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:

• Life Enhancement: We envision a new service that supports quality of life for customers across their lifespan (babies, teens, adults and elderly) and across all aspects of their lives. 
• Funding and Fundraising: We envision diversification of UCP Oregon’s funding sources to become less dependent on government funding.
• Community Relationships and Education: We envision enhancing UCP Oregon’s “intentional education” efforts to better equip people and organizations on how to support, interact with and empower people who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). 
• Advocacy: We envision supporting UCP Oregon’s customers as they advocate for themselves and the disability community at the local and state levels.

 
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

UCP Oregon launched the Bill Porter Memorial Fund in 2018 in an effort to remove barriers and support meaningful lives for people experiencing disabilities.
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​In 2019, the Fund accepted its first round of applicants. Below are some of their stories. (You can also read more stories here.)

• Kelcie experiences CP; she is using her BPMF funds to purchase a handheld shower head on an adjustable pole so she can bathe thoroughly and as independently as possible.
• David shared this: “In my home, I keep a variety of photo albums filled with postcards and photos. When I look through these albums, I realize how much I would like to take photos of my family and those involved in my life. I want to sign up for a photography class that can teach me how to use my camera and take photos at my own pace.” We’re excited to see hear how his class goes!
• Tanya asked for a slip-on upper body balance harness for her thirteen-year-old daughter, who experiences CP. The harness allows her daughter to balance on a yoga ball and practice trunk strength.
• Kim, who experiences an intellectual disability, recently took swimming classes, but found it difficult to get in and out of the pool. However, using BPMF funds, she will be able to swim at a pool closer to home where it’s easier to swim—and to make friends!
• Gracie, an 11-year-old girl with CP, epilepsy, and an undiagnosed neuromuscular disease, likes to swim, and wanted to share the experience with her family. Gracie used BPMF funds to purchase an annual aquatic center membership. As Gracie’s mom writes, “It’s been so exciting to finally find a physical activity that the entire family can do together and have fun, too!” 

The world of disabilities funding can be confusing! 
 
That’s why we’d like to share a link to a really helpful summary about the upcoming Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA). The ONA will affect everyone who qualifies for developmental disability services in Oregon who chooses to receive services from the Community First Choice (K) Plan.
 
Thanks to The Oregon Support Services Association for creating and sharing the summary.​