Support, Education, and Therapy…
All in One Place.
SUPPORT
UCP offers support for children and families. Our goal is to be a resource for families and our community by providing opportunities for each child to learn, grow and excel. Further, our licensed mental health counselor works closely with our campus teams to provide families with children who have special needs the necessary tools for navigating the development of each child and helping to build a foundation for success. Support services may include:
- Advocacy
- Information and referrals
- Individual and family counseling
- Supportive Counseling Program
- Family support and training meetings
- Family Fun Nights and festivals
For more information on support services, click here.
EDUCATION
UCP offers academics where learning and growth is the goal; where children with and without disabilities have the opportunity to be successful; where inclusion is the norm not the exception; and where parents play a huge part in our multi-disciplinary approach to whole-child growth and development.
- UCP of Central Florida is a tuition free public charter school
- Free for eligible children through a variety of funding options
- Infant, toddler and preschool programs
- Pre-K through third grade charter schools
- Free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)
- Middle and high school charter school
- College Transition Program for ages 18 – 21
- Home early intervention
- Before and after-school enrichment
- Summer camps and enrichment programs
- Inclusion program for children with and without disabilities at all six campus locations.
For more information on education services, click here.
THERAPY
UCP’s therapy programs offer comprehensive Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy with highly credentialed and certified therapists. For decades our team has helped tens of thousands of parents find answers for their children starting at birth to age 21. Our therapy team witnesses miracles happening every day as children whose parents were told their child would never walk take their first steps; or children who were never suppose to speak, say their first word; or children who have never socialized, make their first friend. Come be a part of the countless happy stories that we see at UCP. Therapy highlights include:
- Physical, Speech, Occupational and other specialty therapies
- Children birth to age 21
- Out-patient therapy available at all six locations as well as during school hours for students at UCP
- Medicaid, insurance and private pay accepted
- Other funding sources available
- Physician and community referrals welcome
For more information on therapy services, click here.
Our Team
UCP is Central Florida’s gateway to support, education and therapy services for children of all abilities between the ages of birth to 21. With over 300 team members from a variety of disciplines including educators, therapists and mental health counselors as well as endless individuals who serve in a support role, UCP has more than 55 years of experience in helping children and their families in our community. Combine the level of excellence with a passion and commitment to offering hope to everyone touched by a disability, and you’ll agree UCP’s team members are truly the experts for children with special needs. Below is a listing of UCP’s Leadership team and directors. For additional information on our team members and team member opportunities, click here.
Executive Leadership Staff
Dr. Ilene E.Wilkins
President and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)
Dr. Ilene E. Wilkins is the president and CEO of UCP of Central Florida and oversees all areas of the agency. Wilkins holds a doctorate in education, exceptional education from the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and math from New York University. She came to UCP in 1995 as the Downtown Orlando/Holloway campus director and was promoted to president in 2002. Prior to her employment with UCP, Wilkins was executive director for the Massachusetts Association of Professional Foster Care.
Melissa Killian
Senior Director of Human Resources
Mellissa Killian, senior director of human resources, is responsible for maximizing the effectiveness of the organization's employees while minimizing financial risk in an effective, legal, fair and consistent manner. With approximately 300 employees, Killian and the human resources department focus on implementing sound policies and action plans that allow and provide employees to opportunity to grow and succeed. Killian has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has received various certificates in the HR field. Currently she is working toward her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification. Killian’s areas of specialty include benefits administration, employee relations, training & development, risk management and safety and loss prevention.
Martha Mannarino
Senior Director of Development and Marketing
Martha Mannarino is responsible for leading the development and execution of innovative marketing strategies with specific objectives to drive revenue, new client acquisition, and client retention. She oversees UCP’s development, communications, marketing initiatives, media relations, branding, and events. Martha has over 18 years in creative marketing management with expertise in organizational growth and profitability. Martha graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications. Most recently, Martha worked with The Florida Easter Seals Society as a fundraising and events professional. In addition, she has been a volunteer with UCP since 1995. Martha was also the Marketing Director for Simon Property Group, the world’s largest real estate investment trust (REIT), at The Florida Mall and Seminole Towne Center Malls in Central Florida.
