2016 Annual Conference

Discover the science behind the intervention of utilizing autobiographical music outlined in the Music & Memory program. With the focus on person centered programming, APIED will be discussed on all levels of this modality. Overall benefits of the program will be explored within the needs of many differing population groups, including Cognitive Decline, Chronic conditions and impairments, intellectual impairments, and community support initiatives. Various best practices will be discussed within home care settings, Assisted living communities, DD- intensive care, skilled nursing environments, and end-of-life care. Benefits for the care environment and use of this program for clinical team building will also be discussed. Participants will have a sandbox moment of creating a musical journey that is specific and geared to themselves and experience and voluntarily share the benefits of Music & Memory from a personal level. Two case studies from the movie will be reviewed as it relates to TR.

This session will educate recreational therapists on the importance of legacy and memory making within RT services; providing additional opportunities for increased coping for patients and their families during periods of adjustment, loss and grief. Discussions will include assessing the appropriateness of RT services and the best modalities for grief processing and memory making. Covering how, when and what to offer families. Attendees will learn about legacy/ memory making interventions and gain hands on experience that can be used in numerous settings.

The purpose of this full-day Pre-Conference Session is two fold. The session will provide an overview of accreditation under the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE). More importantly, the session will provide information and hands-on experience in completing the forms and process for academic accreditation under CAAHEP-CARTE. Participants should bring: (1) A lap top computer for hands on work, (2) Copies of course syllabi and (3) University information. Hands-on work is designed to jump-start your efforts to achieve CAAHEP academic accreditation under the “Gold Standard” for allied health programmatic accreditation.

Please join Dr. Nancy Richeson a Best Friends (TM), Master Trainer for this engaging half-day session. The session will focus on applying the Best Friends (TM) approach to care into Recreational Therapy practice. The essence of the Best Friends (TM) approach involves using life story and personal preferences into providing person-centered care. Recreational Therapist's can use this approach to enhance engagement, encourage social connections and promote positive behavioral health for people with dementia.

"Ageless Grace is a fitness and wellness program consisting of 21 Simple Tools for Lifelong Comfort and Ease, designed for all ages and all abilities." This session will discuss the science of neuro-plasticity and how the Ageless Grace tools can impact your program. Be prepared to participate in the Ageless Grace seated exercise program and discuss the possibilities for your program.

Despite efforts by mental health agencies to encourage community engagement, people with mental health disorders continue to experience higher rates of isolation and decreased engagement in meaningful community roles. Access to and knowledge of community resources are barriers that can be addressed through a community fair. Event fairs can not only connect consumers to resources, but also challenge them to set personal activity goals and plan for participation. Community fairs also have the opportunity to raise awareness of the needs of consumers and provide an opportunity for decreasing community stigma. This session provides an overview of a community manual, Organizing a Physical Activity Fair, detailing how community organizations including student groups, community mental health centers, and/or public parks and recreation centers can organize and host their own fair to connect mental health consumers to community-based resources. Participants will leave challenged to host their own fair in the upcoming year.

This intensive is designed for those practitioners that are Music & Memory certified and trained from a Music & Memory care organization. The participants will discover and share ways in which the CTRS is bringing Music & Memory to their care planning process and how this modality is utilized in the person-centered i-care records, moving from the former problem/approach model of care planning. Verbiage will be demonstrated and presented as well as how this fits into the MDS structure. Fund raising and community engagement best practices will also be demonstrated, especially from an intergenerational perspective. In addition, an in depth discourse will occur that will uncover ways in which this modality can enhance our advancement of the profession in a variety of settings. Marketing tools will be discussed and how to enhance the TR's role in showcasing the benefits of this program will also be a part of this intensive.

This session will focus on evidence-based practices, competencies, and public policy related to the Behavioral Health Section. Current evidence for recreational therapy practice in behavioral health will be discussed with a focused discussion on current state and future direction of evidence-based practices. Data from the ATRA competency study will be discussed as it pertains to the Behavioral Health Section. Finally, relevant public policy issues related to the Behavioral Health Section will be discussed followed by break out discussion in small groups to brainstorm proactive approaches to professional advocacy and create a plan for action.

This session will focus on marketing/advocacy, research, evidence-based practices, and public policy related to the Schools Section. Current status of recreational therapy practices in school systems will be discussed with a focus on past/current section work plan results, current evidence-based practices and challenges to support new and current research in the schools, and public policies impacting CTRSs in the schools. In addition, marketing and advocacy issues will be discussed in break out groups as they pertain to identification of required competencies in the school setting.

