FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY TAKES INTERNATIONAL TO A LOCAL LEVEL AT 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Washington, DC (May 4, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, took international to a local level during the UCP 2011 Annual Conference – Life Without Limits: It’s All Local. The conference was designed to help improve operational and organizational efficiency and focused on tools to strengthen affiliates in local communities, regardless of budget size, and discussed how global collaborations can revolutionize the disabilities landscape. 

Highlights:

• More than 200 participants from across the globe tackle issues to revolutionize the disabilities landscape;
• UCP’s Annual awards for Excellence features new basketball film and extreme mountain climber with disabilities;
• New members have been added to UCP’s national Board of Trustees; and
• UCP’s newest Celebrity Ambassador, Actor RJ Mitte, began his new role at the Annual Conference. Mitte co-hosted the Opening Reception, presented the Outstanding Youth Award, and participated on a panel about mobilizing the next generation of philanthropists and advocates.
  

Press releases that follow:

1. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY PRESENTS “AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE” 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ELECTS TWO TO NATIONAL BOARD
3. CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR, ACTOR RJ MITTE INAUGURATES NEW ROLE AT UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
   

A complete wrap up of the conference is available in the “Agenda” section of the conference webpage at ucp.org, and photos are available on the UCP Facebook page. 

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP and its nearly 100 affiliates advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. We work to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, we continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Cerebral Palsy presents “Awards for Excellence” 2011 Annual Conference                                                                           
Washington, DC (May 4, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, presented its annual Awards for Excellence during its 2011 Annual Conference in New Orleans, La. Designed to help improve operational and organizational efficiency, the UCP 2011 Annual Conference theme – Life Without Limits: It’s All Local – focused on tools to strengthen affiliates in local communities, regardless of budget size, and discussed how global collaborations can revolutionize the disabilities landscape. 

Each year, the UCP Awards for Excellence are presented to affiliates, individuals and companies whose exceptional activities, achievements and dedication exemplify the UCP mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through its affiliate network. This year, these awards were presented to 10 recipients at an opening reception and a dinner and presentation during the Annual Conference. 

“The 2011 United Cerebral Palsy Awards for Excellence recipients are leaders in creating a life without limits for people with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, President & CEO, United Cerebral Palsy. “We are pleased to recognize affiliates, individuals and companies whose successful performance make our mission a reality by advancing independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities.”

The 2011 Awards for Excellence include:

• 2011 Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award was presented to Glenn Harger, CEO of UCP of Mobile, for his leadership and strong commitment to UCP. He joined the affiliate of UCP of Mobile in 1989 and has grown the affiliate from a budget of $400,000 and 12 employees to a budget size of $4.1 million and 75 employees. Harger served in a leadership role as Chair with the National Administrators Council and as the first chair of the Professional Council following the reinvention of the management structure for UCP. He has offered his expertise to the planning and logistical support of several UCP annual conferences and has faithfully participated in Regional Administrator Council meetings. He currently serves as the Chair of the Program Advancement Ad Hoc Committee. Harger previously served on the Affiliate Services Committee and was the Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Council of Alabama for Early Childhood Intervention. Throughout his time with UCP, he has been a respected, vocal executive director who not only has Southern charm and a booming voice but a great passion for people with disabilities.
   

• 2011 Chair Award was presented to Darrell Davis, Vice President of the Circle K Florida Region and Jason Broussard, Vice President of the Circle K Gulf Coast Region. For close to three decades, Circle K has made a profound difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Through the company’s canister program, special events and cause marketing efforts, Circle K employees have literally transformed thousands of lives.
   

• 2011 Ritter Legacy Award, was presented to UCP of the North Bay for their website, Facebook page and $1,000 Donor Club packet program, which includes DVDs, newsletters and brochures. These marketing materials are used to raise funds for their programs, with particular focus on their recreation activities for children and adults with disabilities. They are also used to raise awareness of UCP and create a positive impression of the organization and its work; and finally, to build a strong community of current and future supporters. UCP of the North Bay has created programs which exemplify successful methods to further advocacy and reach fundraising goals.
   
• 2011 Nina Eaton Program of the Year Award was presented to UCP Heartland for The Employment Collaborative, which builds relationships that lead to employment opportunities through a single point of entry between supported employment services providers and local school districts. The Collaborative is comprised of seven social service agencies, including UCP Heartland, that by working together, have placed more than 75 individuals with nine school districts and two district contractors. The goal of the Employment Collaborative is to provide opportunities for people who face a barrier to employment with the means to work more independently in their communities, often times at employment settings in which they are already familiar. It is an example of successful integration that can serve as a catalyst for change.
   

• 2011 Outstanding Youth Award was presented to the students of the Villanova University social justice film class (nominated by UCP of Philadelphia & Vicinity), which created a documentary "On the DL”. The documentary follows the lives of two university students, Frank and Nick, who have cerebral palsy. The film depicts Frank and Nick in their daily tasks and as managers of the men’s and women’s division one basketball teams. In their work to show how these two students have to overcome physical as well as social barriers to feel like they belong to the team and to the university, the experience ultimately changed the live of the students in the film class and their community by creating awareness for students without disabilities, about their colleagues with disabilities.
   

