventing risk-related behaviors". CPA awarded a PCCD SAEDR grant to develop consistent statewide prevention messages regarding opiate abuse

2016

CPA Celebrated our 40th Birthday with a dinner at our annual conference.  Our conference was the largest in our 26 years of offering a conference.