SCAPPA is a state-wide association providing prevention professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources to proactively address critical public health concerns including substance use, teen pregnancy, HIV/STIs, and human trafficking.
The mission of The South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates is to promote high standards of quality in prevention by providing workforce development, membership support, certification, public recognition & advocacy for professionals and advocates in order to advance the profession of behavioral health related prevention.
The SCAPPA was created in 1984 but with the name of Alcohol and Drug Primary Prevention Professionals and Advocates. This association was created to establish credentialing processes for Prevention Specialists. At that time, the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (SCCADAS) administered the credentialing processes only for intervention and treatment professionals. In 1987, through the work of the association, a prevention credential was created and then implemented by the state agency along with the other substance abuse professional credentials.
In 1990, the association was dormant for a period of time. In 1992, a group of Prevention Specialists came together to reestablish the association. The group revised the association’s by-laws and changed the association’s name to its current name, the South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates (SCAPPA). A new focus on professional development was added to the mission of the organization.
In January 1996, the SCAPPA assumed the responsibility for certifying prevention professionals and created the SCAPPA Certification Board, now referred to as the Certification Commission. The SCAPPA Certification Commission and committees are responsible for the development and administration of the prevention certification processes. The SCAPPA Board of Directors and its committees continue to focus on providing leadership and advocacy for prevention and its professionals.
South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates
Mailing Address
PO Box 1763
Columbia, SC 29202
Office Location
1927 Thurmond Mall, Suite 101
Columbia, SC 29201