UCP of South Florida Ranked inTop 125 in Training Magazine
Training Magazine recently released their annual list of top companies to work for and Miami Cerebral Palsy Residential Services (MCPRS), an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida, was rated 94th in the nation. This is the first time that MCPRS placed in the top 100 companies. Each year Training Magazine ranks and honors the "Top 125" companies for their Training programs and United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida was one of only two nonprofits on the list. MCPRS also joins Aetna, Aflac, Wells Fargo, QUALCOMM, Best Buy, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, UPS, MGM Mirage and many other Fortune 500 companies in the "Top 125."
Training Magazine, for the 7th year, conducted extensive research for the "Top 125" through a multi-tiered nomination, application and interview process. In many cases, companies are nominated by vendors, while others respond to mass mailings and marketing initiatives targeted at Training Magazine's 45,000-plus circulation base. Companies who wish to be ranked answer a detailed questionnaire providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Training Magazine's editorial staff evaluate the candidates and conduct follow-up interviews, where appropriate.
Accepting the award for UCP of South Florida was Marta Morin, Executive Director of the agency’s Miami Cerebral Palsy Residential Services.
Among her reasons for getting this award, Morin talked about the College of Direct Support (CDS). "Embracing and integrating the College of Direct Support and College of Frontline Supervision and Management in everything we do has been key," Morin said. "This has played a key role in forging ahead with all of our initiatives in attempting to professionalize staff who work in the field of developmental disabilities; to make it a meaningful job that folks can be proud of as a career. There is no doubt CDS has enhanced the lives of the people we serve, along with the lives of our own staff." Further, she said, "I am truly humbled by the experience. I am grateful to our workforce for their enthusiasm and interest in wanting to learn to do the right thing, to improve the lives of the people they serve and wanting to form meaningful career paths within our agency. What makes MCPRS stand out is our strive for excellence and our commitment to offer opportunities for staff to excel and grow while providing the best care possible to individuals with disabilities."
Training Magazine, in listing the factors leading to UCP South Florida’s ranking states, "UCP Miami Residential Services was selected as #94 for their use of the College of Direct Support, which is a Web-based learning management system consisting of over 100 lessons for direct care staff and over 114 lessons in The College of Frontline Supervision and Management available 24/7, enabling learners — Direct Support Professionals, supervisors, and managers — to improve their skills in caring for people living with disabilities. The agency acquired additional computers to allow for greater DSP computer access (many of them do not own computers at home) and arranged flexible work schedules so the staff could take the courses on company time."
The importance of friendship led Elisa Linovitz Snader, a first-grade teacher of 18 years at Village Meadows Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona, to publish a book about disabilities after nearly 20 years of trying to do so.
Snader recently published, "The Wheelchair," a story about a boy that goes to school and sees a girl in a wheelchair and is scared because she appears different. The boy learns that the girl is much more than "the wheelchair." The story is a wonderful example of the importance of looking beyond differences.
Snader's experience working with people with disabilities began with a friend in college, Kimberly Robb, the illustrator of the book, who passed away last year. "Kim was in a wheelchair most of her life from muscular dystrophy," Snader said. "Kim was a great artist even though she could only move from her elbows down. I sent the book to many publishers and was turned down. A few said, because of the pictures."
Snader and Robb met at the University of Arizona. Every morning Snader rode her bike to Robb's apartment to assist her in getting ready for school. The two kept in close contact over the years.
The lesson learned from Snader's book also extends to her classroom. Each year Snader teaches a disability awareness unit. "I want (children) to know everyone is different. To not judge people by the way they look. I want students to learn to accept a person by looking at what a person is like on the inside. I also would like them to be as helpful to others with disabilities as much as possible," said Snader, "I have them perform activities to show what it would be like not to be able to use their arms, legs, and even fingers. I teach them basic sign language, and even have them feel Braille. I'd love to have someone donate a child size wheelchair to add to my lesson."
