the story behind the statistics

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UCP Central PA 925 Linda Lane • Camp Hill, PA 17011 Tel: 717-737-3477 • Fax: 717-975-3333 www.ucpcentralpa.org • www.ucpfoundationcentralpa.org UCP Central PA and the UCP Foundation of Central PA 2012-2013 Highlights Statistics don’t lie. But they also don’t tell the full story. Left unmentioned and undocumented are the countless ways that UCP staff have empowered those whose lives we have touched over the past 12 months. One such example is the story of three young women whose lives have intersected since they were infants, but who have come together in the past year to live independently for the first time under one roof. The Story Behind the Statistics Rachel Sunday was evaluated at just six weeks of age and began receiving physical therapy, feeding, and group services from UCP at two months. Heather McSherry began physical therapy and sign language at nine months. Kayce Rosensteel joined them at three years of age when her parents enrolled her in UCP’s preschool program. The girls continued on together through their early school years, and were among the first to experience the initial efforts by schools to mainstream children with disabilities into the broader educational program. All three ladies graduated from West Perry High School at 21 years of age. Not long after, UCP reappeared in their lives when the women began participating in the Hanover Street Neighbors Adult Day Program which is a partnership between UCP and the Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC). Kayce attends Hanover Street two days a week and works three days at Goodwill in Harrisburg; Rachel and Heather are active at Hanover Street five days a week. All of the ladies enjoy their time in the program, where they do arts and crafts, play games, do volunteer work, and enjoy regular social and community outings. A Hope Realized As time went on, it was the parents’ shared hope to have the girls take the next logical step in the progression toward full adulthood: living independently. However, as parents of children with a disability, their challenge was much more daunting. They couldn’t just pack the girls up and move them into a house or an apartment. They needed to find a safe, comfortable, and conveniently located community home that would offer independence, but also the security of residential living supports. It took nearly two years to secure the appropriate waivers, line up financial support, and find the right home. In October 2012, it all came together when the UCP Foundation of Central PA, in support of UCP’s Community Home Services, purchased the Sherman’s Valley Home. UCP Community Home Services’ staff worked with the families to furnish the home and hired the necessary round- the-clock staff. Then, on December 1, 2012, Heather, Rachel and Kayce moved into the house... and into a new life. Cassie Knepp initially accepted the position of Sherman’s Valley House Manager on an interim basis, until a full-time house manager could be hired. But she soon fell in love... with the home, the experience, and most importantly, the ladies. “It’s really cool to be a part of it,” Cassie says. This is such a big step in their lives. They’re all doing awesome in their first time living outside their family homes.” Thanks to UCP Community Home Services, and the UCP Foundation of Central PA, the Sherman’s Valley “sisters” are truly experiencing life without limits…. TM This is what life without limits looks like. The “Sisterhood” of Sherman’s Valley Rachel, Kayce, and Heather relax in the comfort of their home. Find us (“ucpcentralpa”) at:

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Page 1: The Story Behind the Statistics

UCP Central PA925 Linda Lane • Camp Hill, PA 17011

Tel: 717-737-3477 • Fax: 717-975-3333 www.ucpcentralpa.org • www.ucpfoundationcentralpa.org

UCP Central PA and theUCP Foundation of Central PA

2012-2013 Highlights

Statistics don’t lie. But they also don’t tell the full story. Left unmentioned and undocumented are the countless ways that UCP staff have empowered those whose lives we have touched over the past 12 months. One such example is the story of three young women whose lives have intersected since they were infants, but who have come together in the past year to live independently for the first time under one roof.

The Story Behind the Statistics

Rachel Sunday was evaluated at just six weeks of age and began receiving physical therapy, feeding, and group services from UCP at two months. Heather McSherry began physical therapy and sign language at nine months. Kayce Rosensteel joined them at three years of age when her parents enrolled her in UCP’s preschool program. The girls continued on together through their early school years, and were among the first to experience the initial efforts by schools to mainstream children with disabilities into the broader educational program.

