Make it Fundable: Turning Recreational Therapy Ideas into Funded Impact

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.

For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance

For information on our On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand

Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.

Once the program is pre-approved; For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.

Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.

Note on Non-ATRA Activities:

Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.

Session Description

Recreational therapists can and should play a critical role in shaping access to services by translating program needs into clearly defined, fundable initiatives. Using real life examples from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Accessibility program, this session explores how RTs can influence funding systems through partnerships, foundations, and collaborative grant processes without ever writing a grant application themselves. Attendees will gain practical strategies to communicate purpose, build trust-based relationships, and align funding with meaningful participation outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how funding systems include access, participation, and outcomes in recreational therapy 2. Identify at least 3 strategies to effectively communicate program needs to foundations, donors, and grant writers 3. Develop one actionable approach to leverage partnerships or existing funding structures to expand program access in their setting

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Jessica Burke, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Biographical Information

Jessica Burke is the Accessibility Manager and ADA Coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where she leads efforts to improve access to parks, programs, and services for people with disabilities. Her work focuses on expanding participation through program design, community partnerships, and systems-level implementation. Jessica has helped secure funding to support accessibility initiatives, adaptive equipment, and programming for all abilities by translating access needs into clear, fundable projects. She collaborates with non-profits, grant writers, and community partners and has served on grant review committees awarding up to several million dollars per year. Jessica also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Texas State University. With a background in recreational therapy, she brings a practical perspective on how RTs can extend their impact beyond direct service by building trust-based partnerships and aligning funding with meaningful outcomes.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions