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Join Us at the Parade!

5/11/2022

 
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Do you love parades?

We're excited to tell you that UCP's Family Support Department will be participating in the 2022 Junior Rose Parade.


And we want EVERYONE who loves UCP Oregon--that's customers, families, friends, and employees--to join us!

The event will be held on June 8, 2022 from 1-3pm in the Hollywood District.
We should have more details soon.

​But if you already know you want to participate, you can sign up by contacting our Family Support Director below.
EMAIL KATHERINE TO LEARN MORE
PS: You can learn more about the Junior Rose Parade here.

AAPI Month, 2022

5/1/2022

 
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Did you know that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month?

​According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 10 Asian American adults have a disability. This can lead to some complicated experiences.

As activist Megan Liang writes, “As an Asian American woman with a visible disability, I have always felt as if all parts of my identity were for the world to see and judge… I felt like I couldn’t ask for help in fear that I would be seen as even smaller and weaker.” 

​That’s why Megan and others like her are hoping to shine a light on the intersection of disability and Asian identity.
 
Learn More:
  • https://assembly.malala.org/stories/fighting-for-visibility-for-asian-americans-with-disabilities 
  • https://www.respectability.org/2021/05/aapi-month-2021/
  • https://asamnews.com/2021/04/20/many-disabled-asian-americans-feel-alienated-in-both-the-asam-and-disabled-communities/

UCP NATIONAL'S 2022 CONFERENCE IS FREE AND ONLINE

4/16/2022

 
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Hey, this is cool.
 
This year’s national UCP conference is virtual, free and open to the public!
 
Attendees will learn about:
  • recent research and innovative treatments for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders,
  • accessibility and innovation in the transportation industry,
  • workforce challenges for direct support professionals,
  • and the most recent federal public policy affecting people with disabilities.
 
The conference will be held May 3–4, noon to 3:30 pm EST.
 
Register today!
LEARN MORE

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

4/8/2022

 
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Happy Friday!
 
Would you like a job where you get a long weekend EVERY SINGLE WEEK?

It sounds like a dream, right?
 
Well, it’s not! We’re hiring for a 30-hour a week Admin/HR position where you get a three-day weekend, every single week (you get your choice of Mondays or Fridays off).
 
Imagine the possibilities!

Learn More

Autism Acceptance Month 2o22

4/5/2022

 
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Hello! It’s April, and you know what that means… Autism Awareness Month. Or does it?
 
Last year, the largest grassroots autism organization in America (The Autism Society of America) decided to rename their celebration as Autism Acceptance Month (AAM). Other groups have been using the new name for longer, but, in any case, the new name is really taking off!
 
As Christopher Banks (the president and CEO of The Autism Society of America), says, "Awareness is knowing that somebody has autism. Acceptance is when you include (a person with autism) in your activities." [emphasis ours]
 
World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd) has not been renamed, but its focus has changed.
 
Originally, its focus was on “autistic children and finding a cure," as Ludmila Praslova, a professor and director of graduate programs who also experiences autism, explained. She says that many folks now focus on "acceptance and inclusion rather than a cure…” and celebrating “diversity and completeness."

​Sounds good to us!


Learn More:
  • https://www.autismempowermentpodcast.org/ep-15-autism-acceptance-month-2021-with-autism-empowerment-centering-autistic-voices/
  • https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2021/04/02/the-shift-from-autism-awareness-month-to-autism-acceptance-month/
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/04/02/autism-acceptance-month-name-change/7243001001/

Yay, Advocates!

3/25/2022

 
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Today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day 2022!
 
What are you doing to celebrate?
 
This week, a group of parent and adult advocates, clinicians and researchers celebrated CP Awareness Day by travelling to Washington DC, to give a briefing to Congress about CP!
 
The trip was organized by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (which is not part of UCP), and was supported by Senator Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) and Congressman Steve Cohen (Tennessee).
 
Way to go, advocates!

