UCP Community Newsletter
In This Issue
Early Learning Center Scholarships Available!
The Tohono O'Odham Nation has awarded UCP $25,000 for Early Learning Scholarships!  

Children with disabilities ages infant to five years are eligible for the program and family income restrictions apply. 4-6 scholarships are available on a full or part-time basis.  

For more information contact Kathryn Moon, ELC Director at 602-943-5472 or via e-mail at kmoon@ucpofcentralaz.org.

We Are Hiring Part-Time Caregivers!

Part-TIME positions available!

 

Flexible Schedules!

 

Time Benefits!

 

This role is one-to-one and provides habilitation, attendant care, and respite services in the individual's home or community.

 

UCP PROVIDES ALL THE TRAINING - ALL YOU NEED IS:

 

The desire to work with an individual with disabilities

 

A reliable vehicle with adequate insurance and a clean driving record

 

Access to a computer with internet connection (libraries have them if you do not)

 

Open communication skills,

 

Excellent work attendance record, and teamwork spirit!

 

Therapy at UCP
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Pathology
  • Feeding Therapy
Clinic Open:
Monday- Saturday

Now accepting the following insurances:
  • Aetna
  • Beech Street
  • BCBS
  • Cigna
  • CMDP
  • First Health
  • PHCS (Private Health Care Systems)
  • Tricare
  • United Heath Care
  • DDD/ALTCS

Please call today to make an appointment or for more information 602.943.5472

SAVE THE DATE!
Please save the date for UCP' s 6th Annual Champions In Life Night Gala

Friday, October 16th, 2015

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
 
As I approach my 5 year anniversary as the CEO of UCP, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to work with a passionate, committed, and dedicated staff who make dreams come true for countless children and adults with disabilities and their families.  Since starting at UCP I have been fortunate to witness so many special moments achieved through our programs - a child's first steps, their first words, and even a first hug to a loved one.  Seeing the difference our programs make in the lives of families is what inspires me to come to work each day. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Armando A. Contreras
Chief Executive Officer
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona
Ambassador Spotlight: Isabella

"Our daughter, Isabella, is a wonderful and joyful five year old little girl. She is inquisitive, caring, cautious, brave, determined, and above all hopeful.  

 

As new parents, we immediately noticed that Isabella lacked facial/verbal expressions and was missing her developmental milestones. She was not able to talk, crawl, and she only ate two kinds of foods. Isabella also had the tendency to shut down emotionally and as parents we did not know how to help her. I thought she would outgrow this "phase" and she would also "catch up" with her milestones. After many stern discussions with our pediatrician,   Isabella was finally referred for an evaluation at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona (UCP). At seventeen months, Isabella was finally diagnosed with Broad Sensory Processing Disorder, a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment. Read More
Jodi's Corner

Facts about a Woman with a Disability

 

Here are the Facts:

Woman with disabilities of all ages, racial, ethnic, religious and social economic backgrounds and sexual orientation will unfortunately experience barriers to gain her independence at home, school, and work (Disability Awareness in Action, 1994).

 

A woman with a disability will also face a "double dose of discrimination (sometimes three if she is a minority) and stereotyping that may cause barriers in her achieving life goals" (Fiduccia and Wolfe 1999).

 

While many women with disabilities will have great strength and perseverance, they will unfortunately face the most discrimination, have lowest rates of employment,   have the lowest wages, have the lowest educational levels, have higher rates of sexual and physical violence, and will have limited access to health services (Fiduccia and Wolfe, 1999). Read more  

Circle K Exemplifies UCP's Core Values

Accountability

UCP shall make every effort to ensure every child, adult and family receives the utmost care by the services we provide. Because of Circle K,  UCP is able to provide the best quality of service to all of its consumers.

 

Commitment

Because of our commitment to those we serve, hope transforms into results and lives are changed. Circle K Employees are committed to UCP's mission, which again allows UCP to provide more and better quality services to all in the community.

 

Teamwork

We create an environment where individuals come together in a spirit of teamwork, which allows us to attain remarkable results. Circle K and UCP are one team, together we are making a difference in our community.

 

Trust

We build relationships with honesty and integrity while following through on our commitments. Circle K's trajectory and their commitment to our mission demonstrate they are a Corporation to trust.

 

Respect

We treat our team members with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity. We respect all individuals and value their contributions. Circle K Employees understand that people with disabilities should be integrated in all aspects of the community 

 

Thank you Circle K Employees!

     UCP's 1K and 5K           Fun Run, Walk, and Roll         is on March 29th!

Join UCP on March 29th at Kiwanis Park in Tempe for our first annual 1K or 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll!  Register today to be entered into our drawing for a FitBit!
 
Support UCP on Arizona Gives Day!
UCP is participating in Arizona Gives Day on April 7, 2015! Arizona Gives Day is a powerful 24 hour online giving experience. To support UCP just go to www.azgives.org on April 7, 2015 and select UCP to donate!
Did You Know?

Credit for donations to a qualifying charitable organizations allows you to direct your tax dollars to UCP of Central Arizona.  Arizona taxpayers who make a contribution to UCP may be eligible for an Arizona income tax credit of up to $400 for married taxpayers and up to $200 for single taxpayers and heads of households in lieu of an Arizona income tax deduction.

What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is the most common cause of mild to moderate intellectual disability and the mental and physical medical problems that often come with it. It was named after John Langdon Down, the first physician to identify the syndrome.

 

Who does Down Syndrome affect?

 

Down Syndrome occurs in one out of 800 live births in the United States. It can affect all races and economic groups.

 

What Causes Down Syndrome?  

 

A fertilized egg normally has 23 pairs of chromosomes.  However, most of the people who have Down Syndrome have an extra (or third) copy of chromosome 21. Having this extra copy of chromosome 21 changes the body's and brain's normal development.In most cases Down Syndrome is caused by a random error in cell division that happens during formation of the mother's egg or father's sperm. Because of this error, when fertilization does take place, the embryo has an additional third chromosome 21 or "trisomy 21."It is not believed that Down Syndrome is a result of the parents' behavior or environmental reasons.


Down Syndrome Risk Factors

 

Researchers have found that it is more likely for an older mother to have reproductive cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21. So an older mother is more likely to have a baby with Down Syndrome than a younger mother.  Read more

| 602-943-5472 | events@ucpofcentralaz.org | http://www.ucpofcentralaz.org
1802 West Parkside Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85027