Autism Action Partnership Has Earned the Certified Autism Center ™ Designation
OMAHA, Neb., September 16, 2019 (Newswire.com) - Autism Action Partnership (AAP) has become a Certified Autism Center™, making it one of only two organizations in the state of Nebraska to attain that designation. The CAC designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
AAP is a public not-for-profit foundation founded by Gail Werner-Robertson and Scott Robertson. The foundation has been working to create and fund programs that fill critical gaps in Nebraska autism services since 2008. Pursuing this level of professional training and certification aligns with the Mission Statement of AAP, “To improve the quality of life of persons on the autism spectrum and their families through education, advocacy and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community.”
AAP’s diverse programming provides critical services to students needing to improve their social skills (Circle of Friends), adults securing permanent employment (PACE), families seeking enrichment opportunities (Making Memories), professionals wanting to promote the safety of those with autism (BE SAFE, Project Lifesaver), and businesses and community venues looking to be more inclusive. The certification process involved concerted professional development to ensure a level of expertise for all staff, in providing the above services. Four AAP employees now carry credentials as Certified Autism Specialists, and one holds an Autism Certificate.
“Autism continues to become more and more prevalent in our society, with 1 in 59 children (CDC 2018) being diagnosed. As such, it is critical for communities to advance their understanding of autism and create more inclusive practices and environments. Locally, AAP has seen an increase in the number of businesses and community members seeking education about autism and guidance on how to become more ‘sensory-friendly’. In response, AAP determined that all staff should maintain an expertise in these matters and that this expertise should be measured and verified by an external authority," said Justin Dougherty, AAP Executive Director. “IBCCES was the obvious choice for both their in-depth training programs and worldwide recognition. We are extremely proud to have earned this certification and are confident that our collective expertise was advanced through this process.”
For almost 20 years IBCCESS has provided training and certification for education, healthcare, travel, law enforcement, and corporate professionals worldwide who aim to provide quality care to those with special needs. IBCCES is the only training and certification program endorsed by Autism Society and focuses on working with industry leaders to ensure professionals who work with individuals on the spectrum are trained and certified in autism and other cognitive disorders.
“The continued growth of our partnerships with public not-for-profits like Autism Action Partnership (AAP) is a positive sign for the communities served by these organizations,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “We are excited AAP has taken the necessary steps to achieve the CAC designation and are proud of the work that they do.”
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About AAP:
AAP's mission is to improve the quality of life of persons on the Autism Spectrum and their families through education, advocacy and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community. Autism Action Partnership (AAP) has served the needs of the Nebraska autism community for over a decade. Over that time, the diagnosis and prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has grown significantly, worldwide and locally. With the growing population has come a greater array of needs for individuals with autism and their families, and, in turn, a greater demand for AAP services. AAP remains dedicated to meetings the needs of the local autism community through three core programming areas: Education, Workforce Development, and Enrichment and Inclusion.
About IBCCES
Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are the only training and certification programs endorsed by the largest grassroots autism organization in the world, The Autism Society of America, and recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Autism Action Partnership
Justin Dougherty, Executive Director
Phone: 402-763-8830, ext.1001
Email: jdougherty@autismaction.org
IBCCES
Meredith Tekin, President
Phone: 904.508.0135 // 904.434.1534
Email: meredith@ibcces.org
Source: IBCCES
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