Master the APSE CESP Exam: Essential Study Tips and Strategies

The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a Work Incentive that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work for at least 9 months and still receive full disability benefits, regardless of their earnings. The 9 months do not have to be consecutive, but are counted within a rolling 60-month period. Any month in which the earnings exceed a certain amount ($970 in 2022) is considered a month of service for the TWP. After completing the TWP, SSDI recipients enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), during which they may receive benefits for any month their earnings are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level ($1,350 for non-blind individuals and $2,260 for blind individuals in 2022). References: Trial Work Period - The United States Social Security Administration, What You Need to Know About the Trial Work Period, Trial Work Period (TWP) - Ticket to Work - Social Security

 Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method of communication that aims to enhance the individual’s intrinsic motivation to change1. It is based on four principles: expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy2. Motivational interviewing does not involve deferring to the vocational rehabilitation counselor for decision making, as this would undermine the individual’s autonomy and self-determination. Rather, motivational interviewing respects the individual’s perspective and preferences, and helps them explore and resolve their own ambivalence to change3. References:

• Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change, Chapter 1
• Motivational Interviewing in Employment Services, page 4
• APSE CESP Study Guide, page 18, Section 2.2.1

 According to the CESP handbook, one of the core competencies of an employment support professional is to facilitate self-employment and customized employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities1. Self-employment is a form of integrated employment that allows individuals to create their own businesses based on their strengths, preferences, and interests2. Customized employment is a process of individualizing the employment relationship between a job seeker and an employer based on the needs of both3. To facilitate self-employment and customized employment, an employment support professional may need to collaborate with various team members, such as small business development consultants, family members or friends, and other community partners4. However, a representative of the individual’s medical team may not be the most important team member to support his businessventure, as the medical team’s role is more focused on the individual’s health and rehabilitation needs, rather than his vocational goals and aspirations. While the medical team may provide some input on the individual’s abilities and limitations, they may not have the expertise or the authority to assist with the business and marketing plan, the coordination of resources and supports, or the networking, bookkeeping, and transportation aspects of the self-employment venture. Therefore, a representative of the individual’s medical team is the least important team member to support his business venture, compared to the other options. References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5 2: Self-Employment for People with Disabilities 3: Customized Employment 4: Self-Employment Toolkit

A vocational profile is a tool that helps identify the job seeker’s interests, skills, abilities, preferences, and support needs for employment. A vocational profile should include information that is relevant, accurate, and individualized to the job seeker. The information should be gathered from multiple sources, such as interviews, observations, assessments, and records. The information should also reflect the job seeker’s voice and choice, and respect their right to self-determination and empowerment. Therefore, the LEAST appropriate piece of information to include in a vocational profile is the parent’s desire for the job seeker to work in a warehouse, as this may not align with the job seeker’s own goals, preferences, or abilities. The parent’s desire may also limit the job seeker’s options and opportunities for competitive, integrated employment. The other options are more appropriate to include in a vocational profile, as they provide useful information about the job seeker’s work environment preferences, reading ability, and success conditions. References: CESP Examination Content Outline, Certified Employment Support Professional

 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 CESP Candidate Handbook1, Domain 2 of the CESP certification covers Individualized Employment and Career Planning, which includes the following tasks:

• 2.1 Conduct person-centered career planning and discovery activities to identify the job seeker’s skills, interests, preferences, and support needs.
• 2.2 Assist the job seeker to develop an individualized employment plan that reflects his or her employment goals and support strategies.
• 2.3 Assist the job seeker to explore and access education and training opportunities related to his or her employment goals.

The best initial step for an employment support professional to help a job seeker who is interested in doing auto body work, but does not know much about it, is to help him visit with the auto body garage to better understand the work. This would be an example of a person-centered career planning and discovery activity, which would help the job seeker to identify his or her skills, interests, preferences, and support needs related to auto body work. It would also provide the job seeker with an opportunity to learn more about the work environment, the tasks and responsibilities, the qualifications and requirements, and the potential earnings and benefits of auto body work. This information would help the job seeker to decide if auto body work is a suitable and realistic employment goal, and to develop an individualized employment plan accordingly.

