On Saturday, April 13, 2019 members of the Crean College faculty joined President Struppa at the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Orange County annual “Life Without Limits” gala. Crean was honored with the 2019 Impact Award for its outstanding student training and work with children affected by Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. The ceremony took place at The Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

The UCP of Orange county is a nonprofit organization that helps children with disabilities reach their full potential and improves the quality of life for their families. Alongside community partners, like Chapman University, it has served families in Orange County for over 65 years. Through a longstanding internship program with the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, UCPOC has helped educate the next generation of Marriage and Family Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech-Language Therapists to provide much needed services to children with disabilities. Dr. Emmanuel John, Dr. Grant-Beuttler, Dr. Susan Duff, Dr. Naveen Jonathan, and Dr. Judy Montgomery are some of the faculty who work closely with this organization.

As a part of UCP’s and Crean College partnership, last year alone UCP provided 150,000 hours of direct, life-changing services to over 6,000 children and family members through six core programs. These programs include early intervention, therapy, respite caregiving, inclusive childcare, recreation, and family support services. As one of the only organizations in the area providing comprehensive services to children with disabilities, UCPOC is dedicated to making services accessible to as many families as possible.

Dr. Naveen Jonathon said “It was wonderful to be with faculty and administrators from PT and CSD at the UCP Gala. The MFT program has had the opportunity to work with families affected by CP for almost two years. This experience has touched our lives and taught us the resilience of families.”

“The program is especially meaningful to our students because they can work inter-professionally with PT’s and OT’s, often in the large gyms and activity rooms that UCP has created for their clients” said Dr. Judy Montgomery.