Pass the APSE Employment Support Professional CESP Questions and answers with CertsForce

 The least effective photo setting to use in promoting employment services to employers is chatting with her roommates in her group home. This option does not demonstrate the woman’s skills, abilities, or contributions to the workforce. It also reinforces the stereotype that people with disabilities are dependent, isolated, or segregated from the community. This option does not align with the core values and principles of employment support, such as inclusion, empowerment, and dignity.

The other options are more effective than option B, for the following reasons:

Option A: Having lunch with co-workers in a company cafeteria shows that the woman is integrated, accepted, and valued by her peers. It also suggests that she has good social skills, communication skills, and teamwork skills. This option supports the core values and principles of employment support, such as inclusion, natural supports, and respect.

Option C: Standing with an attractive, alert expression on her face shows that the woman is confident, professional, and enthusiastic. It also creates a positive impression of her personality, attitude, and appearance. This option supports the core values and principles of employment support, such as empowerment, self-determination, and dignity.

Option D: Working in a corporate office shows that the woman is capable, productive, and qualified. It also indicates that she has relevant skills, knowledge, and experience for the job. This option supports the core values and principles of employment support, such as individualization, career development, and quality outcomes.

References:

APSE CESP Practice Exam

APSE CESP Exam Content Outline

APSE CESP Study Guide

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. An undue hardship is defined as a significant difficulty or expense in relation to the employer’s size, financial resources, and the nature of its operations. Therefore, when advocating for supports and accommodations for someone with a disability, it is most important to consider that the employer must provide accommodations regardless of the cost unless the employer can prove that the accommodation would create an undue hardship. The other options are incorrect because:

B. The accommodations may be used by other employees as well, as long as they do not interfere with the performance of the employee with a disability or create a safety hazard.

C. The accommodations are not the decision of one person, but rather the result of an interactive process between the employer and the employee with a disability, and possibly a third party such as a vocational rehabilitation counselor or an employment support professional.

D. The accommodations are not limited to physical accommodations, but may also include changes to the work environment, work schedule, work tasks, work equipment, work policies, or work procedures, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. References:

Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace

Disability and Health Inclusion Strategies

 According to the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN), 59 percent of accommodations for employees with disabilities cost nothing, while the rest of the accommodations had a typical cost of only $5001. This means that most workplace accommodations for people with a psychiatric disability are either free or very low-cost for the employer. Some examples of such accommodations are flexible scheduling, modified training and supervision, and leave for treatment or recovery234. These accommodations can benefit both the employee and the employer by enhancing productivity, reducing absenteeism, and improving retention24. References:

Accommodations for Employees with Mental Health Conditions

Workplace Accommodations for People with Mental Illness: A Scoping Review

Reasonable accommodations for disabilities - Employer.gov

Workplace Mental Health - Reasonable Job Accommodations

A CBWA is an assessment conducted in a community employment setting with the purpose of helping the customer learn about his or her abilities and to determine if competitive integrated employment is an appropriate vocational goal1. A CBWA is not a job placement service, and the customer should not accept or decline a job offer without completing the assessment and discussing the results with all stakeholders, such as the RS counselor, the CDC or contractor, the employer, and the family or support network2. Completing the CBWA and discussing the job opportunity with allstakeholders will allow the customer to make an informed decision based on her interests, skills, preferences, and support needs. It will also ensure that the job offer is consistent with the customer’s vocational goal and that the employer is willing to provide reasonable accommodations and ongoing support if needed3.

The other options are not correct because:

A. Inquiring if the other CBWA sites would hire her so that she would have options from which to choose may be premature and unnecessary. The customer should first complete the CBWA and evaluate the job offer based on her assessment results and vocational goal. Having more options may not necessarily benefit the customer if they are not aligned with her abilities and interests4.

B. Declining the job offer immediately may be a missed opportunity for the customer. The customer should not reject a job offer without completing the CBWA and discussing the pros and cons of the job with all stakeholders. The job offer may be a good match for the customer’s abilities and interests, and the employer may be willing to provide reasonable accommodations and ongoing support if needed3.

