The Chattanooga Association for Clinical Pastoral Care (CACPC) was formed and incorporated in 1984 by a coalition of persons interested in the training of those who minister. CACPC received full accreditation in 1988 from the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE). ACPE is the standard-setting, accrediting and certifying agency nationally recognized for this purpose by the U.S. Department of Education. They can be reached at 1549 Clairmont Rd., Suite 103, Decatur, GA 30033-4635; or by phone at 404/320-1472

CACPC is governed by a Board of Directors, including medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, parish ministers, institutional chaplains, social workers and others.  Its mission is to provide clinical training for those who minister.

The Chattanooga Association for Clinical Pastoral Care offers programs of Clinical Pastoral Education through Erlanger Health System and Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation. Alternate training sites are sometimes available, with Erlanger and Siskin Hospitals as the central sites.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES AND ADVANTAGES
CPE with CACPC offers:

• A program structure to meet the needs of theological students, lay ministers and local clergy;
• Clinical training sites that include ministry with persons in the crises of illness, trauma, rehabilitation and aging; Experience with persons from diverse cultural and social backgrounds from the tri-state area of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The rich and varied religious culture of the South and the surrounding mountain areas is a central aspect of the training site;
• Experience with colleagues in ministry from diverse backgrounds. The CPE supervisors each come from differing faith backgrounds;
• A unique program of CPE governed by a board of directors made up of professional persons, who are supportive of pastoral ministry and education;
• Participation in a "teaching hospital" setting that includes medical students, nurses and other allied health professionals.