When a child is diagnosed with a disability, the entire family is changed and must adapt. Parents and siblings often experience strong emotional responses that should be addressed in productive, helpful ways. UCP offers many special programs and services to meet the needs of parents and families.

• Information and Referral provides information on therapies, recreation, programs and other services available to Orange County residents. Call us at (714) 200-2628 or email us with your questions.
• Parent Connection links parents/caregivers with another parent of a child with special needs to offer emotional support and assistance in understanding diagnoses, accessing services and navigating the system. We have more than 300 trained parent volunteers in Orange County. Contact Melissa Jones at (714) 200-2645 for more information or email us.
• Community Education informs groups from school-aged children to parents to business leaders about developmental disabilities, inclusion models, best practices, community resources and UCP’s programs and services. If you would like us to speak at an upcoming gathering, call Kathleen McFarlin at (714) 200-2613 or send the request via email.
• Swap Meet provides parents in need of items for their special needs child with a listing of equipment other families want to sell or give away. For a list of current Swap Meet items, click here. To add your items to the list, call Janet Winter at (714) 200-2628 or email us a description of the item(s) and how families can contact you.