Udac

05/27/2026

Great connections start with great conversations!

Ann and Molly recently reconnected at the St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference in Duluth—years after first crossing paths. Molly Gilbert, Director of Business Development at Vinland National Center, captured the moment perfectly in Independence, Vinland’s publication:

“One of the best things about the St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is learning how organizations are making an impact in our community.”

It was pure chance (or maybe not!) that brought Ann Dahl, Udac’s Director of Operations, and Molly Gilbert together again—but their conversation quickly revealed something meaningful. They discovered how closely Udac and Vinland align in their missions, often even supporting the same individuals.

And the connection didn’t end there. Molly later joined Udac staff to present a CEU session, continuing the exchange of knowledge and strengthening the partnership.

This is what collaboration looks like—sharing expertise, building relationships, and working together to better serve our communities.

05/05/2026

Talent Spotlight

We’re excited to celebrate Trevor’s growth and advancement at Essentia Health! Wanting to take on a new challenge, Trevor stepped into conducting Patient Satisfaction Surveys for Food Service. In just one day of completing surveys in person using an iPad, more responses were collected than in the entire previous quarter. Trevor quickly mastered his brief introduction and visual rating scale and, by the end of the day, was completing surveys independently—a great example of how the right opportunity leads to real impact.

The Udac Personal Growth Model and a dedicated Career Coach can help you find the life you want.
Find out more at www.udac.org, to meet with an employment specialist email [email protected]

04/22/2026

04/16/2026

John, Udac’s Career and Life Coach Manager, led a demonstration of Nao, Udac’s socially assistive robot, for Essentia staff ahead of Nao’s work with Udac clients at Essentia. Chad, Vonne, Keith, and Kinga attended to learn how Nao will support client engagement and skill development within the Essentia Health environment.

03/24/2026

Udac was proud to be at Disability Day at the Capitol!

Megan, Paul, David, Ben, and Barb alongside Representative Pete Johnson to advocate for inclusion, access, and opportunities for people with disabilities. It was a powerful day of sharing voices, creativity, and commitment to building a more inclusive Minnesota.

02/26/2026

After seven years of dedicated service at the DTA, Rodney was recently honored by his coworkers with a thoughtful going‑away celebration.

Throughout his time at the DTA, Rodney exemplified what community inclusion looks like. He built strong relationships, formed meaningful connections across teams, and contributed to a workplace culture where everyone was valued. His presence extended beyond the role itself—he became an important part of the community he served and worked alongside every day.

Rodney’s journey is a reminder that inclusive employment is not just about opportunity, but about belonging and connection. The impact he made over these seven years will continue to be felt, and the relationships he leaves behind speak to his character and commitment.

The Udac Personal Growth Model and a dedicated Career Coach can help you find the life you want.
Find out more at www.udac.org, to meet with an employment specialist email [email protected]

02/06/2026

Disability Services Day at the Capitol Button Contest!

02/05/2026

We had an amazing visit yesterday with Representative Pete Johnson! Brian and John impressed everyone with a demo of the Nao robot, and Ben shared how his work as an Ambassador for Respect has taught him to problem‑solve when things don’t go exactly as planned. Proud of these two and the leadership they’re showing in our community.

01/29/2026

Annette enjoys her time volunteering at the Douglas County Humane Society, where she spends her days offering kitten cuddles and comfort to animals waiting for a loving home. For her, it’s more than just volunteering — it’s a meaningful way to feel included, connected, and actively involved in her community.

Annette has become part of something bigger. Her time with the kittens not only supports the Humane Society’s mission, it strengthens the sense of belonging that comes from contributing to her Community.

The Udac Personal Growth Model and a dedicated Career Coach can help you find the life you want. Find out more at www.udac.org, to meet with an employment specialist email [email protected]

01/27/2026

After completing all of his duties ahead of schedule, Trevor used his extra time to finish his mandatory training before the end of his shift.

Trevor continues to demonstrate initiative in his role at Essentia Health, where he was hired after successfully completing the UDAC Internship with the organization.

The Udac Personal Growth Model and a dedicated Career Coach can help you find the life you want.
Find out more at www.udac.org, to meet with an employment specialist email [email protected]