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Laura Hovey Neubert, South Dakota
2021 National APSE Board of Directors Rocky Mountain Southwest Regional Delegate Candidate
How many years have you been involved in integrated employment/supported employment?
10 years
The area(s) that best represents your current position/experience:
Service Provider or Manager
Describe your history/nature of involvement/interest in integrated employment/supported employment.
As a long-time employment services contractor with the State of South Dakota, I have successfully assisted hundreds of people of diverse ability with the skills, support, and knowledge needed to gain competitive, person-centered employment. I have held the CESP designation since 2015 and am currently certified through 2024. As a very active member of the APSE Recertification Committee for the last 2.5 years, I have assisted cohorts across the country with professional development as CESPs and aided the APSE organization in this role, as well.
How will you be able to contribute to the growth and improvement of APSE as an organization?
I look forward to assisting APSE in its mission through advocacy for advancement and progress at the local and national levels. Additionally, my background in development, non-profit management, and communications may be of assistance to the organization. I am a seasoned manager, fundraiser, grant writer, and marketer. For example, I have assisted in helping to develop a new MENTOR program for the Recertification Committee to assist CESPs in the renewal of their certification.
Discuss how you will represent the needs of the chapters in your region on the national board and work to strengthen APSE’s chapter structure.
As there is no local state chapter of APSE in South Dakota, I am hoping to assist in the development and launch of a new local group here as well as other surrounding states lacking local chapters in the region. Additionally, I am interested in developing plans for recognition of the CESP status in all states as valid for professional authorization and credentials, e.g. Texas Workforce Commission. Additionally, I hope to assist with the recertification process as important to the professional development of current CESPs.
Biography
Laura Hovey Neubert MS, CESP is Principal-Owner and Employment Executive for Pathfinder Employment Services, LLC, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She is a ten-year employment services provider and long-time member of South Dakota RehabACTion. Laura’s agency is contracted by the State of South Dakota to provide services through the Department of Human Services-Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.