Snader continues, "I am tired of how I see adults act poorly around people that are disabled. I am hoping if children learn how to accept others with disabilities, it will last for a lifetime," discussing the impact she hopes to make with this book.
This year's conference will be hosted in our Nation's Capital and includes an incredible program and many exciting events.
Some of the topics include:
» Social Networking in a Virtual World
» Our Vote Counts: People with Disabilities in 2008
» I Need Answers Now: Resources for Professionals and Parents of Children, age 0-5
» Accessing Information & Referral in the 21st Century
» And More!
Building on last year's Life Without Limits momentum, we will focus on Believable Hope as we demonstrate how to make this theme a reality. Sessions on a variety of topics—with emphasis on early childhood—will present new technologies and exciting developments.
Early bird registration ends February 25th so don't delay, register today!
Improve Client Relationships Through Social Media The Wall Street Journal, 2/13/08 With the growing popularity of social media platforms MySpace,Facebook and LinkedIn, businesses and nonprofit organizations alike are embracing the technology to build community and strengthen consumer interest.
Happy Mail Club touches hearts of troops overseas The Palm Beach Post, 2/12/08 The valentine makers have severe disorders that make it difficult for them to walk, talk, read or write. Ranging in age from young adults to nearly retirement age, they attend a training program at United Cerebral Palsy of Palm Beach & Mid Coast Counties, where they learn how to shake hands or shrink-wrap a package, skills that most people take for granted.
United Cerebral Palsy to honor board member The Lansing State Journal, 2/9/08 United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan will honor board member Charles Hawes, CPA, for outstanding service.
PGA helps D.J. Gregory realize dream The Monterey County Herald, 2/9/08 Gregory said he is not doing this for attention, and he did not start out intending to raise awareness for cerebral palsy. But a couple weeks ago he decided to attach a link on his blog to the United Cerebral Palsy organization's Web site, on which people can make donations in the form of pledges for the number of miles or holes Gregory walks.
Agency for disabled facing more service cuts Daytona Beach News-Journalonline.com, 2/8/08 "We are already talking about a population that is so incredibly vulnerable," said Barry Pollack, president and chief executive officer of WORC/United Cerebral Palsy in Volusia County. "What would happen if any of these organizations were no longer here? It's a scary time. It feels like we are on the edge of a crisis. We hope the legislators understand what really is going on in the communities."
Ice fishing contest on Wissota to benefit UCP Chippewa.com, 2/8/08 It’s a good thing, too. As executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin, she’s hoping people take part in the first Wissota Winter Classic ice fishing contest at The View on Lake Wissota from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Bill Gets Rid of Term 'Mentally Retarded' in VA WTOP News, 2/8/08 Sen. Patricia Ticer's bill would replace "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with "intellectually disabled" and "intellectual disability."
Bicycling Magazine Lauds First-Year Ride Without Limits Benefiting United Cerebral Palsy PR Newswire, 2/7/08 One of the Ride's participants, Nancy Mercurio, summed it up after her experience on the San Diego Ride Without Limits: "I spent the first 35 miles with a gentleman with Cerebral Palsy. To watch someone ride 50 miles with a disability, to try to open a bottle of Gatorade and drink it without spilling, to speak so that others can understand and at the same time generate such energy...was something I hope I can remember the next time one of life's disappointments comes my way."
UCP seeks corporate and other donors The Hudson Reporter, 2/7/08 From the day Nick Starita started at the UCP of Hudson County - where he has been executive director for 20 years, — he had one goal: to make certain that middle income people didn't have to go broke to provide care if they had a child with disability.
Students learn about disabilities first-hand Indianapolis Star, 2/7/08 Austin was participating with his fourth-grade class in the Everybody Counts program at Cherry Tree Elementary last week.
The program, which involves all grade levels, teaches kids about physical and mental disabilities by making them experience the challenges that come with them, said Barb Dauby, who has coordinated the program at Cherry Tree for five years. Each grade level learns about different disabilities, including visual, hearing and motor impairments.
