Advocacy Services:  Knowledge is Power

With information comes power, and that's the goal of the UCP Advocacy Services program—to give people with developmental disabilities and their families the information and support they need to have the power to affect their individual
situations in a positive way.

UCP concentrates its Advocacy Services efforts toward the families we serve in the Children's Program, Adult Program and Supported Employment Program. We also work collectively to help the community gain a new understanding of the skills and strengths of people with disabilities. 

Advocacy Services can include: 

• Informational Referrals:  UCP can help guide families to local and regional agencies, organizations and programs that can help them meet their goals
• Individual and Family Support:  We can help families as they plan for their child's future in public school, as well as adults with disabilities as they set a course of action for education, job training or other opportunities. 
• Conference and Financial Assistance Information:  UCP can assist families with finding resources to help finance an educational conference related to disabilities. Advocacy Services can also help families find assistance for equipment and other needs. 

The Advocacy Services staff is also available to meet with families of UCP students to discuss issues and concerns they have about their educational services, develop a plan for taking action to advocate for the changes they want, and attend education meetings with the school as appropriate.