UCP Oregon
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SPOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST: RSVP NOW FOR UCP OREGON’S 2023 TOY GIVEAWAY!

11/29/2023

 
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Have you registered yet for UCP Oregon’s 2023 Toy Giveaway?
 
This event is open to all families who use UCP Oregon’s Family Support Services.
 
Circa now, almost 50% of the toy pick-up spots are filled, so make sure to RSVP ASAP.

The event will be held on December 21 and 22, 2023 at the UCP Office, from 10am-4pm.

​Learn more about the event here.
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Cancellation of the 2023 UCP Oregon Toy Giveaway

11/20/2023

 
Dear UCP Oregon Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of UCP’s 2023 Family Support Toy Giveaway. Unforeseen challenges have compelled us to make this difficult decision.
​
This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment it will bring to the Family Support community, especially during the holiday season.

We look forward to holding the Toy Giveaway again in December of 2024. In the meantime, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

We are grateful for your understanding and patience.


Sincerely,

Ann Coffey,
Executive Director
UCP Oregon

FROM THE DESK OF ANN: AN UPDATE ON UCP'S 2023 FAMILY SUPPORT CONFERENCE

11/6/2023

 
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From Ann Coffey, UCP Oregon’s Executive Director
 
Last weekend (November 3-4, 2023), UCP Oregon held our 19th Family Support Conference.
 
The conference theme was “Reunited,” and that’s exactly what happened—dozens of people (parents, families, caregivers, professionals, and vendors) gathered together. They learned. They connected. They brainstormed and problem solved. They shared their joys and successes.
 
Katherine Ball, UCP’s Family Support Director, coordinated the entire event. As Katherine shared in the conference program, “Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and let the magic of being ‘Reunited’ happen! This is your chance to visit old friends and make some new, too. You’ll be able to meaningfully discuss the issues we face every day with folks who understand.”
 
Our Keynote Speaker was Lauren Lowery, a trauma-informed life coach. Lauren assists families of children experiencing disabilities and medical issues to “get out of survival mode and start living a life that is better than they imagined.”
 
The conference included two days of workshops, on topics such as:
  • Entitled to What? How Organizations and Communities Benefit from Inclusion
  • Radical Wellness for Caregivers
  • Hiring Staff: How to Find, Hire, and Retain Great Caregivers
  • Ableism
  • Complex Access & Communication: An Approach for Emerging Communicators
  • IEP’s
  • Life Planning
  • And so many other topics!
 
There was a teen/young adult panel; a parent panel; a sibling panel; and moderated sessions for moms and dads.
 
Although it’s said that “many hands make light work,” the following people deserve a huge shout out for their dedication and ongoing effort:
  • Katherine Ball, UCP Oregon’s Family Support Director & the Fearless Leader for this event.
  • The members of the Family Support Task Force.
  • The volunteers, speakers, vendors, families, and attendees.
  • And numerous others who had their hand in the event’s success. There are just too many to list. THANK YOU TO ALL!

that's a wrap... thanks to everyone who helped make the 19th family support conference amazing!

11/4/2023

 
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Wow! We can't believe it's already over!

​A GIGANTIC THANK YOU to everyone who made UCP Oregon’s 19th Family Support conference possible:
  • UCP's Family Support Director, Katherine Ball, who organized the entire event.
  • The hardworking Conference Task Force, for their many months of assistance and expertise.
  • The speakers and moderators.
  • The event volunteers and vendors.
  • The attendees.
  • The Abeona Group, who paid for our Keynote Speaker.
  • Everyone who donated raffle items.
  • The UCP employees who assisted.
  • And, finally, the amazing families of UCP's Family Support Department, without whom none of this would matter.

SHARE YOUR 2023 CONFERENCE PHOTOS!

11/2/2023

 
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Wow! What a great conference!

We are so grateful to everyone who helped make the UCP Oregon's 19th Family Support Conference amazing.

Did you attend? Please share your favorite photos, using the link below!

