2016 Employment First Summit  Trailblazing:  Charting Our Employment Path

Certified Employment Support Specialist: How to join the rapidly growing community of CESP™ Credential-holders
Cassy Davis, CESP™ Manager- APSE National

Do you have new or creative ideas regarding enhancing and expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities? Do you sometimes feel isolated and like no one else struggles the way you do in helping a job-seeker find or maintain employment? Do you have a desire to speak a common language regarding employment with colleagues from around the country? Do you want to be taken seriously as a professional in your field? Do you have the following? • A high school diploma (or more) plus • One year of experience (or more) as an Employment Support Professional, or • 9 months of experience with a training component If so, you may be eligible to take the first step toward obtaining the Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) credential! This workshop will cover: • Process for obtaining the certification • Difference between earning a certificate and a credential • Benefits of gaining the CESP™ Credential • Long-term vision for the CESP™

Cassy Davis, CESP™ Manager- APSE National Cassy began her career in the field of customized employment as a community support specialist with Community Involvement Programs in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Cassy became involved with Griffin-Hammis Associates’ Discovering Personal Genius work and was given the opportunity to share this knowledge at various trainings and conferences. In 2013, Cassy was the recipient of APSE’s Wendy Wood Award for Emerging Leaders. In 2014, she accepted a position as Director of Customized Employment and Community Supports with Ardmore Enterprises in Bowie, MD where she facilitated a sheltered workshop closure project. Cassy was also responsible for relaunching the Maryland State APSE Chapter, where she served as president until her return to Minneapolis in 2015. In January 2016, Cassy joined the APSE National team where she currently serves as the CESP™ Manager.Beth Clavenna-Deane is a state trainer with the Kansas MTSS Project.