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​YEAR-END UPDATE, FROM THE DESK OF JOHN GOFF

1/26/2023

 
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John Goff is the Community Services Director, and oversees UCP Oregon's Supported Living Department (also known as UCP Foundations) and Children's Services Department (also known as UCP Building Blocks).
YEAR-END UPDATE, FROM THE DESK OF JOHN GOFF, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR

Hello, UCP Family!

It is always an honor to share the successes and stories of the Community Services (CS) Department, but not without first recognizing the collective energy of all UCP customers, employees, Board members, and partners. When I think of the past year, I am reminded of the familiar phrase that it truly “Takes a Village,” and I must say that I am grateful to have been a part of this one for close to 10 years!

So, what of the year 2022? I wish I had space to list every situation and scenario navigated, but I can say with certainty and admiration that everyone in the department showed up in a very big way to support one another.

In no order of priority, the CS Department:
  • Worked with incredibly flexible customers to evaluate safety concerns while reentering the community as businesses began to open their doors again.
  • Supported customer education and a thoughtful response to the Omicron and variant surges
  • Assisted with scheduling vaccines for customers in the ever-changing variant landscape
  • Supported one another like family following the loss of loved ones
  • Hired, trained and onboarded a ton of positions, including new managers who have all been rocking their various roles and responsibilities
  • Customers went back to work or started new jobs
  • Celebrated many customer successes including one individual who now creates and monitors his own household budget
  • Customers returned to their Special Olympic teams to resume training
  • Worked together to identify department strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities
  • Completed and participated in agency-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings
  • Consistently demonstrated their commitment to CS customers and each other

I am very proud of all the accomplishments and work from the Community Services Department, and I look forward to another great year in 2023 filled with opportunity, continued advocacy, and growth.

ANNOUNCING UCP'S NEW Employment Services Director

1/15/2023

 
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We are pleased to announce that Nicole Vivanco has been promoted to the position of Employment Services Director, which oversees UCP's Supported Employment Department.

Prior to this advancement, Nicole was acting as the Employment Services Manager. Nicole took on the Manager position during a very difficult time in the early months of the pandemic.

Thanks to Nicole’s dedication, the Employment Solutions team is thriving, with customers working across the Portland area. Nicole participated in agency-wide strategic planning and implementation. She also fostered productive collaboration with community partners such as mental health and developmental disabilities agencies, area Brokerages, Vocational Rehabilitation, Oregon Commission for the Blind, families, advocates, Board members, etc.

Nicole brings 9 years of experience in the field of supported employment.

Nicole says, “I am so happy to accept this new role within our department, and I am excited to continue to support our customers, employers, and the employment professionals at UCP to find success and meet their career goals.”

She adds, “I’d like to thank our community partners for their collaboration and support. Seeing a person shine—in a job that is a great match for them and their employer—is the biggest motivator for me. Supported employment is so powerful for everyone involved.”

Thank you, Nicole, for everything you’ve done and continue to do. We are excited to begin this new chapter with you.

CELEBRATING 2022 DSP WEEK

9/11/2022

 
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​Join UCP Oregon in celebrating “Direct Support Professionals” Recognition Week! We’re celebrating all week long (September 11-17, 2022).
 
Currently, UCP employs 93 Direct Support Professionals—also known as DSP’s.
 
UCP’s Direct Support Professionals work one-on-one with our customers. They assist customers wherever needed—at home, on the job, and out in the community—ensuring that our customers have independent and fulfilling lives.
 
So, the next time you see a Direct Support Professional, make sure to tell them how awesome they are!

SHARE YOUR UCP OREGON STORY

3/7/2022

 
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Hello! If you're a customer of UCP, a family member of a UCP customer, or a UCP employee, we'd love to hear from you. We'd also love to share YOUR story with the world.

You can share almost anything:
  • A photo.
  • A story.
  • A tip or hack.
  • Or anything you'd like the rest of the UCP family to know.
SHARE YOUR UCP OREGON STORY

Congrats to the Winners!