PRINT OUT YOUR CONFERENCE SCHEDULE NOW

11/1/2023

 
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We can't wait to see you at the 19th UCP Oregon Family Support Conference!

​We'll have print-outs of the schedule waiting for you at Registration, but if you'd like to download the schedule now, see below.
DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Documentary featuring UCP teens to be shown at conference

10/26/2023

 
This is cool! At our upcoming Family Support Conference (which will be held November 3-4), we'll be showing a documentary called Including Us: Exceptional Teens at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The documentary is a rare insider's look backstage at the building of Hairspray for the 2019 season of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It focuses on four teenagers who experience disabilities who were hired as professional actors for the ten-month run. Included in the cast were two teens that are in UCP Oregon’s Family Support Program.  

The documentary has not yet been released to the public. UCP has been given special permission for this one-time viewing.

NOTE: Photo credit to photographer Jenny Graham.

ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE?

We'll be showing the documentary in the main ballroom at 4pm on Friday, November 3rd. See you then!

Register Now for the 2023 Conference

10/4/2023

 
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We're excited to announce that we've made it even easier to register for UCP Oregon’s 19th Family Support Conference! Now you can register via Eventbrite. Woo hoo!

Register Now
Conference Webpage

Reserve your spot for the October 2023 Play Lab

9/8/2023

 
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Are you a member of UCP Family Support Department? Have you been eagerly awaiting our next OMSI Play Lab?

We're excited to announce our next Play Lab date:
  • October 7, 2023 from 10-11am

The theme is "Be a Naturalist." Participants will be able to explore the natural world and the clues that animals leave behind. Participants will meet insects and practice skills like categorization and observations

Each Play Lab includes an hour-long, hands-on, family-centered STEM program, followed by unstructured play time at OMSI.

Every participating family will receive a free year-long family membership to OMSI!

NOTES:
  • Participating children must be aged birth to 6 years old.
  • There is a cut-off of 20 people per Play Lab. If our July 29th date gets filled, we will add a second summer Play Lab date. 
  • ​To save your spot, please send an email to Katherine, listing the names of everyone who will be attending with you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AWESOME KEYNOTE SPEAKER

9/8/2023

 
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Have you registered to attend UCP Oregon's 2023 Family Support Conference?

If so, you'll be excited to learn more about our Keynote Speaker, Lauren Lowery.

​Lauren started her own journey as a special needs mom over 6 years ago when her son was diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome.

Fast forward a few years, Lauren is now an International Coaching Federation certified and trauma-informed life coach, here to help families of children experiencing disabilities and medical issues get out of survival mode and start living a life that is even better than they imagined.

She is also the host of the "
Overcome the Overwhelm for Special Needs Moms" podcast.

Drawing from her personal experiences as a special needs mom herself, Lauren brings a unique understanding and empathy to her coaching practice, creating a safe and supportive space for her clients while also helping them make significant, lasting changes.
 
Lauren specializes in helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children with disabilities while juggling their own well-being. With a focus on burnout and stress management, she equips her clients with the tools and strategies needed to break free from survival mode and thrive in their roles as caregivers.
 

As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified professional, Lauren's coaching approach is rooted in evidence-based techniques and a deep commitment to her clients' growth and fulfillment. Through her guidance, parents discover that they may not be able to control or change their circumstances, but they can choose how they respond and show up to them.
 
Based in Oklahoma, Lauren finds inspiration from her close-knit family, which includes her two children, husband, and a menagerie of horses and cattle. She believes that by supporting mothers of children with special needs, she can create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond individual families, fostering a community of resilience and hope.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
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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 from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
      • Board Portal >
        • Board Meetings
        • Board Committees >
          • Board Development Committee
        • Board Documents
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services
    • 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
    • 2023 Toy Giveaway
    • Family Support Group
    • Family Support Workshops
    • 2023 Family Conference >
      • Hotel Information
      • Workshops
      • Speaker Bios
      • Share Your Conference Pics!
    • OMSI Play Labs
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Nights
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint