It is with a heavy heart that we announce changes to UCP Oregon’s Supported Employment Department (“Employment Solutions”).
Employment Solutions supports adults who experience disabilities to find and keep fulfilling jobs in the community. As you might imagine, COVID-19 has had a huge effect on this department. In March of 2020, most of the department’s employed customers lost their jobs due to COVID-19 restrictions, with very few able to be rehired in a contracting economy. Over the intervening months, we have attempted to keep the department as whole as possible. We applied for (and received) COVID-19 relief grants. But three layoffs were necessary in July, and we are now forced to restructure again. Department changes include:
These changes will have a tremendous impact on UCP Oregon’s community. We are saying goodbye to some of our best and brightest, including our Employment Solutions Director, Melissa Miller. Read more about Melissa, and her contributions, here. Affected customers and employees have been informed, but if you have questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As many of you know, UCP has been forced to implement layoffs in our Supported Employment Department.
One of the biggest changes was that the department’s Director, Melissa Miller, was laid off. We’d like to take a moment to celebrate and honor Melissa’s achievements at UCP. Melissa started at UCP more than 17 years ago. She applied to be a “Roommate” (a live-in caregiver), hoping to get a job and a place to live. As she says, though, she ended up finding “a family, a community and a mission.” That mission? As Melissa says, it’s to “PUSH THE ENVELOPE and NEVER STOP PUSHING for those who need support.” Over the years, Melissa worked in many of UCP’s departments, supporting and interacting with hundreds of customers and employees. She met her husband at UCP, and started her own family. Meanwhile, Melissa was creating a new department, Employment Solutions, and serving as a statewide advocate and voice. As UCP’s Executive Director, Ann Coffey says, “Melissa is bold, fearless, opinionated, hard-working, and full of gusto. She moves mountains. And she will continue to push the envelope for equity and justice, wherever she may roam.” Melissa’s right-hand woman, Nicole Vivanco, will step into a new role as manager of the Employment Solutions team. Learn more about recent changes to Employment Solutions here.
Our customers are our best role models during this time of uncertainty. They're the real experts at navigating barriers, exceptions, and challenges. They already know how to wade deep into unknown waters, deal with uncertainty, and find coping mechanisms.
Our employees are, as always, rising to any challenge, whether it's finding personal protective gear and emergency supplies, or finding ways to help customers socialize at a distance. It is clear that we ALL take the business of providing human services seriously. Reopening:
One day, one customer, one step at a time. Sincerely, Ann Coffey, Executive Director
We have also partnered with a few local provider agencies to acquire a few deals. And, as needed, our Executive Director, Ann, makes weekly trips in her truck to pick up and distribute orders. And we have, so far, been able to keep our employees "whole." We still need your help, though... more than ever! Thanks for your support! We want to share a wonderful story. Last Friday, our Family Support Director (Katherine) woke up to a frantic phone call from a mom who is raising a child with cerebral palsy. He has a trach and vent, but they didn't have enough supplies to get them through the weekend.
Katherine jumped into instant action. She was able to share a week's worth of medical supplies from her family's personal stash. Then she connected the mom to a new supply company, a new nursing agency, several other resources... and, of course, to UCP's Family Support Department! Now mom and son could have a stress-free weekend and look forward to more support, connection and supplies. As Katherine says, "I love my job! I love my life!"
MOVEMENT MATTERS:
An Exploration into Physical Activity Resources for Oregonians with Disabilities Thursday May 7, 12-1pm PST Adventure 1: National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability and Adaptive Sports NW Monday May 11, 12-1pm PST Adventure 2: Move it! Oregon’s Specialty Athletic Trainings and OSU Extensive Services Wednesday May 13, 12-1pm PST Adventure 3: Dance! Yoga! Something for everyone--plus, national and state online resources You can join via OSAC’s Facebook page or join the webinars via Zoom.
Phone: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 857 3520 5706 FROM THE DESK OF ANN COFFEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hello, UCP employees, customers, families, board members, and community partners. I am pleased to announce UCP Oregon’s Agency goals for the years 2020-2023:
These goals are customer-driven, and were created using the feedback from customer focus groups, UCP Oregon employees, UCP Oregon’s leadership team, and Board of Directors. I’ve been employed by UCP since 2003, and been privileged to participate in strategic planning throughout the years. However, these goals are particularly near and dear to my heart, as they have incorporated customer feedback in a manner which supports UCP’s values of self-direction like never before. I look forward to supporting all of us to implement them in our work lives! Sincerely, Ann Coffey, Executive Director
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