The mission of United Partners for Human Services is to educate, support and advocate for public and private not-for-profit human service agencies of the Big Bend.
Latest News
Sales Tax Extension Public Hearing: Nonprofits Are Included
Leon County voters officially have the power during November's general election to decide whether to extend the existing 1-percent Blueprint tax and give all-or-nothing approval on a package of 25 top-tier infrastructure projects.
On Tuesday, following the first and only public hearing, county commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance on a 20-year extension following the 2019 expiration, pending voter approval. Extending the infrastructure sales tax generates $756 million, roughly $37.8 million per yer.
For the rest of the story and to watch a video about the hearing, please read the Tallahassee Democrat article.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Named Tallahassee’s 2014 Chamber Awards Non-Profit of the Year and Finalist for National Agency of the Year
The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce announced the winners for its 2014 Chamber Awards during a ceremony held in front of almost 400 attendees on June 3. Six different category winners were announced, including the Non-Profit of the Year award to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend.
CEO Louis Garcia accepted the awarded with a stage full of board members and employees. “We could not do it without the investment of our mentors,” Garcia said. “They invest their lifestyle and they provide 1-to-1 time with a kid who all they want is for someone to show up and listen to them, be their friend and inspire them to do great things.” Garcia dedicated the award to all of the agency’s volunteer mentors.
“I am extremely delighted that Big Brothers Big Sisters is recognized by our business partners and the entire community for our long-lasting impact with youth,” adds Garcia, “for 43 years Big Brothers Big Sisters has been changing children’s lives in Tallahassee for the better, forever.” The Big Bend agency serves eight counties in Florida, providing mentoring support to over 800 youth and mentors each year.
“As the voice of local business in Tallahassee, the Chamber Awards are our opportunity to recognize the best businesses and organizations for their success and commitment to our community,” said Sue Dick, President/CEO of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County.
The local award is not the only recognition for the agency’s quality performance. Recently, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Leadership Council identified Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend as a 2013 Gold Standard Award winner. This award is granted to the network’s top performers among 340 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide. Top performers meet the following criteria for service last year: growth in end active matches, excellent community and school-based mentoring retention rates, 90% or higher on-going match support completion, and 5% or higher revenue growth.
On June 17, at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Leadership Summit Awards Gala, winners of the 2014 National Agency of the Year will be announced in Chicago. The Big Bend agency is one of thirteen finalists nationwide identified as Gold Standard Performers eligible for the award.
News Coverage of the 15th Annual Conference
- WFSU was at the 15th Annual Conference, and interviewed Ellen Piekalkiewicz, UPHS Executive Director, Mark O'Brien, Keynote Speaker and TMH CEO, and conference attendee Jacob Reiter, Executive Director of The Shelter. Listen to the news story here.
- Read Ellen Piekalkiewicz's blog post about the Annual Conference.
UPHS Member Receives Florida Blue Foundation’s Sapphire Award
UPHS is pleased to congratulate one of its member organizations, Big Bend Cares, for being one of just two organizations in Florida receiving the Florida Blue Foundation’s Sapphire Award. The awards recognize results, innovation and excellence in healthcare. The video below was made for the awards ceremony.
United Partners for Human Services Invites You to Attend 15th Annual Conference
“Taking on Today: Success Strategies for Human Services Professionals in the New Normal” provides invaluable opportunities for the human-service professionals
In these times of shrinking budgets, it can be hard to find quality professional-development opportunities that both offer great value and also are affordable. The United Partners for Human Services (UPHS) has the answer for you!
UPHS is holding its 15th Annual Conference on Nonprofit Management and Leadership Wednesday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Tallahassee Community College Workforce Development Center. The theme for this year's conference is “Taking on Today: Success Strategies for Human Services Professionals in the New Normal.”
This conference is just one of our programs designed to improve the delivery of human services in the Big Bend. UPHS is also proud to be able to partner with some of Tallahassee's finest institutions to provide such a wide range of workshop topics for continuing education credit to our members and others.
Participants will attend workshops facilitated by human services and business leaders who have volunteered to help board members, program staff, and administrators learn about innovative business strategies, and creative approaches to managing and navigating change.
The May 14 plenary lunch session features keynote speaker Mark O'Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, who will speak on creating strategic roadmaps to help organizations thrive in the new change environment.
Among this year's workshops: “Tell the Story: Why Performance Measures Matter”; “Communication Across Generations”; and “Succeeding in the New Normal: Embracing Change and Opportunity.”
After the conference, at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, Tallahassee's legal community will offer human service agencies free, 45-minute legal consultations.
Admission is $65 for UPHS members; $85 for students with a student ID; and $100 for non-members. For a complete listing of the 15 workshops to be offered at the conference; and to register, visit www.uphsfl.org.
The United Partners for Human Services is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization representing 80 human service agencies in the Big Bend Region. UPHS advocates for human-service funding with local and state elected officials, and provides training and technical assistance to the Big Bend's not-for-profit human service agencies to improve program delivery.
United Partners for Human Services Hires Executive Director -- Ellen Piekalkiewicz
Ellen is a non-profit manager with over 25 years of experience in public policy, legislative and governmental affairs; contract and grants management; disability rights, and grant writing. For the last three years, Ellen has worked a consultant to statewide organizations, local nonprofits, and federal agencies. Prior to that, Ellen was the Executive Director of the Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation, an advisory council to the Governor and Florida Legislature. From 2001-2004, Ellen was the Assistant Director of Operations for Disability Rights Florida. She is an avid arts enthusiast with a particular passion for opera. Ellen is originally from Lawrence, Kansas and received her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and master’s degree from the University of Kansas. Ellen and her husband have two children – Natalie, a sophomore at Florida State University and Alexander, a senior at Lawton Chiles High School.
