Blog
Read what’s on the minds of APSE staff, members, and colleagues. Have an idea for a blog post? We’d love to hear from you. Write us at info@apse.org.
Angela (Ohio) – NDEAM2021
Meet Angela Pinson, with Buckeye Community Services in Ohio! She’s a Certified Employment Support Professional™ and works directly with people with disabilities. Listen to a podcast with Angela and National APSE’s Kari Tietjen.
Nicholas (Ohio) – NDEAM2021
Meet Nicholas (Ohio)! “I am grateful to be going to work this morning. I enjoy going to work and I am always in uniform.” Nicholas is a receiving clerk, responsible…
APSE Conversations with the National Board: Cindy Burns
Meet the APSE National Board of Directors and their newest members. Cindy Burns joins the podcast from the state of Georgia. Cindy shares her background in this field, how she grew up and how that impacted her career, and highlights the successes of the last several decades. Cindy is the incoming delegate for the Southeast region, serving chapters in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
MN APSE Podcast: If You Believe It You Can Achieve It
Listen in to the MN APSE podcast episode!
Self-advocate Riss Leitzke joins host Chris Davies to talk about their experience overcoming dual-sensory loss and landing a dream job at Wilderness Inquiry. The podcast is interpreted in ASL by Emily Engel.
CESP Certified: Congratulations!
The Certified Employment Support Professional™ (CESP) highlights and supports those who have earned and maintained the credential!
The following lists CESPs who successfully earned or recertified their credential in August-September 2021. View the full CESP Directory online.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Download the APSE Media Kit which includes images and information. What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)? NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions…
APSE Conversations: Brittany Edwards-Sharpe with New Mexico
Brittany Edwards-Sharpe is on the podcast to talk about what training and support have looked like for employment support professionals in the state of New Mexico! Over the last few years, New Mexico has committed to providing training to professionals and Brittany has supported professionals in New Mexico to be trained through the College of Employment Services and go through training and certification to earn their CESP. Listen in to hear more from this conversation, focused on employment and the professionals working in this field.
APSE Conversations: David King and Kate Travis Talking Employment
Meet David King in Ohio and Kate Travis in Connecticut. Both are Certified Employment Support Professionals™ (CESPs), and lead teams focused on employment supports. In this conversation, David and Kate are joined by National APSE’s Kari Tietjen to talk about leading employment teams, what makes quality employment support professionals, and how they use CESP to supplement their staff development.
Denver selected as 2022 National APSE Conference City!
It’s official! APSE will be in Denver, Colorado for the 2022 National APSE Conference. The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization focused exclusively…
MN APSE Podcast: If You Believe It You Can Achieve It
Listen in to the MN APSE podcast episode!
Long-time APSE contributor and one of the pillars of customized employment in the state, Bob Niemiec joins host Chris Davies to talk about the early days of supported employment, the birth of MN APSE and what’s left to be done today.
APSE Conversations: CESP With Nikki Chartier, CO
Meet Nikki Chartier of Pueblo Diversified Industries (PDI) in Pueblo, CO in this podcast episode with Kari Tietjen (National APSE’s Certification Director). Nikki leads an employment team supporting individuals with disabilities to find and keep jobs in the community. In this episode, Nikki and Kari talk about the importance of job fit and the considerations of finding a job. Plus, having employment staff that are knowledgeable and trained are essential to the success of Employment First. Hear about Nikki’s team (all CESP certified!) and how they are trained.
State-Level Organizations: Join Certification Round Tables!
Virtual round tables to be held in October 2021 focused on state competency initiatives. Join in October for up to 4 sessions with other state agencies about how to use certification to promote professionalism and elevate workforce development.
Led by the Certified Employment Support Professional™ (CESP) Development Committee, we hope that by having these collaborative conversations we can continue to move Employment First forward!
Tuesday, October 5th: 12-1:30 EST
Thursday, October 7th: 12-1:30 EST
Tuesday, October 12th: 12-1:30 EST
Tuesday, October 26th: 12-1:30 EST
APSE Conversations: CESP With Emily Harris, OR
Today’s podcast features National APSE’s Kari Tietjen (Certification Director) and Emily Harris, CESP of Oregon. Emily works with WISE to provide training and consultation to help employment for people with disabilities. Learn more at www.gowise.org Emily also shares upcoming events with Oregon APSE, so listen for that! Emily has worked with the Council during the transition from paper-based exams and shares her fond memories of proctoring the CESP. Emily also works to Co-Chair the Recertification Committee and provides updates of what the Committee has done to support mentoring as well as trainers with a Pre-Approval process!
CESP Certified: Congratulations!
The Certified Employment Support Professional™ (CESP) highlights and supports those who have earned and maintained the credential!
The following lists CESPs who successfully earned or recertified their credential in July-August 2021. View the full CESP Directory online.
APSE Conversations: CESP With Renee Cencer, MI
Today’s podcast features National APSE’s Kari Tietjen (Certification Director) and Renee Cencer, CESP of Michigan. Renee shares how she learned about the Certified Employment Support Professional™ credential, and the role it has played in her own professional development. Renee has been a volunteer with CESP and serves as one of the folks available to answer questions about the credential. Join the Q&A Wednesday, learn more about the CESP, ask questions, and feel confident that you know how to earn and keep your credential.