certified community action professional program (ccap)

CCAP

Certified Community Action

Professional Program (CCAP)

CCAP

CCAP

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

Teresa Cox, CCAP, 2008

CCAP

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

CCAP

Based on two “pillars”FIRST PILLAR is…

The Community Action Body of Knowledge Outline:

A five section list of the knowledge and skills which community action managers and leaders need in order to function in a position of leadership in their community and agency

CCAP

1. History of the Community Action Movement2. Vision and Values of Community Action3. Traditional Community Action Management

Skills4. 21st Century Leadership (Community Action

vision/values/ethics become real through passionate, positive leadership)

5. Theories about Causes of Poverty and Strategies to address them

Body of Knowledge Outline Areas of Competency

CCAP

SECOND PILLAR is…

The Community Action Code of Ethics:

A standard for professional behavior that guides the decisions a community action leader makes. All candidates sign an agreement to abide by the Code

CCAP

Full Body of Knowledge Outline Community Action Code of Ethics And all related CCAP documents and

instructions are available for download at the Partnership’s website

WWW. CommunityActionPartnership.com

CCAP

• Transmits professional standards for leadership in Community Action.

• Validates the achievements of community action managers and leaders as it provides them visibility and recognition.

• Improves opportunities for professional advancement.

• Strengthens commitment to a common mission, especially when there are a number of CCAPs on the leadership team.

• Process of becoming a CCAP often transmits basic values, knowledge and essential skills to a new generation of community action managers and leaders.

Why become a CCAP?

CCAP

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---

CCAP

– 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

CCAP

Then CCAP may be right for you!

CCAP

What are the steps? It is based on a point system with a maximum

of three years to accumulate points1. 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.

CCAP

CDF CATEGORIES

1. Employment.

2. Education and Training Experiences.

3. Involvement in National, Regional, State and Local Activities.

4. Involvement in Publishing and Training and Association Management Outside Community Action.

CCAP

1. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE

Points

per:

Max Allowed

1.1 Number of years as a management or executive staff in a CAA

15 pts/year 150 pts

1.2 Number of years as a full time management or

executive staff member in an organization

other than a CAA

8 pts/year 50 pts

1.3 Internship placement in CAA Related

organization.

1 pt/mo 18 pts

CDF SAMPLE PAGE

CCAP

– 2. Submit an Executive Skills Portfolio (ESP) A sample of work showing how you have applied the

competencies listed in the Body of Knowledge in your work setting.

Evaluated and scored (earn up to 500 “points.”) Due 3rd Wed. of February each year

•What are the steps? (continued)

CCAP

The Four Essays on the ESP(750 words maximum for each)

ESSAY #1 Traditional Management Skills:

Explain how the work sample shows that you understand and can use traditional management practices in the specific areas of planning, organizing, directing and evaluating.

CCAP

ESSAY #2 “Positive Leadership” skills has 2 parts:

Identify your leadership style…

1. How has that style helped you as a leader in an organization?

2. How has that style limited your role as a leader in an organization? Or: How could that style limit your role as a leader in an organization?

CCAP

ESSAY #3: Explain how the work sample shows that you understand, and have used, the vision and values of community action.

CCAP

ESSAY #4: Demonstrate how your work sample contributes to your agency’s attainment, or enhancement, of one of the Partnership’s “standards of excellence,” or how it has the capacity to contribute to that standard.

(find standards on the Partnership website)

CCAP

– 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%

What are the steps? (continued)

CCAP Will there be help for me if I choose to become

a candidate? YES1. 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.

2. CCAP “study groups” can be formed with assistance from the Partnership Office

3. Series of CCAP Training Webinars

CCAP

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

CCAP

2010 – 2011 TRAINING WEBINARS

1. CDF – Thurs, Dec 16, 2010, 10:00 am EST

2. ESP – Thurs, Jan 6, 2011, 10:00 am EST

3. Exam – Thurs, April 7, 2011, 10:00 am EST

Contact:

WWW.NYSCommunityAction.ORG

CCAP

How Do I Get Started ?

Complete and submit the Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) enrollment form available at the Community Action Partnership Website.

CCAP

Pay certification fee (see Partnership website for options and details)

Three letters of reference Sign the Community Action Code of Ethics

CCAP

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)

CCAP

CCAPs are formally recognized at the Community Action Partnership’s Annual Convention.

Will that be the

time you put CCAP after your name?

Need further assistance? E-mail - CCAPContact@aol.com