This session will focus on evidence-based practices, competencies, and public policy related to the physical rehabilitation and medical section. Current evidence for recreational therapy practice in physical rehabilitation and medical area will be discussed with a focused discussion on patients with brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neuromuscular disorders as it pertains to RT services. An update on the ATRA competency study will be discussed as it applies to the physical rehabilitation and medical section. Furthermore, two public policy issues that related to will be discussed with break out discussions
in small groups.

This session will focus on evidence-based practices, competencies, and public policy related to ATRA's Child & Adolescent Section. Current evidence for recreational therapy practice in Child & Adolescents will be presented & discussed. An update on the ATRA competency study will be discussed as it pertains to the Child & Adolescent Section. Furthermore public policy issues that related to this practice area will be discussed with break out discussions in small groups.

This session will provide attendees with two areas of learning. First it will provide the opportunity to learn about the Community Section, what they have accomplished over the past year, plans for the upcoming year, and how you can be involved. Second, it will
provide an opportunity for learning about resources, which can make you a better practitioner. Specifically, subject matter will
relate to evidence based practices, treatment ideas,and assessments.

This educational session of the Older Adult Section will address: protocols for disturbing behaviors; communication template for CTRS use across multiple settings; student development outreach efforts within the Older Adult Section; update on the creation of a Practice-Based model for RT vs Activity Services within SNF/AL settings; update on geriatric competencies.

The educational session of the Veterans/Military Service Treatment Section will focus on current evidence-based practice for the veteran and service member population in recreational therapy. We will also discuss models that are specific to recreational therapy with Veterans/Military service members. Competencies for the practice of recreational therapy with veterans and service members will be discussed. Treatment network coordinators will facilitate discussion on current practices, and future plans for the treatment section.

Are you new to ATRA or someone who isn’t familiar with what ATRA is about and what we are doing for recreational therapists? Join us for a time with the incoming President and President-Elect to learn what ATRA is doing on your behalf, and be challenged on what you can do to make a difference.

Involvement in state and national TR organizations can provide a CTRS with valuable experiences including networking, skill development, advocacy efforts, and much more. The top ten reasons to get involved will be discussed per a national voluntary poll of CTRS'. Student involvement will also be discussed and the impact of getting involved at an early point in one's career. Barriers to being involved in TR committee and board work will be discussed and challenges to those barriers will be addressed.

CTRS's are often faced with the challenge of providing treatment and programs that meets of the needs and interest of all individuals, including aspects of one’s culture. Accomplishing this goal can be a difficult task if professionals are providing cultural humility and lack a true definition of cultural competency. In the session, professionals will discuss the current concepts, policies and best practices for treatment within culturally competent healthcare. Participants will understand the role TR and CTRS’s play in developing culturally and linguistically appropriate services for clients. This session will also provide participants with evidenced based practice focused on cultural competency that supports the efficacy of interventions used with in a variety of healthcare settings.

Metaphors can be powerful tools to access memory, insight and goal setting. They can be integrated in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or psychoeducational groups. Participants in this group will leave with ideas, images and suggestions for incorporating the use of metaphors in your programs. A basic understanding of CBT principles is helpful.

This session reviews professional behavior expectations of recreational therapists as defined by ATRA and the NCTRC job analysis. Results of focus groups with clinical supervisors of health professions students related to professional behavior expectations are also presented. The facilitator will lead an active discussion of professional behavior trends and strategies for promoting professional behavior of recreational therapy students.

This workshop will focus on importance of a parent driven process in advocating for the unique expertise of recreation therapists and the provision of leisure and social skills interventions for children with disabilities in educational settings. The specialized perspective that CTRS brings to interdisciplinary IEP teams will be highlighted. We will share leisure and social skills assessments and other resources that can be used in recreation therapy consultations in schools.

This session is discuss the Recreational Profile Inventory (RPI) and to demonstrate the use of the iPad app version. The session will cover the different parts of the RPI, research behind the development of the RPI,the process by which the app was developed, hands on experience with the app on provided iPads (feel free to bring your own as well), and a discussion of ideas for further development of this specific assessment tool along with a broader discussion of the future of technology as part of the TR assessment process.

