UCP announces our newest EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT segment on Katie Fiander, Director of the Pioneer Valley. In her role at UCP, Katie directs all of the various Department of Developmental Services and MassAbility contracts in Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties. This can encompass Adult Family Care, ABI/MFP Waiver, MassAbility Community Living, Agency with Choice, Intensive Flexible Family Supports, as well as other state programs. In her free time, Katie is an avid fan of jam bands and enjoys attending any summer concert series.

Edited for clarity.

What brought you to UCP of Western Massachusetts?

I was looking for something new and I met with Jennifer Summers, Senior Director of Program Operations. UCP was looking to expand their Family Services out into the Pioneer Valley. I was really excited about the individualized creative approaches that UCP encourages for the members.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I’d say my favorite times are the opportunities we can provide an activity to get our members together all in the same place. Like our Karaoke Club group or our new Art Club group in Belchertown. Sometimes our individuals just like to meet up to take a walk or share a meal or do something together. So, I really enjoy that.

2024 was the first time our Pioneer Valley joined us for summer camp. How did that go?

That’s one example. I also tend to have a knack with children on the spectrum and with at least getting them to have some means of communication before they exit our program. They may not necessarily all be verbal, they may be using pictures or an AAC (augmented alternative communication) device or gestures to get their needs met. I have a pretty good success rate with getting them a little bit verbal by the time they’re done with the program.

What has kept you with UCP specifically?

We had a great time. Several of our Valley members came out. They were very excited about it. One of our guys caught the first fish that summer and keeps talking about it! He asks about when he gets to go back. It was a big deal.

Other members kept saying things throughout camp that were pretty awesome.

Like what?

“This isn’t like little kids camp.”

“You don’t have to do everything they say when they say it.” 

I love that!

We would offer activities at camp and they decided whether to attend. You know, having them really understanding choice and it’s THEIR choice. And it was really great fun having the members meet new people that they might not have met otherwise.

Anything new coming up?

We are trying to really listen to our members and what they want. One of the coolest things about our Karaoke Club is it was started by one of our members who is a great singer. We couldn’t find a chorus for him to join in the limited time availability he had. So, we had him, with his staff support, start the club. It was like a leadership opportunity.

And our Art Club group will be the same way. One of our members with our staff support will be the Founder of this club. They’ve been trialing projects together and that they think might work for a bigger group and talking about possible modifications to help people encourage others to participate.

Is this what sets UCP apart from other agencies?

Absolutely. The individuality and the encouraging us to be out-of-the-box creative thinkers.

“Individuality and the encouraging us to be out-of-the-box creative thinkers, is what sets UCP apart.”

Katie Fiander
Director of Pioneer Valley