C. Accepting the job offer immediately may be a hasty decision for the customer. The customer should not accept a job offer without completing the CBWA and discussing the implications of the job with all stakeholders. The job offer may not be a good fit for the customer’s abilities and interests, and the employer may not be able to provide reasonable accommodations and ongoing support if needed3. References:

2: Community-Based Work Assessment (CBWA) Procedures

1: Berks County Community-Based Work Assessments - Threshold Rehabilitation Services

3: Community Based Work Assessments Definition | Law Insider

4: Community-Based Work Assessment / Experience | steps2work.ca

The work hours are the least likely factor to be causing his current difficulties at work, because he has been working the same hours for two years without any problems. The other factors (A, C, and D) are more likely to affect his performance and alertness, as they can change over time or have an impact on his mental and physical well-being. For example, his medication may have side effects, his sleeping pattern/schedule may be disrupted, or his general health/mental illness may worsen or fluctuate. These factors may require adjustments or accommodations to help him succeed at work. References:

APSE CESP Practice Exam, Question 1

CESP Exam Content Outline, Domain 4, Task 4.2

CESP Handbook, page 12

According to the CESP handbook, one of the core competencies of an employment support professional is to facilitate natural supports in the workplace1. Natural supports are the relationships and assistance that occur among co-workers and supervisors in a typical work environment2. They can help the employee with ADHD to integrate into the work culture, learn new skills, and receive feedback and encouragement3. Working with the employee at all times to keep him on task is the least important structured activity because it may undermine his autonomy, self-confidence, and motivation. It may also create a dependency on the employment support professional and prevent the development of natural supports. A better approach would be to help the employee find strategies to cope with his ADHD symptoms, such as minimizing distractions, breaking down tasks, using reminders, and taking breaks4. Movinghim to a less busy time of the day, developing a routine of tasks, and having the co-workers be his natural supports are all more important structured activities than working with him at all times. References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5 2: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 18 3: Natural Supports in the Workplace 4: ADHD in the Workplace

The best next step for the employment support professional is to research local trade organizations and trade schools. This is because working as a plumber usually requires some level of training, certification, or apprenticeship, depending on the state and local regulations1. Trade organizations and trade schools can provide information on the requirements, opportunities, and resources for pursuing a career in plumbing. They can also help connect the job seeker with potential employers, mentors, or peers in the field2. Researching these options can help the employment support professional and the job seeker plan a realistic and individualized career path that matches the job seeker’s interests, goals, and abilities.

References:

1: How to Become a Plumber1

2: Plumbing Trade Organizations2

Zero exclusion is one of the principles of Employment First, which means that all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the level or type of disability, are presumed to be capable of working in competitive integrated employment (CIE) with appropriate services and supports. This principle rejects the notion that some people are “too disabled” to work or need to meet certain criteria before they can access employment services. Instead, it affirms the right and opportunity of every person with a disability to pursue their employment goals and aspirations. References: APSE: Employment First Definition and Principles, Employment First | U.S. Department of Labor

The best practice in assisting a person to find a job of choice is to use a “discovery” process that includes situational assessments based on the individual’s identified interests. This is because this process allows the job coach to learn about the person’s strengths, preferences, skills, and support needs in various settings and situations, rather than relying on formal records or standardized tests that may not capture the person’s true potential or motivation1. The discovery process also involves the person and their family, friends, and other natural supports in identifying their employment goals and developing a career plan2.

References:

1: Discovery: A Guide for Employment Support Professionals1

2: The Discovery Process: An Introduction2

Non-paid work experiences (NPWE) are opportunities for students and job-seekers with disabilities to gain exposure to different work settings and tasks, without receiving wages from the employer1. The purpose of NPWE is to provide vocational exploration, assessment, and training, and to facilitate the transition to competitive, integrated employment2. Therefore, NPWE must follow certain guidelines and regulations to ensure that they are not exploitative, discriminatory, or detrimental to the participants or the labor market3.

One of the key guidelines for NPWE is that they must not displace regular employees or impair existing contracts for services4. This means that the NPWE participants must not perform work that would otherwise be done by paid workers, or that would reduce the hours or wages of paid workers5. The NPWE participants must also not be used to fill in for absent employees, or to meet the employer’s labor needs during peak periods. The NPWE must be primarily for the benefit of the participant, not the employer.

In this case, option B is the most likely to be in violation of the guidelines for NPWE, as Susan is performing tasks that are normally done by the beauticians, such as cleaningand folding towels, sweeping the floors, and other odd jobs. Her work helps the beauticians, who are paid workers, and may reduce their workload or hours. This situation may also imply that Susan is not receiving adequate instruction, supervision, or support from the school or the employer, as she is not engaged in any meaningful or relevant work activities that match her vocational interests or goals. Therefore, option B is not a valid NPWE, but a form of exploitation or displacement of regular employees. References: 1: VA Non-Paid Work Experience Factsheet, page 1 2: Certified Employment Support Professional Candidate Handbook, page 5 3: CESP Examination Content Outline, Domain 2, 2Q 4: CESP Examination Content Outline, Domain 1, 1K 5: CESP study guide Flashcards, question 9 : CESP study guide Flashcards, question 10 : CESP study guide Flashcards, question 11