Effective advocacy on behalf of the profession of recreational therapy holds the potential to transform the profession in profoundly positive ways. Building on successes of the past, this session will explore the future of recreational therapy in public policy arenas and provide the beginnings of a road map for future directions. Attendees will engage in a process to help identify meaningful ways to engage in professional advocacy and public policy.

The use of assistive technology is not a new concept in recreational therapy practice. Yet, Socially Assistive Robots (SARs), which assist and produce therapeutic effects on people by interacting with them socially, are a new and innovative facilitation technique for recreational therapy practices. Documented effects of SARs include reduction of depressive symptoms and loneliness, and increased positive emotions (Broadbent et al., 2009; Robinson et al., 2013). This session will describe the concept, reported effects, and current research on SARs in relationship to evidence-based practice. This collaboration between human-robot interaction and recreational therapy researcher and practitioners provides a unique perspective on SARs in health care. The presenters will demonstrate the use of SARs, including an introduction of PARO by its inventor, Dr. Takanori Shibata, who will be present. The interactive session will include activities demonstrating PARO as a therapeutic intervention with clinical outcomes.

Inclusion is a process known by TR staff as the successful integration of individuals with disabilities into a setting or activity with nondisabled peers. This session will focus on the process of inclusion as it relates to therapeutic recreation in the special recreation association settings in Illinois. There have been increased numbers in the requests for inclusive programming over the past few years, as individuals with a disability strive to participate in the least restrictive environment. Participation in the traditional park district or recreation department program that allows them to participate in programming alongside their typical peers. The ABC's will address the assessment process, behavior management and expectations, and placements of companions with the individual to help them be successful in inclusive programming.

Much conversation has occurred regarding the practice of Recreational Therapy in Clinical and Community settings. While this presentation will examine the foundation of this issue, significant time will be given to exploring the concept that Recreational Therapy is not about practice setting, but rather the process that the therapist utilizes. Discussion will center on the use of the APIED process as our means for defining the profession rather than the use of settings to define our profession. Presenters will provide several examples from practice to demonstrate the use of the APIED process in a breadth of locations. The session will close with working groups examining the utility of the APIED process in a wide variety of settings where Recreational Therapists may work.

Evidence based practice (EBP) is not new to the recreational therapy profession. Despite continued professional focus and continuing education opportunities, the adoption of EBP across settings remains slow and inconsistent. While direct service professionals must be aware of EBP and willing to implement these services, agencies must create a climate where EBP is supported and encouraged. The 4E model is an implementation model that translates knowledge to practice through dissemination (i.e., exposure and experience) and utilization (i.e., expertise and embedding). Managerial staff can create environments that systematically use these components to adopt, promote, and sustain EBP. This session will describe the four components of the model and describe strategies for agency adoption and implementation. Attendees will outline a plan to target EBP efforts around a singular area and develop opportunities for staff exposure and experience, leading to a discussion on embedding the EBP and establishing expertise in the area.

You may be the key to the survival of our RT! The need for graduate educated faculty, particularly doctorates, in RT higher education has substantially outpaced the supply of qualified candidates. This lack of candidates is a current crisis because numerous faculty positions remain vacant, and a continuation of this trend would impact the future survival of the RT profession. This session will review RT workforce trends in higher education, establish the need for graduate educated professionals and faculty, and discuss the ins and outs of pursuing a graduate degree. We will also review the various characteristics of careers in higher education. There is no better time to advance your education. Get you questions answered, and get inspired to pursue that degree!

The movement away from task-oriented care toward person-centred care (i.e., care based on residents’ individualized care needs and preferences) is considered by many to be essential to both the quality of care and life of people residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially of those who have Alzheimer disease or related dementia. The consistent provision of person-centered care is widely recognized as the goal of the residential care culture change movement. In this breakout session, I will explain why the attainment of this goal has remained elusive for the majority of LTC facilities, despite significant effort to alter practice. Intervention factors and organizational systems that support the uptake of practice and culture change initiatives will be described. The role of the recreational therapist in the culture change movement will also be discussed. Evidence for this discussion is derived from both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across multiple long-term care settings.

This presentation will give participants foundational knowledge and resources on how to apply the TR process within the school setting. A focus will be given to the interdisciplinary collaboration between RTs and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a school-based setting. Three specific examples of RT and SLP collaboration for students with ASDs will be discussed (1) Quality of life (QoL) and discourse, (2) anxiety and challenging behavior, and (3) social skills and team building.