Marni Stahlman
Senior Director of Operations
Marni Stahlman is Senior Director of Operations and directs UCP's operations for all seven of UCP’s campuses. Joining UCP in July, 2009 she was promoted from Senior Director of Development at UCP to her new position in February 2011. Prior to joining UCP, Marni has been a professional consultant specializing in organizational maturity, fund and membership expansion, and management and alliance enrichment to associations and small business. Marni was formerly co-founder and Vice President of Health, Education and Development for QualKids Corp., a medical and education content and curriculum platform to child development providers. Prior to that she was the C.E.O. of ValueMark Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Orlando. She currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Educational Facilities Authority for Orange County, is a member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Ninth Circuit and a Florida Supreme Court appointee to the Florida Bar's Citizen's Forum. In 1997 the Orlando Business Journal selected her as one of the city’s “40 Under 40.”
Irma J. Rosa
Senior Director of Therapy Practices
Irma J. Rosa is senior director of therapy practices and oversees the functions, training, and practices associated with UCP’s physical, speech, and occupational therapy programs. She has a degree in physical therapy from the University of Puerto Rico and holds a Neuro-Developmental Treatment certification in pediatrics. In 2007, Rosa was recognized as one of Therapy Times “Most Influential People”. Rosa has more than 20 years of experience in therapy services and was a physical therapist at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women prior to joining UCP. Before moving to Florida, Rosa was the coordinator for physical therapy services at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus Pediatric Clinic and an academic instructor for third year physical therapy students.
Ellie Hauser, LMHC
Director of Supportive Counseling
Ellie Hauser is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and provides the families of UCP, and our community, with a place to locate resources and information on how to cope with the many challenges they face. She has been employed at UCP since 2000 and has developed, implemented and enhanced the Supportive Counseling Program which not only serves UCP families but all of Central Florida.
Hauser has been licensed by the state of Florida since 1992 and is also a certified addiction professional and trauma specialist. She is a trained first responder and has worked earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and Ground Zero (9-11). In addition to counseling families and siblings, Hauser also provides consultations and workshops on many subjects to church groups, community organizations, physicians, attorneys, etc. in the Central Florida community.
Tony Rodriguez
Director of Faciliites
Tony Rodriguez is responsible for ensuring safety of staff, children, families and volunteers at UCP’s six campuses. Rodriguez joined UCP in 2000 and has years of experience in construction, repair, and maintenance from working in public school systems in Connecticut and Massachusetts. His highest accomplishments include assisting the design and construction team that built UCP’s Pine Hills and new East Orange/Bailes Campus. In addition to general maintenance and building requests, Rodriguez is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationship with outside vendors and Orange County Public Schools, fire, safety and health personnel.
Maria Caban
Admissions Director
Maria Caban is responsible for the agency’s centralized intake and admissions process and serves as a key business partner to the executive leadership team of the organization. Maria executes the workflow strategies for UCP of Central Florida with key area of focus in centralized intake management, classroom and therapy optimization and capacity growth. Maria started with UCP in 2004 as a lead teacher assistant and has been dedicated to help families throughout the Central Florida community. She is a member of the Hispanic Leadership Council and a committed advocate for the Hispanic community.
Doshia Walker
Director of Billing
Doshia M. Walker is responsible to oversee and execute operations strategies in UCP of Central Florida’s centralized billing department with key areas of focus on billing controls and ensuring accurate collection of receivables for all seven locations. Walker joined UCP in 2009 and has 19 years of experience in multi-specialty physician groups and hospital operations relating to medical coding, billing, auditing and reimbursement management.She is a member of AAPC.
Campus and School Administrators
Downtown Orlando/Holloway Campus
Lillian Flores
School Administrator
lflores@ucpcfl.org
Dr. Bruce Blake Ed. D.
