About UCP
United Cerebral Palsy of San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador Counties, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has advocated for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities since its incorporation and charter began with United Cerebral Palsy Associations in 1954.
More than 25 years later, the first employee was hired with support from the State Department of Developmental Services. At this time, a day center for adults with cerebral palsy had been open and the number of participants was growing. By 1981, the Adult Activity Center (AAC), located at a Methodist Church in Stockton, had grown to require its own location. In 1982, the United Cerebral Palsy Barnett House opened for 26 individuals and two staff.
In the following years, UCP programs expanded dramatically to support community need. Supported Employment and Respite services were established in 1989. In 1992, a new Adult Activity Center in Manteca opened and a new facility on Benjamin Holt replaced the Barnett House accommodating the expanding organization. Between 1994 and 1998, an Early Intervention Program, Assistive Technology Program, Supported Living Program and Program Without Walls (a community integration program) were established. In 2000, another Adult Development Program opened its doors in Stockton’s Hammer Ranch Shopping Center. With the support from further funding, the agency established programs to provide early intervention services to children and seniors. Facility costs were supported by community grants and gifts. In late 2012 Supported Employment was approved for a Work Adjustment Program. 2013 a new Applied Abilities Program opened providing a Behavioral Manager and Community Integration Programs located in Tracy, CA.
Today, UCP continues to grow with an operating budget that exceeds $7 million. Despite fluctuation in funding and operating costs, UCP continues to support more customers every year, providing varied and comprehensive services to children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families. UCP provides its crucial services to over 2,000 individuals and their families each year and provides more than 302,700 services hours. Nearly 200 staff work together to provide the services that empower this special and growing population of individuals to achieve their fullest potential.
UCP is accredited from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF accreditation helps ensure that services are provided with the highest standards. UCP successfully achieved a three year re-accreditation in February 2013 and continues to be recognized as the premier and leading resource in the greater San Joaquin Valley. The agency has been honored by United Way with the Agency of the Year Award, and by UCP National with the Public Education, Awareness and Relations Award. In 2013 UCP was voted as the areas Best of San Joaquin 2013’s Non-profit Organization.
UCP has and continues to be driven not only by its mission and by Board of Directors, but also by the agency’s senior management team of whom many have a long-standing history with UCP. It is through this stability that UCP continues to further its mission and ensure that children and adults with disabilities will have every opportunity to live “Life Without Limits”.