• 2011 Universal Accessibility Design Award was presented to John Allen of Southern Construction and Design of Madison, Alabama. In response to the need of one family whose son Casey is quadriplegic with other health issues, the Huntsville/Madison County Home Builder’s Association pledged to build a Universal Design home. The home - dubbed “Casey’s House” - has extensive structural, plumbing and electrical modification including an elevator, a completely accessible bathroom, a battery powered lift chair with track system, video surveillance cameras for monitoring with video and audio recording and streaming capabilities, an environmental control system and many other features that meet Casey’s medical needs. “Casey’s House” has become a model accessible home utilizing Universal Design principles and guidelines as well as creative use of building materials to provide comfort and functionality to Casey and his caregivers. Allen now educates other builders at conferences and speaking engagements to share information on designing and building a Universal Design homes.
  
  

• 2011 Employer of the Year Award was presented to Gone for Good Document Destruction, a coalition of four UCP affiliates- UCP Land of Lincoln, UCP of Greater Birmingham, UCP of Arkansas and UCP of the North Bay, for their continued service in training and employing people with a spectrum of disabilities. The program was also recognized for its capacity to generate revenue and its ability to be successfully replicated in UCP affiliates across the country. This group of winners exemplifies the strength of the affiliate network to collaborate and harness their entrepreneurial spirit in support of a larger goal. 
   

• 2011 the Ethel Hausman Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Charlotte Eddington, (nominated by UCP of Arkansas). Charlotte has been a volunteer with UCP for 38 years and has been instrumental in key fundraising activities including the Arkansas UCP Telethon and annual tennis tournament. Over the years, her efforts have helped to raise more than $2.5 million. In addition, she helps coordinate and serve a Christmas dinner for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in her community. Charlotte exemplifies the spirit of UCP through their endless philanthropy, relentless advocacy and time given to support the UCP mission, helping many to live a life with dignity and respect. 
   

• 2011 Life Without Limits Award was presented to Steve Wampler from Coranado, California, to recognize an individual with disabilities who has demonstrated leadership and achievement of such a caliber as to be a significant role model to people with and without disabilities. Steve embodies what UCP represents- not only living his life without limits, but encouraging others to do the same. In 2002, Steve founded the Wampler foundation, which provides support to organizations helping children with disabilities get outside and have a wilderness adventure. His foundation is a strong supporter of Access Leisure, which provides several outdoor camps for kids with disabilities, and also partners with UCP of Sacramento and Northern California.
  
  To honor the foundation’s mission and to inspire children with disabilities everywhere, Steve became the first man with cerebral palsy to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a 3,000 foot vertical rock, last year. His vision was to conquer the rock, that’s twice the height of the empire state building, to show children with disabilities that they can and should embrace and enjoy the great outdoors. Steve’s personal adventures, requiring perseverance and endurance, have made him a role model for millions with disabilities, and his foundation’s work to enable children to have their own outdoor adventures is truly remarkable. 

During the awards presentation, individuals who volunteered significant time with UCP affiliates were also recognized as Victory 100 winners. In 2009, these included 335 volunteers from 23 UCP affiliates. Each volunteer dedicated at least 100 hours of service by participating on a board, assisting in fundraising activities, and performing other needed volunteer work. This year the Victory 100 winners volunteered a total of 43,612 hours.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP and its nearly 100 affiliates advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. We work to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, we continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ELECTS TWO TO NATIONAL BOARD

SELECKY, TALKIN BRING DEPTH IN MANAGED HEALTH CARE, EXECUTIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONS

Washington, DC (May 4, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, elected new members to its Board of Trustees during its 2011 Annual Conference in New Orleans, La. This included the following additions:

• Christobel Selecky, from Southern California, is a chief executive and entrepreneur with nearly 30 years of experience in the health care industry. She currently provides strategic consulting and advice to management teams, companies, and investors currently in or seeking to enter the healthcare field focusing on strategy and business plan development, disease and care management program development and assessment, sales and market positioning, product planning, public policy analysis and strategy, and CEO/Senior Management advising. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of National Healthcare Services, the venture capital arm of Memorial Healthcare Services, a preeminent, non-profit healthcare system located in Southern California.
   
• Pam Talkin, from Washington, DC, is the tenth Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the first woman to hold the position. Previously, she was the first Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Compliance, the independent regulatory agency created by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, which applied eleven of the nation’s labor and employment laws to Congress. Talkin also served as President of the international Association of Labor Relations Agencies and was a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Talkin was also the Chief of Staff at the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Assistant Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board’s San Francisco Region (Northern California and Hawaii). Additionally, she was the National President of the NLRB Union, which represented over 2,000 professional and clerical employees. 

