Inclusion Advocate

Inclusion Advocate

UCP was founded in 1947 to improve the quality of life for people with Cerebral Palsy. Since then, it has grown into a national organization providing services for individuals with a wide range of disabilities and their families. UCP of Eastern CT works to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities into both the workplace and the community.

Join our team of talented professionals and take your career to the next level while changing the lives of the people we support!

The Inclusion Advocate supports UCP's mission by helping individuals with disabilities access resources, participate in their communities, and increase their independence. This position provides information and support to individuals and families, assists with community outreach activities, and helps coordinate programs and events that promote inclusion and accessibility.

The Inclusion Advocate also supports grant-funded programs, fundraising activities, and partnerships with local organizations. The role helps connect people with available resources, maintains program records, and works with staff and community partners to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout Eastern Connecticut. The food pantry may also be included as part of this role's responsibilities, as needed.

Key Benefits:

• Ongoing training provided!
• Competitive pay
• Health/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Match Program
• Generous PTO policy; accrues immediately upon hire
• Tuition Discounts at select colleges
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

Advocacy & Community Inclusion

• Serve as a resource and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.
• Assist individuals in identifying, accessing, and navigating community resources, benefits, programs, and services.
• Respond to requests for assistance and provide information, referrals, and follow-up support.
• Promote independence, self-advocacy, accessibility, and community inclusion.
• Maintain current knowledge of disability-related programs, community resources, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Research community needs and recommend new resources, services, and initiatives that improve accessibility and inclusion.
• Collaborate with individuals, families, providers, schools, municipalities, healthcare organizations, and social service agencies to improve access to services.

Grant Administration & Program Support

• Assist with the preparation, coordination, submission, and administration of federal, state, foundation, and private grant applications and annual grant renewals.
• Collect, organize, and maintain data necessary for grant applications, reports, and program outcomes.
• Prepare required grant reports, narratives, financial requests, allocation reports, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain grant files, documentation, reporting schedules, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor grant deadlines and assist in ensuring timely completion of reporting and renewal requirements.
• Research potential funding opportunities that support departmental programs and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and Director of Inclusion & Accessibility to support grant-funded programs and maintain funding opportunities.

Food Pantry & Community Resource Coordination

• Assist with daily operations of the UCP Food Pantry.
• Schedule food pantry appointments and coordinate participant visits.
• Maintain pantry inventory and coordinate food ordering, donations, and distribution.
• Develop and maintain partnerships that support food security initiatives.
• Participate in the weekly Gemma food distribution by routinely attending food pickups, transporting food donations to the UCP Food Pantry, organizing inventory, and ensuring food is available for distribution to individuals and families in need.
• Maintain accurate records regarding food pantry participation, inventory, and grant-funded food assistance programs.
• Ensure pantry operations comply with agency policies and applicable food safety standards.

Fundraising & Community Engagement

• Coordinate the planning, logistics, and day-to-day operations of the department's annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
• Assist in developing and coordinating additional fundraising events and community fundraising initiatives.
• Coordinate event registration, sponsor ships, volunteers, vendors, raffle donations, silent auction items, and event logistics.
• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors, donors, businesses, civic organizations, and community partners.
• Assist with sponsorship solicitation and donor stewardship activities.
• Track fundraising revenue, sponsorship commitments, expenses, and event outcomes.
• Prepare post-event summaries and recommendations for future fundraising efforts.

Community Outreach & Partnerships

• Schedule and deliver presentations promoting UCP programs, disability awareness, accessibility, and community inclusion.
• Represent UCP at conferences, community meetings, resource fairs, networking events, and…