The Children's Program of UCP has created its very own chili team: Little Chillies. We are raising funds in support of UCP's Annual Chili Cookoff that takes place on March 3rd, 2024. Doors open to the public at 11:00 am to browse the silent auction, flea market, and concessions. Chili sampling and judging begins at 2:30 pm. We hope to everyone there in support of UCP.

UCP’s Children’s Program provides a wide range of services specifically designed to promote the development and learning of children with special needs from birth to five years of age. Mandy of these services are offered in an integrated setting, where children with all abilities learn and play together. Early intervention services provided by UCP build a foundation for future learning by focusing on all areas of development, including cognitive, communication, fine motor, large motor, self-help skills, and social-emotional development.

UCP’s Early Learning and Preschool sessions are for all children, with or without developmental delay. The Early Learning Experience is for 2-year-old children and preschool classrooms are available for children ages 3-5. Research evidence is very strong that all children benefit from education in integrated settings where children with and without developmental delay play, explore and learn together.

UCP teachers combine their knowledge of child development with research-based techniques and curriculum (Project Construct Curriculum and Emerging Language and Literacy Curriculum) to plan learning experiences and environments that are aligned with Missouri’s Early Learning Standards and that encompass the needs of individual learners.

To find out more about the Children's Program at UCP visit out site here UCP Children's Program

Speech and Language Therapy targets overall communication skills, as well as the necessary prerequisite skills for communication. Our speech therapist and occupational therapist work closely together to evaluate and treat feeding and swallowing disorders.

Malachi has been receiving early intervention speech and language therapy and occupational therapy with UCP for the past 2 years. When Malachi started with UCP he did not have any true words to communicate his wants and needs, leading to increased frustration. He learned to use TouchChat on the communication device to make requests, greet others, request the continuation or cessation of an activity, and label objects. With the use of the communication device, Malachi can communicate with his teachers, peers and participate in all aspects of the classroom more effectively. With the device, he has learned to verbally imitate and it has supported his overall speech and language development.

Occupational Therapy promotes building with blocks to writing and cutting. UCP's occupational therapists are knowledgeable in fine motor dysfunction and can develop activities to build strength and coordination as well as to adapt activities to increase independence and sensory awareness.

Malachi started occupational therapy to address visual motor integration, shoulder strength, hand strength, and fine motor skills that impact overall motor skills. Malachi works on various hand-strengthening activities and hand-eye coordination to improve his play skills. These activities have increased his ability to perform daily tasks more independently such as pulling a cap off a marker/pen, holding a writing utensil, and tracing letters of his name with visual cues.

Malachi’s mom, Krystin, shares that “UCP has been a tremendous blessing for Malachi and our family. We are so thankful for how UCP utilized many resources to find the best communication device that allowed Malachi to tap into his strengths and develop his communication skills through the use of Touch to Chat. We have seen Malachi’s confidence soar through the speech and occupational therapy services he has received at UCP. We are cherishing his growth and excited to continue to watch him flourish.”

Physical Therapy promotes gross motor skills such as sitting, creeping, and walking. Physical Therapists are also a resource for adaptive equipment to increase a child's independence.

Keith, who was born prematurely, started early intervention services after his four-month stay in the NICU. When he began struggling to achieve milestones, such as sitting and holding his head up, he started physical therapy. Keith’s first physical therapy sessions focused on turning his head to both sides, tolerating tummy time, and head control. Eventually, therapy focused on tall knees to transition to pulling up to stand, cruising and using a walker for support, and finally walking independently. Sarah, Keith’s mom, stated, “UCP gave us the knowledge and tools to support Keith’s development and help him move forward despite significant challenges”

As a three-year-old, he continues to have global developmental delays, pediatric feeding disorder and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Therapy involves teaching Keith to use a communication device to allow his communication to expand while addressing speech sound productions and verbal communication.

Keith quickly became adept at using the device. Keith can count, label colors, comment about things in his daily routines, and make requests. It opened up a whole new world of communication for Keith and his family. He continues to work on verbal communication and Keith is now verbalizing several words and expanding his verbal communication. Therapy continues to address oral motor and feeding skills. Although Keith is primarily tube-fed, he can safely take small amounts by mouth. Keith continues to grow and change in exciting ways.

Below you will see a short video regarding the beginning of Keith's journey.