Jen’s role at UCPNB has grown continuously since she was hired in 2010 as an aide at Cypress School, and she is now a valued member of the organization’s leadership team. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from CSU Chico in 2004. Her senior internship consisted of designing, organizing and conducting therapeutic recreation activities for John Muir Health Medical Center in Concord, CA, and implementing effective programs for young children with disabilities in programs within the United States Army in Bamberg and Landstuhl Germany. Before coming to UCPNB, Jen had a wealth of experiences with individuals with disabilities, including work as a counselor, respite care provider, assistant director, and Camp Director for Recreation services for Easter Seals’ Camp Harmon, as well the ARC of Butte County, and the Boys and Girls Club of Petaluma. She developed exceptional skills regarding designing and implementing effective programs; behavior management; recruiting, hiring, training and supervising staff and volunteers; handling finances; making and implementing a budget; and community outreach.

Over the last 13 years with UCPNB, Jen has taken on increasing leadership and management responsibilities, while continuing to be closely involved with creating and expanding quality recreation programs for individuals with disabilities across the service area. She has partnered with ETC to create opportunities for kayaking and rafting, as well as continuing to support and grow UCPNB’s camps for children and adults. Importantly, she has been instrumental in securing Regional Center funding for all UCPNB’s camps, so that client families now have needed financial assistance.

More broadly, Jen’s duties include supervising the operation of all UCPNB’s adult day programs, as well as designing, implementing, directing, and evaluating fundraising plans and events and activities, including having a major role in organizing our annual fundraiser, Wine Country Carnival. She envisioned and created a free annual community event in partnership with other local non-profits that has proven to be one of our most popular, called “Wheely Fun Day.” Here, participants can try out a variety of “wheely” equipment and enjoy food and other activities contributed by event collaborators. In addition to continuing to develop her program design, budgeting, personnel, and community outreach skills, she has been closely involved with ongoing licensing requirement monitoring and annual agency CARF accreditation preparation, ensuring UCPNB compliance with the highest health and human service provider standards.