12/30/2021

 
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UCP Oregon is excited to announce the winners of the "2021 Employee Recognition Awards!"

These awards were given to employees who provide direct care to our customers, folks who have titles such as Personal Assistant, Support Specialist, Support Coordinator, Personal Coordinator, Assistant Team Leader, Substitute Support Professional, Children's Support Professional, Job Coach, and Employment Specialist.

All direct care staff were eligible to vote for the winners. Each winner received a $100 Visa Gift Card and an award certificate!

If you happen to see one of these employees, please make sure to congratulate them.

PS: there were two winners in every category. We don't have permission to share the names of ALL the winners, so a few folks will not be listed below.

THE 2021 Employee Recognition Award WINNERS

  • SERVICE WITH A SMILE AWARD--For displaying an upbeat attitude and grace under pressure, and being a positive role model for other staff. 
    • Winner: Katie Polanshek
  • ROCK SOLID AWARD--For being dependable, consistent, and steady in day-to-day job performance. 
    • Winner: Brian Miller
  • MISSION EXTRAORDINAIRE AWARD--For exemplifying our mission: to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. 
    • Winners: Rhania Bensafia & Gerry Mechum
  • THE EXTRA-MILE AWARD--For consistently going out of the way to help a co-worker, customer, or your supervisor. 
    • Winners: Amber Hayes & Aimee Mattila
  • AWESOMELY FUN AWARD--For building morale, having a good sense of humor, and making UCP Oregon an awesomely fun place to work in general. 
    • Winners: Thomas Pagh & Wilma Smeeton
  • THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AWARD--For being exceptional at cultivating creative solutions to complex problems. 
    • Winner: Sian Medway
  • STEP UP TO LEAD AWARD--For consistently stepping up to lead without being asked in those times when leadership is needed. 
    • Winners: Jennifer Chait & Bri Larson
  • COMIC RELIEF AWARD--For creating humor in the most challenging situations to lighten the mood–better to laugh than cry! 
    • Winner: Trina Bradford
  • RELATIONSHIP-BUILDER AWARD--For naturally cultivating strong and genuine relationships with customers and employees. 
    • Winner: Magnolia Lyle

LENA'S STORY

12/17/2021

 
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Lena is a “Personal Assistant” in our Supported Living Department, which means that she works one-on-one a customer (Anita), helping Anita live independently in her own home. Recently, we asked our staff to share stories of their everyday work lives, and Lena wrote the following. Thanks, Lena!

​By Lena Ruminski, Personal Assistant
 
Though I have worked for UCP for almost four years, I never knew the kind of joy I could bring someone until this last September when I started working with Anita.
 
While Anita is a woman of few words (unless asked questions), there is one sure way to know that she is enjoying herself: her eyes. The first time I experienced her unique expression of joy was when I introduced her to one of the best things about fall: Starbucks’ seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte.
 
While Anita is a mocha gal herself, I convinced her to try the PSL and upon first sip, she was sold. She looked up at me after her first taste—and her blue eyes were two huge saucers as she exclaimed, “That’s good!”
 
And for the rest of her beverage, after every sip, her wide eyes returned.
 
After we finished up, we started our walk back to her apartment. I started walking fast (and pushing her wheelchair quickly, too) because I was getting chilly. I heard her say “This is fun!” So, I picked up the pace to give her a bit more of a thrill.
 
As I prepared to get her back inside her house, I stopped and turned to her. I saw those wide eyes again as she said, “Can we do that again?!?”

​Needless to say, we have been regulars at the Starbucks every Saturday shift for our weekly PSL fix.


UCP Receives a Grant, and Shares the Love

12/15/2021

 
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It's rainy and cold here in Oregon, but we're excited because we have some great news for you!

UCP Oregon was awarded a grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services, which we're using to highlight and celebrate the hard work of our Direct Support Professionals.

We created a "Share the Love" story project, where our direct support staff could share stories about their work life--the fun stuff, the hard stuff, and even the funny parts. Every person who submitted a story was awarded a $100 Visa gift card.

