Yesterday, UCP's Melissa Miller, Director of UCP's Supported Employment Department, was the keynote speaker at the PHAME One Community Luncheon, an event celebrating inclusive employment for people with developmental disabilities. Congrats, Melissa!

​Leaving high school and finding a job can be hard. Leaving high school and finding a job can be even more difficult if you experience developmental disabilities.
 
That’s why two of UCP’s fantastic Employment Specialists (Ursula Morton and Xochil Springer) recently presented at The Oregon Statewide Transition Conference, which was held was held March 1-2.
  
Ursula and Xochil presented to a packed room, speaking about “Job Development 101.” Their goal was to help teachers learn how to customize employment opportunities for their students; they also shared ideas for collaborating with government entities such as Vocational Rehabilitation.

Learn more about UCP's Supported Employment Services.

Each October, UCP celebrates UCP Employee Appreciation Month.

This year's celebrations have included an Employee Appreciation Breakfast, an Employee Appreciation Pizza Party, and--circa last night--a UCP Employee Appreciation Bowling night.

​Check out the Bowling Night video above, made by our intrepid Development Director, Gavin Johnson!

As you may know, October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Oregon. But did you know that one of UCP's Supported Employment customers (Emanuel) was just featured in a new publication from the Oregon Department of Human Services?

Read all about Emanuel and his job here.

​Congrats to everyone involved, including Emanuel, Emanuel's UCP Job Developer (Nicole Vivanco), and Emanuel's employer (OHSU)!

Congratulations to UCP's Melissa Miller, who was just promoted to the brand new position of Employment Services Department Director.
 
Melissa started at UCP in 2003 as a live-in caregiver. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to build our Supported Employment Department ("Employment Solutions") from the ground up. One person and one step at a time.

​Today, Employment Solutions employs more than 24 Job Coaches, Employment Specialists and managers, and supports hundreds of very satisfied customers.

Congratulations on your promotion, Melissa! Thank you for your dedication and tenacity.