Introduction and Practicum
The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) was started by one physician’s quest to learn more information on a complex disease called Cerebral Palsy (Condeluci 1989). This initial physician’s desire to learn more information about Cerebral Palsy after discussing with colleagues, a complete understanding was not achieved (Condeluci 1989). Further consideration of how to rectify this lack of complete understanding led to the formation of a public meeting (Condeluci 1989). An advertisement was published in the New York Times for this open access meeting and 300 patients, family members and healthcare professionals attended (Condeluci 1989). The United Cerebral Palsy is now the most prominent organization nationwide with over 180 affiliates (Condeluci 1989). This inquisitive physician sought to plan the development of this organization by using two important processes goal development and option framing (Nutt 1984). The goal this physician was seeking to accomplish is to educate and provide support for those who care for people that suffer with this puzzling illness.
Caple’s paradigm emphasizes openness and change for growth to occur during a practicum (Miller 1990). Effective coordination of a practicum program requires that the mentor properly recognize when there is a need for change and failure (Miller 1990). The practicum must meet the needs of both the mentor and the mentee and this should be matched closely for maximal results (Miller 1990). A free exchange of ideas must be present for effective communication to occur which enhances the learning experience for both the mentor and mentee (Miller 1990). An effective practicum needs to provide some type of qualitative feedback to the student to maximize learning by the mentee (Miller 1990). The purpose for this practicum is to create a marketing tool for the UCP of south Florida and medium will be a posting at www.scrapblog.com.
UCP purpose, mission, and services
The three major mission of UCP are to educate the public, focus on prevention, and to advocate for services (Condeluci 1989). The UCP defines cerebral palsy as a group of conditions that are characterized by nerve and muscle dysfunction (Condeluci 1989). In its educational pursuits UCP attempts to stress the difference between a disease and a condition as most people associate cerebral palsy as contagious (Condeluci 1989). Over the last 25 years there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of cerebral palsy at birth and a larger percentage are surviving to adulthood (Aisen 2008). Physical findings of cerebral palsy include an awkward gait, loss of balance, seizures, vision, hearing or learning abnormalities (Condeluci 1989). Psychological and behavioral problems are also quite common findings in those afflicted with cerebral palsy (Condeluci 1989). These abnormalities have a greater significance because it is expected that adults with cerebral palsy will be greater than children in the near future (Aisen 2008).
The philosophy of the UCP south Florida that people who suffer with cerebral palsy are defined by the unique qualities not and not the disability itself (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The UCP of south Florida seeks to meet the needs of those afflicted with cerebral palsy in south Florida by developing program and services to maximize independence (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The belief of the UCP south Florida is that regardless of the severity of the disabilities all are entitled to live in a community where one is accepted and treated with dignity and respect (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The mission of the UCP south Florida is to maintain a balance between fostering independence and maintaining safety and dignity for those afflicted (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The goal of UCP south Florida is to continually raise the level of expectation to improve the life of those served (www.ucpsouthflorida.org).
UCP of south Florida is dedicated to the efficient delivery of services to children afflicted with cerebral palsy (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Programs offered by the UCP of south Florida for children afflicted with cerebral palsy: early intervention, early development programs and home bound programs to maximize the independence of those children afflicted (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Early intervention with medical services is important for these children to maximize independence (Condelcui 1989). The early childhood program offered by the UCP of south Florida is designed to enhance the social, physical and emotional development (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). These services are provided and directed by teachers, social workers, and nurses each seeking to use one’s expertise to help a child focus on strengths and improve weaknesses (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Adult services include educational programs, vocational training, and supported employment (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Residential services of UCP of south Florida provide nursing services, placement assistance in intermediate care facilities, and assisted living facilities (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Family services include respite care for family members and afterschool care as well as advocating on behalf of the person’s best interests (www.ucpsouthflorida.org).
The achievement of these goals by the UCP of south Florida will require collaboration between cerebral palsy patient and families, clinicians, scientists and the community (Aisen 2008). To continually raise the level of expectations of people afflicted with cerebral palsy will require research into the pathophysiology, neuroimaging, and enhanced organizational infrastructure (Aisen 2008). Researchers are striving to develop methods to repair the damage done to the motor system of the developing brain (Aisen 2008). Stem cell research in adult onset cerebral palsy has demonstrated some promise in replacing damaged cell and repairing injured cells in (Aisen 2008). Stem cell research for children is still being tested in young animals with experimental brain injury and cerebral palsy (Aisen 2008). The mission of the UCP south Florida is to provide support services to help those afflicted with cerebral palsy to achieve one’s goals and desires (www.ucpsouthflorida.org).
