Direct Employment Support Professional Impact Initiative
Project Description:
The Direct Employment Support Professional (DESP) Impact Initiative is funded by the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC) and includes collaboration with the AZ Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and the Colorado Office of (COEF). The DESP Impact Initiative builds on a strong, data-driven foundation of the DESP survey and tests practical solutions to enhance the disability employment service landscape in Arizona through professional development. This Initiative focuses on two primary objectives: the Certification Support Fund Pilot and the Development and Launch of Trainings. The first objective creates a Certification Support Fund Pilot to gauge interest and follow through with Certified Employment Support Professional™ (CESP™) training and credentialing through National APSE. This pilot tests whether organizations are willing to support certification if funding is available and will explore what types of assistance DESPs may need during the certification process. The fund will be developed to reimburse application and exam fees, with a goal to support 5-10 professionals with this process. The second objective develops additional resources for the training and education of disability employment professionals in Arizona. The Sonoran Center will develop and pilot three (3) on-demand onboarding trainings to support new and emerging employment professionals in Arizona. These training modules will focus on the three most requested topics identified by Arizona DESPs: system navigation, disability employment policies, and providing culturally responsive employment services. Project partners will provide technical assistance in the development and evaluation of the modules. The Sonoran Center will host and facilitate regular engagement activities with all collaborators on this project: Arizona APSE, ADDPC, COEF and other key stakeholders as identified. The Arizona DESP Impact Initiative project is designed to both explore and assess remediation strategies for the gaps and areas of need that were illuminated by the DESP Survey project. This process will lead to stronger and more practical solutions with recommendations and strategies to sustain and scale interventions.
Keyword(s):
None of the above, Employment, Professional Development
Core Function(s):
Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
