Certified Community Action Professional Program CCAP

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CCAP

• Certified Community Action Professional Program
  (CCAP)

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• Overview of CCAP
• In depth look at major steps
• Candidate Data FormExecutive Skills Portfolio
• Examination

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• The only national, peer review based, recognition
  of community action managers and leaders.
• Based on input from over 150 Community Action
  leaders in the field.
• Oversight by the 9 member Certification
  Commission appointed by the Partnership Board
  Chair

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• COMMISSIONERS
• Karen Lueck, CCAP, Nebraska, chair
• Bill Breidinger, CCAP Emeritus, New York
• Lois Carson, CCAP, California
• Janice Daku, CCAP, Maine
• Paul Dole, CCAP, Kentucky
• Charles McCann, CCAP Emeritus, Missouri
• Jerralynn Ness, CCAP, Oregon
• Janice Riley, CCAP, Georgia
• Winston Ross, CCAP, New York

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• Based on two pillars
• The Community Action Body of Knowledge Outline A
  five section list of knowledge and skills which
  community action managers and leaders need to
  function in a position of leadership in their
  community and agency
• The Community Action Code of Ethics A standard
  for professional behavior that guides the
  decisions a community action leader make.

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• Validates the achievements of community action
  managers and leaders
• Provides visibility and recognition
• Transmits basic values, knowledge and essential
  skills to a new generation of community action
  managers and leaders
• Establishes professional standards
• Enhances the Community Action public service
  image
• Improves opportunities for professional
  advancement.

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• Is it for me? If you are
• a current, or emerging, manager or leader in the
  profession of Community Action.
• employed full time in a community action agency,
  a delegate agency, a sub-grantee, a CSBG eligible
  entity, state CSBG office, a state or regional
  CAA Association.
• AND---

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• Committed to the vision and values of Community
  Action
• Committed to maintaining high ethical standards
  of professional conduct.
• Willing to learn more about the history, vision
  and values of Community Action as well as.
• The principles of good management
• The best practices of 21st Century leadership
• The current theories about poverty in America

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• Then CCAP may be right for you!

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• What are the steps?
• It is based on a point system..
• 1. Complete a Candidate Data Form (CDF)
• A detailed record of your experience, education
  and involvement in Community Action.
• Evaluated and scored (earn up to 500 points)
• The longer you have been in Community Action and
  the more active you have been, the better your
  score.
• Due 3rd Wed. of January each year.

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• What are the steps? (continued)

• 2. Submit an Executive Skills Portfolio (ESP)
• A sample of work showing how you have applied the
  vision and values of Community Action in your
  work setting.
• Evaluated and scored (earn up to 500 points.)
• Due 3rd Wed. of February each year

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What are the steps? (continued)

• 3. Pass the national Certification Examination
• After you have received a total of at least 700
  points on your CDF and ESP combined. (within 3
  years )
• Exam given 3rd Wednesday of June each year at
  various sites across the country
• Based on the Community Action Body of Knowledge
  Outline
• Is experience based (NOT memorization based)
• A study guide is sent out each January.
• Passing score of 70

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• Will there be help for me if I choose to become a
  candidate?
• Yes, a CCAP can serve as your mentor who can
• Assist you with your Candidate Data Form.
• Help you prepare your Executive Skills Portfolio
• Provide guidance in preparing for the exam

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• Some helpful reminders
• Candidacy lasts for three years, About half of
  candidates complete it in the first year. Many
  take the full three years to build points.
• The program is designed to provide opportunities
  for persons who have come up through the ranks
  as well as those who are new to Community Action.
• There is help
• All the forms you need are on the Partnership
  website.
• A mentor can be available to work with you.
• There is a study guide for the examination

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How Do I Apply?
Complete and submit the Certified Community
Action Professional (CCAP) application. Available
at the Community Action Partnership Website
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• Pay certification fee (see Partnership website
  for options and details)
• Three letters of references
• Sign the Community Action Code of Ethics

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• Enrollment fee
• 425 (Partnership Member Agency)
• 635 (Non-Member Agency)
• Examination fee 85 (at time of qualification to
  take exam)
• Enrollment plus prepayment of examination fee
  (all at once, i.e. at time of enrollment)
• 495 (Member)
• 725 (Non-Member)

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• Want more details?
• Partnership Annual Convention
• Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
• Thursday Sept 3, 115 245
• Becoming a Successful CCAP Candidate
• Workshop