Organizational processes and decision making structure
Strategic marketing principles are very important to the non profit organization and are different than for profit organizations (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003).The key actions of understanding organizational processes are: promoting strategic change, motivation of organizational processes, organizational process impact performance (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003). Non profit organizations have an important role in the satisfaction of human needs which is important in providing the necessary diversity in services (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003). The importance of diversity among United States citizens has grown among importance which has fueled the increase of non profit organizations (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003). Organizational processes are used to assess the adherence to the philosophy, mission and goals and objectives (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003). The presence of research in non profit organizations function is increasing with a special emphasis on governance, performance, funding, and strategic planning (Katsioludes & Tymon 2003).
Traditional measures advocated by the UCP that have been used to treat people afflicted with cerebral palsy have included: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and pharmacological agents and surgery (Condeluci 1989). These are designed to increase the overall functioning of the person afflicted and are not curative (Condeluci 1989). Organizational processes must have clear and concise goals which are strategically described by objectives and methods of service delivery (Daughtery 2003). The objective of the process for service effective service delivery and are based on solving the identified problem (Daughtery 2003). All organizational processes should be based on upholding the mission and purpose of the organization (Daughtery 2003). The organizational leadership must seek to examine the strengths and weakness of its staffing, services, financial stability, and public relations (Daughtery 2003). Organizational processes are an internal method of auditing to ensure full compliance with ethical standards (Daughtery 2003).
The staff of the UCP of south Florida is lead by a chief executive officer (CEO) the chief executive officer is the ultimate leader of the organization (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The daily operation of the organization is led by the chief operating officer (COO) and the financial management is lead by a chief financial officer (CFO). This executive leadership trio is flanked by several executive directors which manage the daily operation of each organizational division (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The UCP was developed under the empowerment model which seeks to provide management of the services by the afflicted person (Condeluci 1989). The philosophy of the UCP is to integrate those with cerebral palsy into mainstream society with support and assistance to maintain an independent lifestyle (Condeluci 1989). This occurs through a process called social valorization which attempts to restructure an afflicted person experiences and allowing independent locus of control (Condeluci 1989).
Financial Stability of the UCP of south Florida
The following programs financially support the UCP of South Florida are the Children’s Trust, agency for person’s disabilities, community foundation of Broward County, Children Services council of Broward County, Florida Department of Children and family services (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The UCP regardless of the location depends on income through payment sources such as Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, and community fundraising (Bulgaro 1996). This income must meet or exceed expenses from the programs that serve the population of those afflicted with cerebral palsy, overhead, and the salaries of the staff managing the organization (Bulgaro 1996). The UCP is considered a non profit organization and is tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) IRC section 503 (3) (Bulgaro 1996). The UCP of South Florida employs accountant which manage and track the sources of funding and provide documentation of continued non profit status (Bulgaro 1996).
Based on the 2007 report on the UCP of south Florida which is available on the website the revenues were $38,759,323 and expenses were $39, 293,683 (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The state was responsible for 77.28% of the revenue, the counties within the service area is provides 6.83% of funding, less than 1 percent is received from the federal government (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). Other sources such as fund raising consist of approximately 8% of the revenue (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The majority of the revenue received is spent for expenses on programs designed to serve the population that has cerebral palsy (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). The programs supported by the UCP of south Florida are: Early childhood care centers, adult day training, transitional learning academy, and supported employment, day program for fragile adults, advocacy, adult services, residential services, supported living program, and home respite care (www.ucpsouthflorida.org).
SWOTT Analysis
A SWOTT analysis is a strategic planning process where an organization critically analyzes its policies and processes and compare with competitors to improve financial viability (Pickton & Wright 1998). A SWOTT analysis seeks to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and trends of the industry which affects the key issues impacting business practices (Pickton & Wright 1998). The objective of a SWOTT analysis is to focus the organizational leaders to focus on key issues which impact the organization ability to conduct business (Pickton & Wright 1998). Businesses continually seek ways to improve processes to be successful and maintain financial viability (Pickton & Wright 1998). Organizations use strategic planning to maintain an edge on one’s competitors which ultimately results in continued growth (Pickton & Wright 1998). A SWOTT analysis is a deliberate, sequential, systematic process by collection data on internal and external influences that impact the function of an organization (Pickton & Wright 1998).