Designed to help students think about what is important for them to consider as they begin to prepare for internship

Implementation: The session will educate Recreation Therapists about the different techniques and tools they can use to provide Anger Management through Recreation Therapy to help facilitate Anger Management to resistant patients/clientele required to participate in an Anger Management course in the criminal justice system. These techniques and tools can also be applied to other settings.

This session will provide an overview of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) and the various populations that can benefit from Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). The focus will be on how the potential benefits of AAT can be incorporated into recreational therapy services. Participants will learn the different approaches to using animals as a partner in facilitating therapeutic outcomes. Participants will be exposed to research evidence that supports AAI with populations generally served by recreational therapists. The considerations of planning and implementing a AAI program/treatment within an agency will addressed.

This session is designed to provide useful information to the practicing CTRS who cares for older adults. End of life care is a unique setting for the CTRS; this session will present appropriate ways to make a meaningful impact during a difficult time. Through lecture and discussion, the topic of grief and loss will be explored as it relates to clients and their families as they go through the dementia process.

How can the recreational therapy profession stay competitive? Strategies to grow and improve our services & profession from a business development approach will be provided. This is a good session to attend for managers and chapter affiliate leadership in order to understand the business-end of running an organization.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the eco-therapeutic program, Heroes on the Water (HOW). Founded in 2007, this program helps veterans decompress, relax, and recover using the therapeutic qualities of kayak-fishing. In research findings, a large number of nature-based therapy programs are being utilized to enhance the quality of life for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, however there seems to be a very small number of scientific studies on the effectiveness of these programs based on empirical data.

Building upon the results of the preliminary study, this study will take a further look into the long term effects of being a active participant, facilitator, and/or guide of the HOW program.The participants of this study have been active with Heroes on the Water (HOW) for at least 2 years and contribute their recovery to this type of nature-based program. This study will evaluate that claim using an established PTSD instrument.

This session provides an in depth coverage of recertification standards and requirements. Continuing education and professional experience will be described in detail. This session will also review the NCTRC Specialty Certification Program that was developed to formally recognize CTRS’s who have acquired advanced knowledge and experience in specific practice settings.

The purpose of the program of the UCLA Community Awareness Bullying Intervention Program is to transition clinical skills to the classroom as utilize them as an innovative approach to early intervention and prevention of bullying in the community. This session will provide recreation therapists with an overview of the program, the importance of building community alliances, and the implementation process. Collaboration is the cornerstone to successful outcomes yielding effective results. Mental health professionals, local government agencies, school districts, teachers, parents and students are all key stakeholders whose contributions warrant an efficient process. Collectively, they have a common interest in ensuring students receive an education that is free from the emotional, mental and physical effects of bullying. A wave of recent bullying incidents with tragic outcomes highlights the need for recreation therapy to be a vital component in anti-bullying intervention and prevention programs.

There is a growing need to provide community based day services for individuals with disabilities transitioning out of High School. For many graduates with disabilities the services they received in High School abruptly end. In Illinois, Special Recreation Associations are addressing ways to creatively collaborate with agencies that provide life services for individuals with disabilities to create opportunities to meet the growing needs of adults with disabilities in community-based settings. The presentation will specifically address two unique collaborations, two other Adult Day program models offered here in Illinois, the pros and cons of collaborations, the core program components, eligibility, placement criteria and the role of the therapeutic recreation in community-based adult day programs.

Aromatherapy, a modality that has been utilized by CTRS' for many years, has been experiencing a popularity boom! As healthcare professionals, it is important for us to understand the science behind the modality as well as what to consider when integrating it into practice. Knowing more about the science helps us to speak in an educated manner to participants, colleagues, and supervisors when advocating for the utilization of aromatherapy. Additionally, results of multiple studies on the efficacy and implementation of aromatherapy will be explored. Session attendants will have an opportunity to experience mini-aromatherapy, all while learning ways to implement the modality that are applicable to the wide variety of settings in which we practice.

Recreation therapists are increasingly required to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP) in order to meet growing demands for accountability and client outcomes and increasingly, for TR services to be considered for funding and reimbursement. EBP is critical to the APIED process and advancement of recreational therapy. In this workshop the role of EBP in TR practice will be examined, a model of EBP that supports the APIED process will be described, and participants will learn how to conduct a basic search for evidence. Workshop participants will develop PICO questions and conduct searches relative to their practice settings and needs. Note: Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop/tablet to Part II.