And, speaking of advocates, did you know that National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in the United States was created by two moms? They felt it was vital to increase awareness of cerebral palsy, and to improve quality of care and research across the lifespan.                 

2022 World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day

3/25/2022

 
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Today is March 25th, and you know what that means!

It’s World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day—an event that is celebrated around the world.
In some places, entire buildings are lit up with green to celebrate. Even Niagara Falls has “gone green” to celebrate Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day!

In honor of the day, you can:
  • Share your cerebral palsy related photos or story with the world. (Use this link.)
  • Join a disability-related advocacy group.
  • Use the #GoGreen4CP hashtag on social media.
  • Wear the color green.

HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO UCP MENTORS!

3/17/2022

 
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Hi, everyone! We just wanted to say… “Happy 6-month anniversary to UCP Mentors!”
 
As you probably know, UCP Oregon launched UCP Mentors (our second brokerage) on September 1, 2021.
 
Six months later, UCP Mentors is going strong… and so is our original brokerage (UCP Connections).
 
Here are some interesting facts about UCP Mentors:

  1. Current number of employees: 24.
  2. Current number of customers served: more than 530.
  3. Brokerage Director Sasha Vidales worked previously at The Mentor Network as a Personal Agent and Quality Coordinator.
  4. Some customers currently supported by UCP Mentors were originally enrolled with The Mentor Network when they opened in 2001.
  5. UCP Mentors recently added a Personal Agent who is bilingual in English and Spanish to support our Spanish-speaking community.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BROKERAGE SERVICES

Surprising Facts about CP

3/15/2022

 
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As you may know, March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
 
But here are some facts about CP that you might not know!
 
  1. CP is the most common lifelong physical disability.
  2. CP affects more than 1 million Americans.
  3. 1 in 345 children are affected by CP.
  4. 17 million people worldwide have CP.
  5. More than 10,000 babies in the U.S. are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

From the Desk of Katherine, 2022

3/11/2022

 
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Hi! I’m UCP Oregon’s Family Support Director, Katherine Ball.
 
Did you know that my department supports approximately 845 families?
 
During an average month, I directly work with 100 families. I am available to them via email, phone, social media, and in person as needed.
 
I often speak with parents who are dealing with a new diagnosis of cerebral palsy. I send them a “Welcome Packet” with self-care tips, books and resources. I remain in contact with parents, providing resources, information, and a shoulder to lean on as needed.
 
I also:
  • Coordinate several events a month, including a “Gimme A Break” Family Support Group and various other trainings and events.
  • Write 4-6 grants a year to acquire funds for the Family Support Department. 
  • Administer the Zetosch Fund through the Oregon Community Foundation. (The Fund assists low-income, school-aged children in Oregon who experience disabilities to acquire adaptive equipment that will help their education.)
  • Attend outside meetings and trainings to stay current on the world of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
  • Lead a Family Support Task Force Committee for the UCP Board.
  • Manage a UCP Family Support Facebook page, sharing resources, trainings, articles, and information.
  • Procure and share local event tickets (Blazers, zoo, etc.) for the families in my department.
Learn More About Family Support
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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 used under Creative Commons from Jason McHuff
  • HOME
    • Mission & History
    • UCP'S Leadership >
      • UCP'S Directors
      • UCP'S Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • SERVICES
    • Brokerage >
      • Brokerage Services >
        • Brokerage Videos
    • 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
    • Family Support Workshops
    • Family Support Group
    • Walk, Roll 'n' Run
    • Skate Night
    • Family Conference
  • WAYS TO GIVE
    • Donate
    • Raise Money While Shopping
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Other Ways to Help
    • Give Parents a Break
    • Bill Porter Memorial Fund: For Donors >
      • Bill Porter Honor Roll
    • For Readers of Portland Business Journal >
      • Learn More About Us
  • This is Our Voice
    • Share Your Story
    • Be a Legislative Advocate
    • Formal Complaint
  • Share Your UCP Story