Update (9/3/26): UCP has adjusted the Employment Solutions closure date from October 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026. We have updated the text below to reflect this, and all other information below remains accurate. UCP Oregon has made the difficult decision to close our Supported Employment program, known as Employment Solutions, effective October 31, 2026. Since 2006, Employment Solutions and its staff have helped people with disabilities pursue their employment goals, build careers, and find meaningful employment in their communities. We are deeply grateful to the current Employment Solutions team—and to everyone who has contributed to this work over the past 20 years—for the skill, dedication, creativity, and care they have brought to UCP and the people we serve. Our Employment Solutions team is working directly with customers to share information about the closure and discuss next steps. Supporting Our Customers Through This Change As part of planning for this change, UCP explored transition options with Supported Employment providers in our community. Ultimately, we chose to work with Relay Resources because of our shared commitment to serving people with disabilities across a wide range of support needs, and Relay's ability to provide the full range of Supported Employment services our customers may need. Customers who would like to transition their Supported Employment services to Relay will have the opportunity to do so. Some UCP employees have accepted positions with Relay, giving customers the opportunity to continue working with familiar staff where possible. Customers continue to have the right to choose their service provider and may explore other options with their Personal Agent or Service Coordinator. UCP will continue providing Employment Solutions services to current customers while individual service transfers are approved and completed, with services ending October 31, 2026. We know this is a significant change for the UCP community, and particularly for our Employment Solutions staff and customers. We are committed to supporting them thoughtfully through this transition and will share additional information in the weeks ahead. Sincerely, Suzannah Newman, Acting Co-Executive Director, and Human Resources Director Jerry Hoffert, Acting Co-Executive Director, and Finance Director 
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)—a time to recognize the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and the importance of inclusive workplaces.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, with the national theme “Celebrating Value and Talent.” It’s a fitting reminder that when workplaces welcome all abilities, everyone benefits—businesses, communities, and our shared economy. At UCP Oregon, we see that truth every day through "Employment Solutions" (our Supported Employment division), which partners with Oregon businesses to match skilled, motivated employees with meaningful jobs. From finding a great job to applying for jobs to on-the-job coaching, our team helps people find and keep work they love—and helps employers discover the immense value of a diverse workforce. We’re proud to join our colleagues across the UCP network in celebrating the talent and dedication of workers with disabilities, and the employers who make inclusion a priority. Explore UCP Oregon’s Supported Employment services: 
 UCP Oregon is hiring!
We’re on the lookout for an Operations Coordinator for our Employment Solutions team. If you're all about social justice, organizing, problem-solving, and supporting others, this could be your dream job. Plus, you'll get to work partly from home on a hybrid work schedule. Your role will be to keep the team’s operations running smoothly—think project management, billing support, and data management, with plenty of collaboration with our awesome team. Plus, you’ll help adults experiencing disabilities pursue their career goals and passions!  It's October, and you know what that means... fall leaves, cooler weather, and NDEAM!
NDEAM stands for “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote inclusive hiring practices. While NDEAM comes around every October, at UCP Oregon, we're committed to creating access and opportunity all year long! That’s why we created our Employment Solutions division almost 20 years ago! Since then, we’ve assisted hundreds of job-seekers and employers in the Portland area. Are you a job seeker with disabilities? We offer a huge range of customized services, including:
Are you an employer who has hard-to-fill positions? Or are you hoping to make a difference with very little time commitment? We offer a range of services including:
Whether you're a job-seeker or an employer, Employment Solutions is here to help you make meaningful connections. Reach out to us today to learn more!  It's October, and you know what that means... fall leaves, cooler weather… and NDEAM! NDEAM stands for "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." NDEAM happens every October, but at UCP Oregon, we believe in creating and celebrating access and opportunity every day! Our Supported Employment division (known as “Employment Solutions”) has been assisting people with disabilities to find and keep their dream jobs in the community since 2006. Want to find out more about we can do for you? If you’re a job-seeker who experiences disabilities, our services (include:
If you’re an employer who’s interested in hiring a more diverse workforce, or if you’d like to make a difference by sharing an hour or two of your time, we’d love to talk to you.
We are so excited to share the achievements of our customer, Henry Meece.
Henry uses services from UCP Oregon’s Supported Employment Department (also known as Employment Solutions). He works at Fulcrum Fitness, serving as a janitor at their SE location. About his job, Henry says, “I like all the UCP Job Coaches I’ve had, and I like cleaning the gym when it’s quiet and everyone is gone for the day.” But Henry is far more famous for winning medals at the X Games. The X Games are an extreme sport competition, and are covered live on the X Games YouTube and Twitch channels. The Games happen twice a year—in the summer and in the winter—and usually consist of skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, and BMX biking. Henry started competing in the X Games in 2015. He describes the X Games as “challenging and crazy fun.” He adds, “In the X Games, we are paired with a pro or celebrity, and we each get one run down the red and blue course. We add our fastest times together and the top three times receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals.” Henry competes in a snowboarding category called “Unified Slalom.” Slalom is an exciting event! It involves racing down over a zigzagging course, having to turn and adjust quickly as you move between narrowly-spaced flags. Henry would love it if the X Games also added a category called “banked slalom,” competing on a twisty curvy course with banked turns. Together with his first partner, Chris Klug, Henry won four consecutive Gold medals. Henry was paired with Jack Mitrani in 2020 and took home the Bronze. Last week, Henry and Chris Klug were reunited as partners and together they won third place, adding a Bronze medal to their collection. Congratulations, Henry! We’re so proud of you! PS: Want to learn more about the 2023 X Games? Click this link—you can even see Henry’s most recent score. NOTE: Photo credit goes to Francis-King and Nnamani/Special Olympics.  We’d like to give a huge shout out to Diondre, who recently celebrated his 18-year anniversary at Fred Meyer. Congratulations, Diondre!
Diondre uses UCP Oregon's Supported Employment Services (also known as Employment Solutions). PS: Want to hear more details about Diondre and his awesome Job Coach, Rory? We have good news for you! They're both going to be profiled in an upcoming Annual Report. Woo hoo!  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.  Hey, this is really cool! A former customer of UCP Oregon was one of the consultants for Portland’s new inclusive playground at Gabriel Park. You might remember Linda from her days as a customer of UCP Oregon's Supported Employment Services. Linda used our services while she worked as a research assistant in Portland State University’s Universal Design Lab. She was also featured in one of our Annual Reports. Linda recently served on Portland Parks & Recreation's Gabriel Park Playground Advisory Committee. Linda was born in Portland—a city with numerous beautiful parks—but, as Linda says, when she went to the playground as a kid, “I could not do anything, but I would sit my feet in the wading pool.” That's why Linda was delighted to serve on the Gabriel Park Playground Advisory Committee. While Linda wishes inclusive playgrounds had existed when she was a kid, late is better late than never! The new playground officially opened on May 14th.   Hello! Here we are, almost two years into the pandemic.
UCP’s Supported Employment division (“Employment Solutions”) is hard at work. We support adults with disabilities to have great jobs in the community. As you might imagine, this can be somewhat difficult during a pandemic. But our customers are working, challenging themselves, getting raises and promotions, starting new jobs, and making new connections. Being able to celebrate their successes keeps us smiling, even though we (like you!) are tired. Here are a few recent stories that will make YOU smile, too!
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