The other options are not the best initial steps, because they either assume that the job seeker has already decided on auto body work as an employment goal, or they do not provide enough information or exploration for the job seeker to make an informed decision. Helping the job seeker research the career’s potential earnings (option A) is important, but it is not enough to determine if the job seeker is interested in andcapable of doing auto body work. Helping the job seeker fill out an application at a local auto body garage (option B) is premature, because the job seeker may not meet the qualifications or requirements, or may not enjoy the work once hired. Helping the job seeker enroll in the auto body course at the local community college (option C) is also premature, because the job seeker may not have the necessary prerequisites, or may not find the course relevant or useful for his or her employment goals.

References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 10.

A situational assessment is a process of observing and evaluating a person’s skills, interests, and abilities in a real work setting1. The purpose of a situational assessment is to identify the person’s strengths, preferences, and support needs for employment2. Based on the information given, the best option for scheduling a situational assessment for the 24-year-old woman is a local recreational center that runs an after-school art program for young children. This option matches her interest in children and art, and provides an opportunity to demonstrate her creativity and interpersonal skills. The other options are less suitable because they either do not align with her interests, do not offer a variety of tasks, or do not provide a natural work environment. References: 1: Focus On: Six strategic steps for situational assessment3 2: CESP study guide2 3: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/F/2015/focus-on-situational-assessment.pdf?la=en

 A fading plan is a strategy that the employment support professional (ESP) uses to gradually reduce the amount and frequency of support that they provide to the job-seeker, while increasing the use of natural supports from the employer and co-workers12. The goal of a fading plan is to help the job-seeker work independently and integrate socially in the workplace, without relying on the ESP for assistance3. A fadingplan should be individualized, flexible, and based on the job-seeker’s needs and preferences4.

The other options are not the best choices for supporting the job-seeker to work independently. A benefits plan is a document that outlines the impact of employment income on the job-seeker’s public benefits, such as Social Security or Medicaid5. While a benefits plan can help the job-seeker make informed decisions about working, it does not directly address the issue of reducing the ESP’s support. A risk assessment is a process of identifying and evaluating the potential hazards and threats that the job-seeker may face in the workplace, such as health and safety risks, discrimination, or harassment6. While a risk assessment can help the ESP and the employer mitigate or prevent these risks, it does not directly address the issue of increasing the job-seeker’s independence. A job skills assessment is a tool that measures the job-seeker’s abilities, interests, and aptitudes for different types of work7. While a job skills assessment canhelp the ESP and the job-seeker find a suitable job match, it does not directly address the issue of decreasing the ESP’s intervention.

References: 1: Fading and Support Strategies for Employment Success 2: Natural Supports and Fading Background Information 3: Job Site Fading 4: NATURAL SUPPORTS – FADING PLAN 5: Benefits Planning Services | U.S. Department of Labor 6: Risk Assessment | Health and Safety Authority 7: Job Skills Assessment - CareerOneStop

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for employees in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments1. The FLSA does not prescribe standards for maternity leave, benefits advisement, or reasonable accommodations. These are covered by other laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), respectively234.

References:

• 1: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Overview1
• 2: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Overview2
• 3: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Overview3
• 4: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Overview4

 The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability that meets the definition of the law. According to the ADA, a person with a disability is someone who:

• has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, or caring for oneself
• has a history or record of such an impairment, such as cancer that is in remission, or
• is perceived by others as having such an impairment, such as a person who has scars from a severe burn.

The ADA does not require a person to apply for benefits, work with an employment support professional, or receive Social Security to be covered by the law. These are not criteria for determining disability status under the ADA. Therefore, options A, B, and C are incorrect. References:

• Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts
• Your Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act