Autism Action Partnership Earns Certified Autism Center™ Designation

Autism Action Partnership (AAP) (autismaction.org) 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.

For almost 20 years IBCCESS (ibcces.org) 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.

Autism Action Partnership has served the needs of the Nebraska autism community for over a decade. Over that time, the diagnosis and prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder has grown significantly, worldwide and locally. Learn more online at autismaction.org.