All three ladies graduated from West Perry High School at 21 years of age. Not long after, UCP reappeared in their lives when the women began participating in the Hanover Street Neighbors Adult Day Program which is a partnership between UCP and the Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC). Kayce attends Hanover Street two days a week and works three days at Goodwill in Harrisburg; Rachel and Heather are active at Hanover Street five days a week. All of the ladies enjoy their time in the program, where they do arts and crafts, play games, do volunteer work, and enjoy regular social and community outings.

A Hope RealizedAs time went on, it was the parents’ shared hope to have the girls take the next logical step in the progression toward full adulthood: living independently. However, as parents of children with a disability, their challenge was much more daunting. They couldn’t just pack the girls up and move them into a house or an apartment. They needed to find a safe, comfortable, and conveniently located community home that would offer independence, but also the security of residential living supports.

It took nearly two years to secure the appropriate waivers, line up financial support, and find the right home. In October 2012, it all came together when the UCP Foundation of Central PA, in support of UCP’s Community Home Services, purchased the Sherman’s Valley Home.

UCP Community Home Services’ staff worked with the families to furnish the home and hired the necessary round-the-clock staff. Then, on December 1, 2012, Heather, Rachel and Kayce moved into the house... and into a new life. Cassie Knepp initially accepted the position of Sherman’s Valley House Manager on an interim basis, until a full-time house manager could be hired. But she soon fell in love... with the home, the experience, and most importantly, the ladies. “It’s really cool to be a part of it,” Cassie says. “This is such a big step in their lives. They’re all doing awesome in their first time living outside their family homes.”

Thanks to UCP Community Home Services, and the UCP Foundation of Central PA, the Sherman’s Valley “sisters” are truly experiencing life without limits….

TM

This is what life without limits looks like.

The “Sisterhood” of Sherman’s Valley

Rachel, Kayce, and Heather relax in the comfort of their home.

Find us (“ucpcentralpa”) at:

Page 2: The Story Behind the Statistics

UCP Central PA: What We Do and Who We Serve New Programs and Services UCP Central PA (UCP) introduced two subsidiaries, offering new programs and services, over the past year:

• UCP Connections to Independence (CTI) is a subsidiary corporation of UCP Central PA which was previously the agency’s service coordination arm known as Community Support Services. CTI provides support to adults with physical disabilities so they can be more independent in the home, at work, and in the community. CTI staff help people navigate the multitude of programs offered through various state agencies including the PA Department of Public Welfare and PA Department of Aging. CTI services and supports are currently offered in 16 Central Pennsylvania counties. Learn more at: www.ucpconnectionstoindependence.org

• The D.R.E.A.M. Partnership is a nonprofit subsidiary established in October 2012 to facilitate post-secondary education options for individuals with developmental disabilities. Historically, there have been limited options for students with disabilities following their transition from high school. The D.R.E.A.M. Partnership will establish a network of colleges in the state of PA to provide educational opportunities for these students through a two-year certificate program that leads to competitive employment and independent living. Learn more at: www.dreampartnership.org

UCP Foundation of Central PA

• Traumatic brain injury • Multiple Sclerosis • Cerebral palsy • Diabetes

UCP currently operates from 30 facilities in 15 Central Pennsylvania counties, providing both community and center-based programs and services, as follows: • childhood programs and early intervention therapies (Capital Area Children’s Center)• adult day programs (15 locations in five counties)• residential living (ten community homes in six counties, and an assisted living apartment program) • community support services (three locations in three counties)

• Stroke • Down syndrome • Autism • Alzheimer’s/dementia

The UCP Foundation of Central PA (the Foundation) was established in 2006 to support the programs and services provided by UCP Central PA. An operationally strong, fiscally sound, and efficient charity, the Foundation directs 92% of all donations to programs and servces that promote a life without limits for people with disabilities. Foundation highlights from the past year include:

