SUMMER OF 2019: Meet the new Family Support Director!

​We are pleased to announce that we have hired a new Family Support Director. (Susan Cushman, who many of you know and love, is retiring from the position of Family Support Director in July, 2019. She’s been in the position since 2006. Learn more about Susan's time at UCP here.)
 
Our new Family Support Director, Katherine, comes to UCP with nearly 20 years of experience working within the intellectual and developmental disabilities service system. She is also a mother, caregiver, and advocate. Learn more about Katherine here.

SERVICES:

NEW DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT
Did your child recently receive a diagnosis of cerebral palsy? Give us a call at 503-777-4166 x332, or email us (below)! ​We'll send you a packet of useful information, including a book all about cerebral palsy. We can also refer you to medical practitioners and vendors.

You'll also get a sense of community and hope. We'll connect you to other families, an equipment exchange, and a chat group.

Support Groups
Our parents' support group is named "Gimme a Break." You'll have the chance to meet other parents, brainstorm, share successes, and get emotional support.
  • WHEN: The second Thursday of every month.
  • WHERE: Our Portland office.
  • CHILDCARE: It's free, but you must RSVP to get it.
  • HABLA ESPAÑOL? Alza tu Voz: Groupo de Apoyo y Recursos es un grupo para padres de hijos con parálisis cerebral o otras discapacidades de parte de UCP Oregon. Todas las juntas seran el segundo jueves de cada mes de la 6:30pm a 8:00pm en las oficinas de Portland.

Fun Outings
Outings are a great chance to hang out with other families who experience CP. Past events have included a summer picnic, a day at the zoo, swimming, skating, etc.

"Respitality"
If you need a break from caregiving for a child who experiences cerebral palsy, our "Respitality" services might be just the thing for you.

You can get a free overnight stay at one of our participating hotels. If you need to take a shorter break, we can provide you with a gift certificate to a restaurant, spa, movie theater, etc.

We can also provide an offset towards the cost of childcare.

Conference
We offer a multi-day conference every two years, designed especially for families who are raising kids with cerebral palsy. You'll get the chance to learn from other parents, other adults and kids who experience disabilities, medical professionals, and disability-related vendors.

​As one attendee wrote, ​“I have learned more about CP within this conference than I have since my son was born.  I can’t WAIT for the next conference!”

Newsletter

    Sign up for the ucp family support email newsletter!

Fierce Love: THE DVD

In 2014, six mothers from UCP Oregon’s Family Support Department sat down at the Well Arts Institute to do something exciting and scary: to share their stories with the idea of creating a play about their experiences. They talked about happiness and hope. They talked about sadness and fears. Over ten weeks, they stitched their words into a play called “Fierce Love: Stories by Mothers of children with CP.”

Who Is Eligible?

  • Any family who is raising a child who experiences cerebral palsy, or a closely-related condition, in Oregon and SW Washington.
  • If you are unsure if you or your family qualify, please feel free to contact our team.

find out more!

Call UCP's new Family Support Director (Katherine Ball) at 503-777-4166 x332, or email her below.
UCP Oregon is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
Email