While the Code of Ethics is foundation knowledge of our practice, how often do you discuss moral and ethical issues with colleagues? Are you competent in your knowledge of the ATRA Code of Ethics? Do you have a clear understanding of how to identify and address situations that you recognize as possibly being a violation or in conflict with one of the ethical principles that guide our practice? Do you make the right decisions for the right reason? Let's address these and other questions WE may have collectively and get an often neglected topic discussed. Advancement of our profession will depend on continued demonstration of the integrity, honesty and fairness we exhibit in our everyday practice.
Creative exercises from the recently published, Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Recreational Therapy, will be shared/experienced.

Therapeutic Recreation is beginning to establish increased presence in school systems nationwide. Awareness and understanding of Therapeutic Recreation's impact is continuing to grow, but much work still lies ahead. With a wide range of students in varied classroom settings, the challenge is great, but the potential to improve students' health and well-being is even greater. This session will focus on effective implementation of Therapeutic Recreation programming within the Cincinnati Public School system, specifically in After School, Summer Day Camp, and Adapted Aquatic programs. Participants will gain knowledge of intentional planning, problem solving, and resources towards developing successful collaborations with their own school systems.

The field of recreation therapy (RT) has long struggled with occupational prestige and professional acknowledgment, especially when compared to related services such as occupational and physical therapies (Hinton, 2000; Harkins, 2010). In fact, RT programs are also challenged within their own agencies for recognition, often experiencing omission from agency websites, marketing materials, and other marketing outlets (Bedini & Petrarca, 2013). This session will present the results of a 2015 national study of the status of marketing in RT which was based on the tenets of the Social Marketing Theory (Morris and Clarkson (2009). In addition, participants will learn about marketing barriers as well as strengths identified by the survey respondents within three levels of marketing: intra-professional, inter-professional, and extra-professional. Finally, the session will address how the session participants can identify and apply specific strategies to design and implement effective RT/TR marketing programs in their own agencies.

This session provides an in depth coverage of the NCTRC Certification Standards. It will include the requirements for application, application process, exam information, and requirements to maintain your certification.

This session focuses on providing recreational therapy for children at a Residential Psychiatric Treatment Facility (RPTF). Children who have been admitted to this setting have previously been unsuccessful with outpatient therapy and short-term acute-care stays. The present has provided services for this population since 2002. The session will include an overview of trauma in children, evidenced-based treatment models for trauma, and how recreational therapists can intervene.

Foundation Knowledge:
3. Concepts and models: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and humanistic model.
8. Practice settings: residential psychiatric treatment facility
15. Psychiatric disorders: PTSD, child abuse (focus on the victim), etc.
Assessments:
18. Secondary sources
Implementation:
35. Selection of programs, activities, and interventions to achieve the assessed needs of the child.
38. Modalities and interventions: relaxation skills training, affect regulation skills training, cognitive processing skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills trainings/ assertiveness techniques, community re-entry, family RT interventions

In the United States, the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders is 29% and anxiety disorders represent one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the United States. This session will introduce definition, classifications, causes, diagnosis, symptoms/characteristics and general treatment options of anxiety disorders. In particular, the use of audio-visual relaxation techniques (AVRTs) as a viable therapeutic intervention program to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder is introduced. The application of the recreation therapy process (APIE) to this audio-visual relaxation technique will also be discussed. Lastly, audience will participate in different types of AVRTs and discuss the effects of each different AVRT.

The term Brain Fitness is commonly used in the context of self-help books and commercial products, but the scientific support for Brain Fitness in healthcare setting are somewhat limited. This session will present some scientific data about the benefits of Brain Fitness, introduce types and contents of Brain Fitness that can be implemented by recreation therapists. The audience will be provided with sample brain fitness resources for clients with brain injuries. The application of the RT process (APIE) to Brain Fitness programs will also be discussed.

The purpose of this training is to bring awareness to the field regarding diversity within the ATRA organization and Cultural Competence within the areas of education and recreational therapy practice. Recreational Therapy professionals often interact with persons of different cultural backgrounds. This training will provide a base for the field to start talking and thinking about how to improve care to the clients we serve by being more culturally competent via our assessments, treatment plans, class curriulum, and professional relationships.

Throughout history there has been negative attitudes and perceptions toward sexuality and disability. Individuals with ASD have a presence in communities however social isolation continues to be a serious problem. If individuals with ASD are going to participate more fully as members of our communities they will need to be able to freely interact with people they encounter day to day and broaden their social circles to go beyond support people and family. They also need to be able to explore more personalized relationships and sexuality. A basic human right. This session will explore friendships, relationships, and sexuality as it relates to leisure involvement for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Participants will learn about the barriers to teaching and supporting healthy sexuality. Participants will also be introduced to assessments of knowledge and information readiness; developing socialization and sexuality programs and interventions; and supporting those programs through evidence based practices.