Grant Allocation Panel reviews proposals submitted by UCP program staff and recommends funding to the UCP Foundation Board of Directors. In FY 2013, we awarded $20,497 for the following:• Three training manikins to be used for core competency training with our Capital Home Care staff at our training centers in Camp Hill, Selinsgrove, and Lewistown. ($2,500 allocated) • Two FM Loop systems--assistive listening devices--to be used for employee and volunteer accommodations. ($1,634 allocated)• Three laptops and printer/scanners/copiers to be used by the Capital Home Care Quality Coordinators to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their home visits. ($4,500 allocated)• Camera for program teaching requirements at the Pathways program in Lewistown. ($200 allocated) • iPad Pilot Program, funded iPads and iPad training for several Adult Day program locations to facilitate enhanced socialization and communication. ($6,600 allocated)• Two pieces of accessible fitness equipment for the Adventure Park Fitness Trail. ($5,063 allocated) Special Events, 2012-13. The Foundation regularly hosts five special event fundraisers over the course of the year: UCP Magic Night Gala (black-tie dinner dance), Walk for a Healthy Community (presented by Highmark), UCP/Harrisburg Senators Sports Memorabilia Auction, UCP/SchmidtKramer Golf Tournament, and UCP Annual Holiday Gift Wrap. In 2012-13, the events generated $106,358 in net proceeds for the benefit of UCP programs and services. An additional $16,204 in net proceeds was raised as a result of the Roast of District Attorney Ed Marsico. The community’s support of, and participation in, our events facilitates the agency’s ability to address the unmet and evolving needs of individuals with disabilities and their families in the midstate. The revenue from these events also enables the Foundation to provide financial support for unfunded or underfunded programs and services throughout the community.

Real Estate Investment. The Foundation applied its financial resources to support UCP Community Home Services through the purchase of a Perry County home, referred to as the Sherman’s Valley Community Home, in October 2012. (See back page to learn who is living there!) The Sherman’s Valley home is one of 11 residential living options (ten community homes and and an assisted living apartment program) that UCP offers adults with disabilities.

706

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426

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1,817

499

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Early Intervention(Therapies, including physical, speech, occupational, nutritional, and special instruction for children from birth through age three)

Options Childcare/Preschool (Inclusive program for children ages six weeks through five years)

Family Support Services(Supports designed to strengthen families of children with disabilities, ages birth--21, including information and referral, advocacy, family networking activities, and workshops)

Adult Day Programs(Daily activities to promote continued growth and development for individuals with disabilities, ages 18 and older)

Home and Community-Based Services(Programs and services that empower individuals with disabilities to remain in their own homes and actively participate in the community)

Assistive Technology (Includes Demonstration Center, training, outreach and equipment reuse program)

Community Home Services(Residential program with 10 community homes and 10 apartments in Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Mifflin, Northumberland, and Perry Counties)

LifeFit(Fitness and nutrition program for individuals with disabilities)

Respite(AM/PM, evening, and overnight respite services for families and caregivers)

2012-2013 Program HighlightsFrom July 2012 to June 2013, UCP provided a comprehensive array of programs and services to enhance the lives of nearly 4,100 individuals with disabilities and their families throughout Central PA.Program: Number Served:

It is the mission of UCP Central PA (UCP) to assist infants, children, youth, and adults, with disabilities, and their families, achieve their goals of development, growth, independence, and full citizenship. We encourage and strengthen skills and capabilities for each individual so they may become as independent as possible.

Whether someone was born with a disability, acquired a disability through illness or injury, or is simply aging into disability, UCP serves as a lifeline for thousands of individuals, and the family members who care for them, throughout Central PA. Despite what our name may seem to imply, cerebral palsy is but one of more than 80 conditions and diagnoses for which UCP provides care and services. A listing of the most prevalent diagnoses or conditions of the consumers who benefited from our services over the past year includes: • Intellectual disability • Speech and language delay • Developmental delay • Premature birth