Category: News

AT THE EDGE OF A CLIFF: A Workforce Crisis in Developmental Disabilities Services

3/5/2019

Frustration. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Like they’re about to fall off a cliff.

These are some of the emotions that people who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) receiving supports are experiencing, due to the statewide direct support professional (DSP) workforce crisis. Simply put, there aren’t enough caregivers, and many of the good ones are fleeing for better paid positions.

A Sad Announcement

5/9/2018

As many of you know, UCP Oregon has been passionate about the idea of community inclusion for adults who experience developmental disabilities for many decades. It is therefore with sadness that we announce that we are discontinuing our community inclusion service area (UCP’s “Choices” Department). The closure is effective May 9th for Choices customers, and May 11th for Choices employees.

UCP Is Growing!

10/31/2017

UCP is pleased to announce that we’re growing—quite a bit!

Currently, UCP Connections (our support services brokerage department) supports 251 customers, but over the next few months, Connections will grow by almost 30%, with the end goal of supporting 326 customers.

UCP Makes the "100 Best List" Again!

10/2/2017

UCP is thrilled to announce that we were once again ranked as one of Oregon Business magazine’s "100 Best Nonprofit Organizations to Work for in Oregon."

The 100 Best List showcases organizations that are rated as exceptional places to work by their employees. UCP ranked as #24 in the large employer category.

Thanks to everyone who makes UCP a great place to work!

"100 Best" List Again!

7/26/2016

Woo hoo! UCP is excited to announce that in 2016, we are once again ranked as one of the "100 Best Nonprofit Employers to Work for in Oregon."

The list is coordinated by Oregon Business. Congratulations to all of UCP's employees and the people we support!

UCP Goes to Salem!

3/3/2016

This week, UCP joined self-advocates and agencies from around Oregon at an event called "Advocacy Days" at Oregon's State Capitol. Several of the people we support met with legislative staff to talk about what it's like to experience disabilities, and why they felt that the state should increase the pay rates for caregivers.

After that, everyone went to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate with some excellent food!

Why Rachel Loves UCP

1/22/2016

We’ve been asking UCP employees what they love most about UCP.

Here’s what Rachel, one of our Assistant Team Leaders has to say… “Not to sound super corny, but I really admire my coworkers. I’ve met some of the most dedicated, compassionate, patient people through my work here. I also love how UCP encourages growth and self-improvement. Finally, I really love helping people explore their interests and participate in the things they enjoy. My very first day, I helped the woman I was supporting into her adaptive bike. As soon as she got pedaling, her face lit up. She was just beaming.”

Staff Appreciation Month at UCP

10/9/2015

October is Staff Appreciation Month at UCP! And we have a full month’s worth of exciting events.

Our employees will be winning tons of awesome prizes in our trivia competition. They’ll be eating pizza at our pizza party. They’ll be nominating their amazing co-workers for the 2015 Annual Staff Awards.

And this week, we're delivering gift baskets to all of the wonderful employees who work directly out of our customers' homes.

Thank you for all that you do, UCP employees! We appreciate you.

UCP Is on the "100 Best List" for 2015!

8/4/2015

UCP has exciting news! We just found out that we are ranked, once again, as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon. We'll find out our exact position on the list on September 30th. Until then, congratulations to UCP's employees and friends!

UCP Makes the "100 Best List" for 2014!

8/13/2014

We are excited to announce that UCP has once again been named as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon for 2014!

We achieved this designation based on our employees’ responses to an annual survey administered by Oregon Business magazine, as well as our benefits package. We have achieved this designation 5 times now: in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2014.

We will learn where exactly we placed during an awards ceremony on October 1st.

Thanks to all the wonderful employees who made this designation possible! You are truly what makes UCP great.