UCP Heartland

06/01/2026

Our first Parent Navigation & Support Group meeting is this Sunday, June 7th, at 1 PM at our Oak Tree Respite home!

Join us as we guide families through available disability services, especially the Department of Mental Health, and provide support, resources, and space for shared experiences.

Register via email to [email protected]

📅Sunday, June 7th
🕐1:00 PM
📍450 Oak Tree Drive, St. Louis, MO 63119

05/29/2026

Our clients at Oak Tree Respite home had a blast at our Memorial Day BBQ, making tie-dye shirts and enjoying games, great food, fun, and time with friends! ❤️🤍💙

05/28/2026

WE’RE HIRING: Director of Residential Services

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate leader to oversee residential programs supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across multiple locations.

What You’ll Do:
• Lead Residential Program Managers and DSP teams
• Ensure quality care and regulatory compliance
• Build strong relationships with guardians and families
• Oversee staffing, budgets, training, and operations
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and inclusion

Join our mission-driven organization where your leadership makes a difference every day. Apply now: ucpheartland.org/careers/

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

At UCP Heartland, we are so proud to have amazing Board Members who support us everyday!

Meet our Board Chair, Jennifer Bierling! Jen works as the Senior Vice President of Payer Operations & Service at Zelis. She is also a Washington University alum.

Jen has been very involved in supporting UCP Heartland for years. Before recently becoming the Board Chair, she served as the Chair elect. She has also previously served as a Gala Co-Chair for the Gala in 2023 and 2024.

Aside from providing leadership to UCP Heartland's largest yearly fundraising event and to the Board of Directors, Jen is a passionate advocate for UCP Heartland and improving the lives of our clients.

We are so grateful to have Jennifer on our Board!

05/26/2026

Field Day was a splash-tastic success at our ABA clinic! From games and bubbles to splash pad fun and yummy snacks, everyone had an amazing time.🍧🫧

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! We are CLOSED May 25th.

We honor and remember the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

05/21/2026

NOW HIRING: Residential Program Manager

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Join our Residential Services team as a Program Manager and help lead compassionate, person-centered care across multiple residential sites.

What You’ll Do:
- Lead and mentor Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
- Ensure quality care, safety, and compliance standards
- Support implementation of Individualized Support Plans (ISPs)
- Provide leadership, coaching, and operational oversight
- Collaborate with families, guardians, and care teams
- Assist with staff scheduling, documentation, and training
- Promote independence, dignity, and community inclusion for clients

📩 Apply today: ucpheartland.org/careers/

05/20/2026

May is National Water Safety Awareness Month!

Whether it’s bathtime, swimming, jumping in puddles or simply splashing around at the beach, water-play remains a common favorite activity among kids, especially those with autism. Unfortunately, water also carries significant risk.

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death among the general pediatric population, especially those younger than 4 and teens. For children with autism, the risk of drowning is 160 times that of the general pediatric population, according to a 2017 study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Given these data, it is extremely important to enroll your child into swimming lessons as early as possible. For those with autism, additional considerations include wandering prevention.

Parents can use social stories to educate them about water safety, trusted adults, and to never walk away from a trusted adult or enter water alone. You can also use visual schedules to help demonstrate when it’s time for water play or swimming.

To learn more about water safety tips & drowning prevention, visit: nationalautismassociation.org/watersafety/ and nwsm.phta.org