We received so many fabulous stories. We'll be sharing several of them here (see the link below) and on Facebook over the next few weeks, so make sure to check back in.
 
PS: Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a story!

*DSP's are employees who provide direct support to customers, such as Personal Assistants, Support Specialists, Support Coordinators, Personal Coordinators, Assistant Team Leaders, Substitute Support Professionals, Children’s Support Professionals, Job Coaches, and Employment Specialists.
Read the Stories We've Shared So Far

MEET LARA

10/15/2021

 
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Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!
 
As you might have seen, we recently profiled one of UCP’s customers, Emanuel. Emanuel uses supports from UCP Oregon to work at a Portland-area hospital as a Transportation Aid.
 
So now we’re profiling one of our employees, Lara, who works with Emanuel. Lara is a Job Coach at UCP, and has been working for UCP for three years.
 
Here’s what Lara has to say about working with Emanuel:
 
How long have you been working with Emanuel?
 
“Emanuel and I began working together early in 2021. At that time, our Supported Employment team wasn’t providing in-person supports due to the pandemic, so initially, Emanuel and I communicated primarily through text message. Over time, we developed the plan we have now, which is a combination of remote and in-person support.”

How would you describe Emanuel?

“Emanuel has incredible perseverance; he maintains his job as a front-line worker in the pandemic while also balancing time consuming personal obligations every day. I appreciate that, despite working exhaustingly long hours, Emanuel still has the capacity to be a forward thinker and outline aspirations for his future. Emanuel is an incredibly caring person and a thoughtful communicator.”

Thanks for the info, Lara!

PS: You can learn more about UCP Oregon’s Supported Employment division (“Employment Solutions”) here.

Happy Direct Support Professionals Week

9/15/2021

 
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Did you know that this week is “Direct Support Professionals” Recognition Week?
 
Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s) work directly with our customers, and are the heart and soul of everything we do.
 
Currently, UCP employs around 120 DSP’s in a variety of roles. DSP’s work one-on-one with customers at home, on the job, and out in the community, ensuring that each customer has an independent and fulfilling life.
 
Thank you, DSP’s, for all that you do!

CONGRATS TO OUR 2019 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD WINNERS

8/22/2019

 
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Employee Recognition Awards! Winners received award certificates and gift cards.

PS: we'll hopefully be adding more photos of recipients as we get permission to share them.


  • Service with a Smile Award:  Mia McFadden & Kate Baker
  • Rock Solid Award:  Jarrod Nixon & Erin Garza
  • Mission Extraordinaire Award:  Stephanie Mullen & Joshua Stull
  • The Extra-Mile Award:  Jamal Robert & Marie Fernandez
  • Awesomely Fun Award:  Chelly Perez-Lopez, Michael Hurd & Mary Martin
  • Think Outside the Box Award:  Kelly Castagnola & Mariah Padilla
  • Participation Trophy Award:  Matt Aldapa & Misty Matusch
  • Jedi Master Award:  Sarah Noack & Brian Miller
  • Step Up to Lead Award:  Codi Parmelee & Emma Heyen
  • Relationship-Builder Award:  Mackenzie Snell & Jordan Hornaday
  • Thoughtful Leader Award:  Doug McKenzie & Joseph Smith
  • Comic Relief Award:  John Barrios & Beck Beach
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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220

​Phone: 503-777-4166
​Fax: 503-771-8048
Email Us
Photo used under Creative Commons from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services >
        • Brokerage Videos
    • Supported Employment >
      • For Job-Seekers
      • For Employers
      • Be "Ability Aware"
    • Supported Living
    • Children's Services
    • Family Support
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Applicants
  • CAREERS
    • Why You'll Love UCP
    • Careers FAQ
  • NEWS
  • EVENTS
    • 2022 Toy Giveaway
    • OMSI Play Labs
    • Family Support Workshops
    • Family Support Group
    • 2022 Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Night
    • Family Conference
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • For Readers of Portland Business Journal 2022 >
      • Learn More About UCP Oregon
    • Donate
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint