UCP Pittsburgh was founded in 1951 and is chartered to serve Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh. Growing from a small diagnostic clinic linked to Children's Hospital, UCP/CLASS is now a major rehabilitation agency in the county.
Initially, we focused our efforts on programs for school age and preschool children. As similar services developed in the Pittsburgh area, we shifted focus to much needed adult programs. We currently offer residential services, attendant care, community skills training, vocational programs, outreach and advocacy. Community Skill-Building and Residential Supports programs both began in 1975. Specialized services for persons with brain injuries began in 1984. Our Howard Whitehouse Independent Living Center opened in the same year and our Supported Employment program opened in 1986. The Whitehouse Center closed its doors in 1995 resulting from a successful transition of all residents into community-based living arrangements.
Community outreach is an important part of our service system. Since 1965 we have offered information, referral and community follow along services through our Elks Home Service Nurse. A team of case managers/community partners was developed in 1986 to provide support to UCP Pittsburgh graduates and others in the community who request assistance.
In 1995, UCP Pittsburgh recommitted itself to families and children issues. We launched the Family Advocacy Network, ran Project Success and the UCP Kids Project. In 1997, UCP restructured its organization into three interlocked 501(c)3 corporations. The three corporations are the UCP Parent Corporation- UCP Pittsburgh's service entity known as Community Living and Support Services (CLASS) and the UCP Foundation.
The Board of Directors represents all aspects of the Pittsburgh community and we employ approximately 1,250 staff members directly and indirectly. The agency budget is over 29 million dollars with funding coming DPW, United Way, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Allegheny County Department of Federal Programs, Mental Health/Mental Retardation Office, Office of Long Term Care, contracts with private organizations and private insurance. UCP is the 3rd largest disability provider in Western PA.
In 2003, as part of the home ownership program through Residential Services, UCP of Pittsburgh had opened its first Smart Home. The main feature of this home is that it is completely accessible and exceeds ADA Standards. In 2008, UCP of Pittsburgh had begun the planning stages of building a new Smart Home. In 2009, UCP of Pittsburgh will begin the construction of two side-by-side townhomes that will also be extremely accessible.
In 2009, UCP of Pittsburgh has begun its transformation into UCP/CLASS. As the number of people served continued to grow, UCP of Pittsburgh had begun to spread into different service areas. Therefore, UCP of Pittsburgh decided to change its name to UCP/CLASS so that it is no longer associated with just the Pittsburgh Area.
UCP/CLASS continues to grow by leaps and bounds in order to dedicate itself to Empowering People. Creating Communities.
UCP/CLASS
4638 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 683-7100 - Fax: (412) 683-4160
E-Mail: info@ucpclass.org
© UCP/CLASS 2009 - Term & Conditions
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