Transitional Learning Academy
School Administrator
bblake@ucpcfl.org
East Orange/Bailes Campus near UCF
Anna O'Connor-Morin
School Administrator
amorin@ucpcfl.org
Campus Business Manager
To Be Determined
Dr. Bruce Blake, Ed.D
College Transition Program
bblake@ucpcfl.org
Kissimmee/Osceola Campus
Ana Velez
School Administrator
avelez@ucpcfl.org
Gabriela Tortolero
Campus Business Manager
gtortolero@ucpcfl.org
Pine Hills Campus
Brenda Korpi
School Administrator
bkorpi@ucpcfl.org
Debra Cryer
Campus Business Manager
dcryer@ucpcfl.org
Lake Mary/Seminole Campus
Marife Gomez
School Administrator
mgomez@ucpcfl.org
Winter Garden/West Orange Campus
Marilyn Martinez
School Administrator
mmartinez@ucpcfl.org
Debra Cryer
Campus Business Manager
dcryer@ucpcfl.org
Our Boards
Board of Directors
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, UCP of Central Florida has a governing Board of Directors that governs all agency operations. Additionally, there is a Charter School Board that focuses on the individual Charter Schools.
UCP believes that quality leadership, provided by a responsible board, is essential for its ongoing success and well being. While board members are not involved in the day to day operation of UCP’s campuses, board members are vitally necessary in determining policies, overseeing and assuring financial success and in establishing and maintaining community relationships. As a volunteer, Board of Directors provide fiduciary and legal oversight for the organization and helps secure the resources necessary to advance UCP's mission. The basic responsibilities of the agency Board of Directors are:
- Policy Setting
- Marketing/Public Awareness
- Fiscal Management
- Risk Management
- Advocacy
On the fourth Thursday of each month, UCP of Central Florida’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee alternate meetings. The meetings take place at 4:30 p.m. at our Downtown Orlando/Holloway Campus. For more information, please call (407) 852-3302.
Officers
| Chair |
Didier Menard |
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CH2M Hill |
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| Chair-Elect |
Paul Brown |
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Smith Barney |
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| Immediate Past-Chair |
Mike Meadors |
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WKMG |
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| Members at Large |
Kelly lafferman |
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Tavistock Group |
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Butch Devlin |
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ABC Fine Wine & Spirits |
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Dan Tarczynski |
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SCHENKELSHULTZ |
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Tony F. Sos |
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Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna, Ruffier & Sos, LLP |
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Lynn Fleeger |
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Spectrum Public Relations |
Members
Lynne Bradford
Equity Loans, Inc. |
Kim Kainz
Wells Fargo Private Bank |
Maureen Brockman
Metro Orlando EDC |
Sean Lyles
Waste Management Inc. |
Leslie Candes
Holland & Knight, LLP |
Stephanie Mellenberndt
Orlando Magic |
Barry Chudakov
The Chudakov Company |
Terry Murphy
BlueCross BlueShield of Florida |
Allison Crocker
MBA Student Rep, Rollins College |
Tony Ruben
Inflection Point Consulting |
Kathy Downs
Robert Half Finance and Accounting |
Angela Salva
SIMETRI, Inc |
Steve Garner
Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa |
Dan Sherfield
Bags and Cars, Inc. |
James Hendrix
The Legacy Companies |
Rob Slavkin
Akerman Senterfitt |
Jeffrey Jones
Littler Mendelson P.C. |
Will Wellons
Wellons Communications |
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Charter School Board
As a public Charter School, UCP of Central Florida is required to have an all-volunteer board of directors for our Charter Schools to ensure that its operations continue to focus on serving the public. UCP’s volunteer Charter School board of directors provides feedback and suggestions to assist in the success of the Charter School programs of UCP of Central Florida. Some of the basic responsibilities include:
- School Improvement: Health and Safety, Facilities, Curriculum, Staffing
- Related Services (nursing, therapy)
- Charter School Finances
- Public Awareness/Marketing of School
- Parent Involvement/Volunteering
- Legislative Education
- Special Projects
The Charter School board seeks to represent the diverse Charter Schools it serves with representation from parents from each of the UCP Charter School campuses. Additionally, members of the community with education and programmatic expertise are invited to participate.
The Charter School Board of Directors meets bi-monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month at our Downtown Orlando/Holloway Campus. For more information, please call (407) 852-3302.
Charter School Board Members include:
CHAIR: Angela Salva, SIMETRI, Inc.
VICE CHAIR: Kathi Myers
TREASURER: Carla Holoman, JHT
Members:
Sean Lyles, Waste Management, Inc.
Christine Taylor
Darline Vance
Michael Wemert, Wemert & Associates