Coming off the national board is Anne Rader, who has a 20 year career in public policy, strategic planning, advocacy and management consulting in global health, public health, economic development and education within the private, public and non-profit sectors. Rader is currently an Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton supporting global and civil health care issues, within the Public Health and Preparedness team, for Federal and nonprofit client interests. She also serves as a Member of the National Council on Disability, having been appointed to the Council by President George Bush in 2003 and re-appointed in March 2008. She serves as Chair of the Healthcare Team for the Council and the representative to the Interagency Committee on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities.

To view UCP’s Board of Trustees, please visit http://www.ucp.org/about/board.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP and its nearly 100 affiliates advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. We work to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, we continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR, ACTOR RJ MITTE INAUGURATES NEW ROLE AT UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Emmy-nominated AMC drama “Breaking Bad” Actor Commits to Educate, Advocate Life Without Limits for People with Disabilities 

Washington, DC (May 4, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, welcomed its newest Celebrity Ambassador, Actor RJ Mitte, at its 2011 UCP Annual Conference in New Orleans, La. Mitte co-hosted the Opening Reception, presented the Outstanding Youth Award, and participated on a panel about mobilizing the next generation of philanthropists and advocates.

As announced on “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day,” Mitte stars on the Emmy-nominated AMC drama "Breaking Bad." As a UCP Celebrity Ambassador, Mitte is committed to help fulfill UCP’s mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities, supporting UCP’s network of nearly 100 affiliates who provide services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day — one person at a time, one family at a time.

“I am excited to join the United Cerebral Palsy family and am committed to help educate and advocate for people with disabilities to live a life without limits,” said Mitte. “There are so many opportunities for advancing independence and productivity for people with disabilities, and I’m eager to raise awareness to advance UCP’s mission.”

“We are pleased to name RJ as a Celebrity Ambassador of United Cerebral Palsy. UCP believes that all people should be able to live a life without limits. As a young person with a disability, RJ has proven that having a disability cannot and should not hold anyone back,” said Stephen Bennett, United Cerebral Palsy President & Chief Executive Officer. “The civil rights movement is not over, and RJ’s notoriety and voice will help us continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams today and into the future.”               

Mitte’s character on “Breaking Bad,” Walter White Jr., has cerebral palsy. In real life Mitte also has cerebral palsy although it is a milder form than his character on the show. In addition to this new position with UCP, he is involved with several organizations that raise awareness of equality and diversity, and the prevention of bullying. He has been a featured guest speaker at an anti-bullying town hall discussion at the NAPT Annual Conference for school transportation professionals and has begun working with PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention on a national campaign designed to engage and educate those who see bullying - leveraging peer-to-peer support. As a guest speaker at high schools, colleges, and universities around the country, Mitte openly talks about the ways he has overcome obstacles and how he has achieved his goals.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP and its nearly 100 affiliates advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. We work to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, we continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.  

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CONTACTS:

Lauren Cozzi: 202-973-7114 (direct), 

Alicia Kubert Smith: 202-973-7168, 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ELECTS TWO TO NATIONAL BOARD

SELECKY, TALKIN BRING DEPTH IN MANAGED HEALTH CARE, EXECUTIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONS

Washington, DC (May 4, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, elected new members to its Board of Trustees during its 2011 Annual Conference in New Orleans, La. This included the following additions:

• Christobel Selecky, from Southern California, is a chief executive and entrepreneur with nearly 30 years of experience in the health care industry. She currently provides strategic consulting and advice to management teams, companies, and investors currently in or seeking to enter the healthcare field focusing on strategy and business plan development, disease and care management program development and assessment, sales and market positioning, product planning, public policy analysis and strategy, and CEO/Senior Management advising. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of National Healthcare Services, the venture capital arm of Memorial Healthcare Services, a preeminent, non-profit healthcare system located in Southern California.
   
• Pam Talkin, from Washington, DC, is the tenth Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the first woman to hold the position. Previously, she was the first Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Compliance, the independent regulatory agency created by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, which applied eleven of the nation’s labor and employment laws to Congress. Talkin also served as President of the international Association of Labor Relations Agencies and was a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Talkin was also the Chief of Staff at the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Assistant Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board’s San Francisco Region (Northern California and Hawaii). Additionally, she was the National President of the NLRB Union, which represented over 2,000 professional and clerical employees. 
   

Coming off the national board is Anne Rader, who has a 20 year career in public policy, strategic planning, advocacy and management consulting in global health, public health, economic development and education within the private, public and non-profit sectors. Rader is currently an Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton supporting global and civil health care issues, within the Public Health and Preparedness team, for Federal and nonprofit client interests. She also serves as a Member of the National Council on Disability, having been appointed to the Council by President George Bush in 2003 and re-appointed in March 2008. She serves as Chair of the Healthcare Team for the Council and the representative to the Interagency Committee on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities.

To view UCP’s Board of Trustees, please visit http://www.ucp.org/about/board.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP and its nearly 100 affiliates advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. We work to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, we continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.  

# # #

CONTACTS:

Lauren Cozzi: 202-973-7114 (direct), 

Alicia Kubert Smith: 202-973-7168,