What Is Family Support?

By Katherine Ball, UCP's new Family Support Director

UCP's 2019 Walk Roll ‘n Run event is only a few days away!

You've probably heard that this event funds my department, Family Support. But do you know what the Family Support Department does?

1. ​We provide a welcome packet, resources, and a Children With CP book as soon as a child is diagnosed with CP or a similar disability. 
2. We provide funding to buy adaptive equipment.
3. We provide “Respitality” and “Date Night” so that parents can have some quality time away from caregiving to replenish themselves.
4. We provide a quarterly newsletter to keep everyone up to date.
5. We provide a monthly support group for parents called Gimme A Break, which includes childcare.
6. We provide a bi-annual Family Support Conference.
7. We provide training and education to parents so their families can THRIVE!
8. We provide family outings like skating, bowling, accessible hikes, and our annual Family Support Picnic.
9. We provide emotional support for families every day via phone calls, emails and office visits.

Do you know what we WANT to do in the future?

• Provide support to families while their children are in the hospital--such as cards, baskets, stuffed animals, and meal delivery.
• Provide support when a child passes away: cards, flowers, help with memorials, and meal delivery.
• Provide families with help during crisis: meals, rides to and from appointments, open office hours at UCP, etc.
• Host a Family Support Holiday Party when we give away the toys donated by Les Schwaub and GBW Channel 8!
• Provide more trainings and speakers--at least once a month!
• Provide tickets to fun community events, more fun outings, and activities like gardening, cooking classes, and art classes.
• Hire videographers for Family Support events.
• Hire photographers to create Fantasy Portraits of children for birthdays.
• Provide one piece of accessible equipment on every playground in the Portland metro area.
• Host a UCP Prom with donated tuxes, dresses, hair and makeup, wheelchair dance classes.
• Provide an annual talent show for families and children to show off their unique talents.
• And so much more!

 
You can help fund these ideas by sharing info about the upcoming WRR with your friends, families and social media contacts. You can also join a WRR team or form your own team. Ask people to donate.

Please help us!