ABOUT SOAB
Under Pennsylvania law, the SOAB is responsible for conducting assessments of certain convicted sex offenders in order to assist the court in determining whether they meet the legal criteria for classification as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP).
If a sex offender is classified by the court as an SVP, he or she is subject to lifetime registration with the Pennsylvania State Police (with verification on a quarterly basis), lifetime sex offender counseling (with a provider approved by the SOAB), and community notification. The SOAB also conducts assessments for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP). These assessments, which are independent expert opinions, do not address the SVP classification. Rather, they focus on issues related to the risks, treatment, and management needs posed by the individual sex offender being considered for parole.
On February 8, 2004, Act 21 of 2003 went into effect. Under this Act, the juvenile court system is mandated to refer to the SOAB for assessment those persons found to be delinquent for an act of sexual violence, which if committed by an adult would be a violation of 18 Pa. C. S. § 3121, 3124.1, 3125, 3126, and 4302, and who remain in an institution or placement pursuant to their adjudication 90 days prior to their 20th birthday. The purpose of the SOAB assessment is to determine whether the juvenile is in need of involuntary treatment because of his difficulty in controlling his sexually violent behavior.
ABOUT NBCC
National Board for Certified Counselors have met high national standards for education, training, and experience. NBCC follow the code of ethics and demonstrates a high commitment to continued professional development and skills expansion. Being a NBCC also provides opportunities for counselors to contribute to advocacy efforts for the counseling profession.
ABOUT ATSA
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers is an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to making society safer by preventing sexual abuse. ATSA promotes sound research, effective evidence-based practice, informed public policy, and collaborative community strategies that lead to the effective assessment, treatment, and management of individuals who have sexually abused or are at risk to abuse.
ATSA's members include treatment providers, researchers and educators, victims' rights advocates, law enforcement and court officials, and representatives of many other stakeholder groups. The core values that guide ATSA are professional excellence, community safety, collaboration, and advocacy. ATSA promotes the philosophy that empirically based assessment, practice, management, and policies enhance community safety, reduce sexual recidivism, protect victims and vulnerable populations, transform the lives of those caught in the web of sexual violence, and illuminate paths to prevent sexual abuse.
STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS,MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors protects the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work, licensed marriage and family therapy and licensed professional counseling. The Board regulates and controls individuals who call themselves a social worker and individuals who hold themselves out as being licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists and licensed professional counselors.