We certify Oregon's behavioral health workforce through competency-based evaluation of education, experience, and exams.
The Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon — formerly ACCBO.
Why certification
Assurance that behavioral health workers meet minimum standards of competence, are ethically accountable to the public, and maintain contemporary knowledge through continuing education.
How we examine
Autonomous professional psychometric examinations through CES, NAADAC, and the IC&RC — national standards, independently administered.
Board of Directors
Volunteer directors representing counties and practice settings across OregonDebra is Director of Multicultural Consultants, contracted to manage an array of behavioral health service programs within the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Julia is Executive Director of the Miracles Club of Portland, Oregon's only African American Community Recovery Center.
Tony is the Executive Director of The 4th Dimension Recovery Center.
Dr. Brandsma is the SUD Service Manager for GOBHI, a coordinated care organization managing most of eastern Oregon.
Bob has been a board member since April 2015 and is a committed member of the recovery community with 17 plus years of recovery. Bob is a Clinical Director with New Directions NW in Baker City.
Jose is the Director of New Horizons, a bilingual outpatient program in Hermiston, Oregon.
In his role as Vice-President of Clinical Services at Lifeworks NW, Dr. Lewinsohn manages services delivered throughout northwest Oregon. Dr. Lewinsohn also serves on the Board of Directors for Clackamas County NAMI.
A board member since 2005, Tanya has been serving in the field of addictions for over 30 years. Tanya is the Clinical Director of YES House and Milestones Residential Treatment in Corvallis.
Ricardo Verdeguez has years of experience as a leader in Oregon Peer Services. Ricardo developed and delivered Oregon's first Spanish language 40-hour peer training program, and has been its lead trainer for 6 years. Ricardo is currently the program manager of peer & recovery center services at the NW Instituto Latino.
Voted into the board in October 2010, serving as Vice President 2015–2017, Keith is the Clinical Supervisor for the Powerhouse residential addiction treatment program in Umatilla County.
Amy serves as the Director of OWHN.
A board member since October 2009, and elected as President in June 2018, Mark Davis is a Lead Addictions Counselor at Polk County Behavioral Health.
Staff
The team that processes applications and answers your questionsA staff member since 2009, Van graduated with a CPA eligible 5-year Bachelors degree in Accounting from The University of Mississippi. Van is a person in long term recovery from addiction. Van is Oregon's national representative on the Finance Committee of the IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium) and serves on the Board of Directors for the IC&RC.
A board member and staff member since 1988, Eric is the Executive Director Emeritus of MHACBO (ACCBO) and a person in long term recovery from mental health & addiction. Eric currently serves as a policy advisor and legislative liaison for MHACBO. Eric was an adjunct faculty member with the University of Oregon for 20 years and is a faculty mentor with Portland State University. Eric is Director of the MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals, and is a board member/consultant with the NW Instituto Latino de Adicciones, the Miracles Club, Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery, OR-Recovers, and the 4th Dimension Youth Recovery Center.
Stephannie joined MHACBO in 2022 and has worked as an intern counselor, SUD counselor, Clinical Supervisor & Program Director in the addictions field, all since 2016. Stephannie earned her Associates Degree in Mental Health & Human Services in 2017. She works hard to fight the current opioid epidemic as a member of the Need 4 Narcan board where she also provides training and support to our direct community, offering tools and resources to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
Wendy began her career in Behavioral Health in 2014, supporting at-risk youth. In 2016, she transitioned to the Addictions field, specializing in Harm Reduction at a Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) center. Over the years, Wendy has served as an Addiction Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Program Director. She holds an Associate's Degree in Mental Health, Addiction Counseling, and Human Services, earned in 2016.
A staff member since 2023, Madora graduated with a post-baccalaureate in Psychology from Portland State University. Madora volunteered working with the vulnerable population of Portland for 20 years, served as an intern counselor and teacher for children, worked as a medical social worker with geriatric patients, and was a residential treatment home administrator for 5 years.
Karen has been a staff member with MHACBO since 2016. Karen is a person in long term recovery from addiction. Karen has been a licensed nurse, addiction counselor, supervisor and clinical director with various Oregon & Washington addiction treatment programs for the past 35 years. Karen brings a wealth of clinical, administrative, supervisory, medical and legal experience to her position as a Senior Ethics Investigator.
Jose has over 20 years of experience in behavioral health. Mr. Garcia is the Past-President of the NW Instituto Latino, and works as a MHACBO Ethics Investigator and Spanish Language Certification Specialist.
Hubert is a supervisor with Central City Concern and an on-call Ethics Investigator with MHACBO. With over 11 years of experience in behavioral health Mr. Mathews brings diverse experience in both behavioral health and recovery support services.
Lana has extensive experience in mental health and substance use disorder services. Lana provides exam preparation courses for QMHA and QMHPs.