UCP WORK, Inc. Blog

Chris Benedict is a 37-year-old individual with cerebral palsy working independently as a DJ in Santa Barbara, California, and is served through the Business Support Program of UCP WORK, Inc., a service and job placement provider for adults with disabilities on the Central Coast.

Congress designates each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). In an effort to educate our followers about issues related to disability and employment, UCP WORK, Inc. is sharing "on the job" stories of individuals placed through its Employment Services, featuring that employee's unique skills, and including the many hiring benefits for employers. We celebrate NDEAM and the fact that it's what a person can do on the job that matters.

UCP WORK, Inc. can help businesses learn how to be inclusive of people with disabilities, benefit from a wider pool of talent and skills, and tap into a growing market, since people with disabilities represent the third largest market segment in the U.S. 

Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. It is agencies like UCP WORK, Inc. that continue to emphasize the essential role people with disabilities play in the economic success of the workplace and our communities.  UCP WORK, Inc. works everyday with local businesses to further strengthen independence, job skills training, and integrated employment growth for all persons served. To educate our followers about our commitment to an inclusive work culture, UCP WORK, Inc. will be highlighting individuals we serve who work independently and successfully in integrated employment positions throughout the Tri-County. Look for NDEAM featured blog stories each week!

UCP WORK, Inc. is honored to announce that as of September 17, 2019, Santa Barbara Art Works has been awarded a Community Arts Grant on behalf of the City of Santa Barbara and the County Office of Arts and Culture for the 2019-2020 cycle.

Today's UCP WORK, Inc. Staff Spotlight is on Samantha Demangate, new Case Manager, at Applied Abilities Program in the Westside Neighborhood Center, Santa Barbara location. She is responsible for assisting, developing and achieving the goals of all persons served in the agency's South County area. Learn more about Samantha and her valuable role at UCP WORK, Inc with this Q&A...

Did you know that the UCP WORK, Inc. Group Supported Employment Program brings people with developmental disabilities together with similar interests and training needs, places them in supported work sites, and fulfills contracts with public agencies and private companies? The program participants benefit by working in a supported community atmosphere and by earning a meaningful wage.

Today’s UCP WORK, Inc. Staff Spotlight is on Victoria Martinez, new Program Coordinator for Supported Living Services in Santa Maria. Through the UCP WORK, Inc. Supported Living Programs, individuals receive a variety of support services based on their preferences and needs. Some examples of those services that Victoria helps to coordinate are: Apartment and house search, housemate matching, banking and budgeting, shopping and meal preparation, housekeeping, accessing community resources, socialization, and much more.

Learn more about Victoria and her valuable role at UCP WORK, Inc...

Rosie Salazar, Employment Specialist for UCP WORK, Inc., North County, specializes in placing individuals with developmental disabilities in internships and jobs throughout Santa Maria. The individuals she places have “graduated” from UCP WORK, Inc’s Braided Services Program, a skills training service that is offered to participants that choose employment opportunities within the community. 

Last July, the UCP WORK, Inc. Power Soccer Team, the Rollin’ Rebels, was gifted with a grant of $40,000, for the purchase of four new Strike Force Power wheelchairs.  Known as the “Ferrari” of power wheelchairs and said to outperform every other power wheelchair on the market, it’s designed with a low center of gravity, wide wheelbase, customized center mount joystick, and is able to spin kick with more power.