Congratulations to the first CESP's!
APSE has established the Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC) to oversee the first national certification program for employment support professionals. Now job coaches, job developers, transition employment specialists, job placement personnel, and employment specialists/consultants* can earn the designation of Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) by passing the national CESP examination. Benefits of Certification
CESP certification provides national guidelines to validate and support the training currently provided by university, community colleges, and other technical training centers across the country. CESP certification also enables portability across all states and regions.
For employment support professionals: CESP certification shows colleagues, supervisors and the individuals that you serve that you completed a rigorous process to earn your national professional credential.
CESP certification opens the door to:
*Improved professional advancement & job opportunities;
*Increased income opportunities.
*Enhanced credibility with employers
For provider agencies and Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs): Sponsoring staff to earn their CESP credentials, or hiring CESP-certified professionals, increases your credibility with community business leaders and opens the door to new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Supporting CESP certification for your staff:
*Increases your marketing edge with employers & businesses
*Assures the public and consumers of your commitment to best practices
*Validates your commitment to ethical and safety standards
National certification is earned by passing a comprehensive examination based on national standardized competencies and administered by an independent professional organization. To maintain certification professionals are required to earn continuing education (CE) credits over time. The Certified Employment Services Professional (CESP) is being developed in compliance with the guidelines of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
Thanks to our State & Organizational Sponsors: Arkansas, Indiana, Minnesota,& Wisconsin awarded funds to establish the national certification from their Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIG). On December 2, 2011 New Hampshire became the first state to sponsor the CESP exam, and subsequently award the first CESP credentials in the nation.
CESP Testimonial
"The Certified Employment Supports Professional (CESP) credentials represents to the supported employees and families, the business community and the community rehab program, you work for, that you are prepared to provide state of the art supported employment services that meet the needs of all the stakeholders. Further more, you understand all the aspects of service delivery, are person-centered and are prepared to help the persons we serve have careers and not just a job. I am proud to say that I am a APSE CESP!" Vic Gable, CESP, Employment Service Coordinator at Employment Services of Wood Lane
* (The CESP examination was developed for professionals who provide employment services to individuals with a variety of disabilities including intellectual, mental health, autism spectrum disorders and multiple physical & sensory disabilities)
For more information or to sponsor an exam session in your state please contact:
Patricia K. Keul, Director, Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC)
pat@APSE.org or 704-534-1943 or
Laura A. Owens, Ph.D, Executive Director, APSE
lowens@APSE.org or 301-279-0060