Strengths
The UCP of south Florida is a subsidiary of a large and influential organization that seeks to promote education, and provide services for people afflicted with cerebral palsy. The mission of the UCP is to promote government awareness and provide support services for those afflicted (Condeluci 1989). The mission statement for the UCP of south Florida is to positively impact the people with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities by providing support services (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). It is important for public perception that all services an organization provides are directly linked to the mission statement (Daughtery 2003). It is the organizational leader’s responsibility to ensure that only activities that assist the organization in fulfilling its mission are approved (Daughtery 2003). The services described on the UCP south Florida website demonstrate that the organization is delivery services that are consistent with the mission statement. Effective communication to the staff of the organizations mission is crucial to the continuation of services that are directly related to the mission of the organization (Daughtery 2003).
Weaknesses
Although there is financial support for this organization but this support may wane in periods of economic decline. The financial report from the 2007 fiscal year demonstrated that expenses were greater than revenues (www.ucpsouthflorida.org). An organization is unable to maintain increasing services to its population without proper financial support. When governmental funding is reduced the organizations revenue is reduced which inhibits the ability to effectively provide services for this population (Bulgaro 1996). Although there has been a decline of congenital cerebral palsy there has been an increase in accidental or traumatic causes of cerebral palsy which has led to an increase in demand for services. Although some people with cerebral palsy will not have any functional limitation and will not require many services there will be a larger percentage of the population that has multiple limitations and will require multiple services (Condeluci 1989).
Opportunities
Stem cell research will provide many opportunities to provide to change the method cerebral palsy is treated. The treatment paradigm will shift from supportive costing a significant amount of money over the long term to a significant expense short term but with long term clinical benefits (Aisen 2008). This research will improve the quality of life for the cerebral palsy patient which is the goal for all who are afflicted with a chronic disease (Aisen 2008). The role of UCP in legislation can significantly impact the research agenda and lead to the development of new opportunities, mandate education and influence lawmakers to increase governmental funding for the UCP (Condeluci 1989). This increase in people with diagnosed cerebral palsy can increase the financial burden of the organization and can also increase the leverage to ascertain more funding to continue providing services (Aisen 2008).
Threats
The revenue inconsistency can provide difficulty for the UCP of south Florida to continue to meet the demands required by the population’s multiple needs. These needs are both supportive with providing services to foster maximal independence and the researcher’s quest to find a cure which is desired by all parties involved (Bulgaro 1996). This financial tension also can inhibit UCP’s ability to provide for long term costs which can lead to a decreased ability to provide up to date technology for those afflicted (Bulgaro 1996). Long term capital needs remain addressed due to the need to maintain short term services which is compounded by the increasing incidence of cerebral palsy. Governmental funding is being decreased and during this economically difficult time corporate giving to UCP is stable at best and declining in some cases (Bulgaro 1996). The long term savings of teaching and utilizing high cost technology has not been a factor in the amount of federal funding because such items are considered a luxury and not a necessity (Bulgaro 1996).
Trends
With the rapidly rising costs of healthcare and the substantial increase in healthcare services organizations must consider rationing access to all services which will help the UCP remain financially solvent and able to provide basic services to all who need it. Society places substantial value on the access to costly technological advantages which at time do not have a significant benefit clinically or financially (Floyd 2003). The American culture has become very litigious and organizations have become very defensive about providing equal access to services which has increased the overall cost of healthcare (Floyd 2003). Guidelines are being developed to manage the use of expensive technology to restrict access to certain expensive treatment to the segment of the population which needs it the most (Floyd 2003).
Conclusion
This is an exciting time for the UCP of south Florida because the treatment of cerebral palsy is on the brink of undergoing radical changes. With these radical changes improving the quality of life for these patients provide new challenges of education, rationing, and financial solvency which will have to be negotiated by the organizational leadership. The UCP is focused on its mission to improve the lives of those afflicted which will lead to new solutions for these new upcoming problems.
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