"I believe that parents are the best advocates for their children. UCP Kids is helping me be the advocate I want to be." – Quote from a parent

The UCP Kids division of UCP Pittsburgh offers a variety of programs aimed at helping children with disabilities to have full participation in recreational, educational, and social opportunities in their communities:

UCP Kids’ Family Partnership program offers a unique approach to supporting families by assisting children with disabilities in becoming involved in inclusive community and leisure activities. UCP Kids works closely with families to identify the child’s recreational interests and find corresponding community activities. We then assist the child in being incorporated into the activity by teaching strategies and techniques to the family and the recreation provider. The overall goal of the Family Partnership program is to increase interactions between children with and without disabilities and to provide families and communities with strategies for success. Read some of our Family Partnership Success Stories!

In an effort to help community organizations Fully Understand the Needs for Everyone, UCP Kids conducts trainings and provides resources to educate the community on welcoming and including children of all abilities in a variety of settings. UCP Kids’ highly interactive trainings can be customized based on the needs of the organization, but generally include an introduction to inclusion, relationship and community building exercises, and practice in making adaptations and modifications. Be sure to check out the Inspire to Include" section of the UCP Kids eNewsletter for information on inclusive programs that have received F.U.N. for Everyone training and/or are particulary welcoming to children with disabilities.

The UCP Cares Workshop Series was developed to address feedback from parents and professionals on their desire to have a forum to come together, network, share ideas, problem-solve and learn about tools and resources to support the children they care about and support. At the UCP Cares workshops, local and national experts speak on issues that matter most to families, educators, and other professionals serving children with disabilities. Each workshop places a constant focus on community by providing participants with the strategies and information they need to foster relationships and connections for children with disabilities at home, at school, and within the community.

Through Training, Empowerment, Access to information, Consultation, Help, Experience and Resources, UCP Kids TEACHER program provides school districts with the support they need to fully include children with disabilities in school-based activities. UCP Kids offers on-site trainings, child-specific consultations, and customized support to elementary, middle, and high schools, helping the district build the knowledge and skills needed to provide inclusive in-school and after-school activities. Download information about Inclusive Education!

UCP Kids thanks the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (www.paddc.org) for their support of the Family Partnership and F.U.N. for Everyone programs.

For more information about UCP Kids, please contact UCP at (412) 683-7100 or send an e-mail.