Community therapeutic recreation agencies in Illinois are seeing a rise of individuals diagnosed with autism, mental health disorders and dual diagnoses accessing recreation and leisure programs. The challenge community based therapeutic recreation specialist's face when working with individuals with these diagnoses is an increased presence of challenging and aggressive behaviors in programs. Through the creation of a mobile Behavior Management Team that utilizes a leveled behavior intervention system focusing on intensity, frequency and severity, staff are able to respond to challenging and aggressive behaviors. Community therapeutic recreation specialists have been able to address and modify the outcomes of these behaviors while continuing to create a safe and supported environment for all participants and staff.

Laughter is good for you! Humor is one source of laughter. There are a number of physiological and psychological benefits of laughter and humor. This session will present current research about the benefits of laughter, theory related to what makes people laugh, and provide information on how to implement Laughter and Humor programs in the treatment setting. Participants will be given the opportunity to experience the benefits of laughter and humor, and begin to plan methods of infusing laughter and humor into their treatment or work environment. You will leave this session with a smile on your face and ready to take laughter and humor into your workplace!

The EPASS is a person-centered assessment tool that measures engagement in preferred activities. This presentation outlines concepts of person-centered care and engagement, as well as creation of the assessment, implications for TR practice and training resources.

Understand the purpose, foundation and structure of the ICF. Gain a basic understanding of the ICF content, functional items and qualifier scales. Appreciate the implications for RT/TR that are associated with the ICF. If further knowledge is desired in understanding how to incorporate the ICF in RT/TR practice please attend the session titled Using the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation (RT/TR) Practice.

Applied Behavioral Analysis is an evidence based practice when providing services to individuals on the autism spectrum. These same techniques can be used when working with other populations in order to bring about behavioral change. This session will describe how to use behavioral analysis techniques in TR contexts.

With a growing interest in Meditative Arts (MA) it can be used as clinical interventions addressing spirituality and meditation. MA covers many areas in the genre, such as, Zentangles, Mandala’s, Tai Chi, Music/Dance, Stitchery, Beading, Painting, Doodles, Zen Poetry, Origami, Clay, Scrapbooks, and many other expressions of art. Many Recreation Therapists (RT) are not trained in Art and many believe they cannot draw, but this interventions shows one how to draw and give lessons. With practice one can get proficient at Zentangles and other MA programs. MA gives RT the understanding about the flow, spiritual well-being, and the confidence to offer more MA focused interventions.
The purpose of this session: To share the knowledge and how to implement MA interventions into their clinical practices. Using research from peer reviewed articles as the foundation, the session will cover treatment goals, learning outcomes, and how to plan and implement the interventions.

Living in a globalizing world, many students have expressed the desire to learn about other cultures and to work in different countries. An international internship may provide students with a pivotal learning opportunity to improve their foreign language skills, become familiar with new cultures, and expand their network. As the academic curriculum and health care systems vary widely by country, what can we do to ensure the internship experience includes the opportunity for students to engage in the TR process and address the range of competencies required to become certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification? In this session, we invite American educator(s) to share their experience in organizing internships abroad, educators from Japan and Australia to discuss their curriculum and internship expectations, and a representative from the NCTRC to discuss the NCTRC job analysis and how it might direct curriculum development.

In this presentation, audience members will learn at least 2 veteran focused diagnosis population (ie PTSD, anxiety, depression) and what are appropriate evidence researched based intervention that can be implemented in an outpatient setting. The audience will also learn the process of starting a partnership with a non-profit group. At the end of the presentation, audience members will be able to go back to their facilities and start evidence based interventions to increase their veteran's quality of life.

The King Adult Day Enrichment Program (KADEP) at Rocky Mountain MS Center is an award-winning, innovative, community-based and cost-effective day program alternative to nursing home placement for younger adults with multiple sclerosis, brain injury and other acquired neurological conditions. KADEP is a Therapeutic Recreation based program that provides a dynamic array of classes and activities, nursing care and other services designed to enhance the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of each participant. Offering vital weekday respite and peace of mind to caregivers, KADEP is a model to other programs that strives to maximize the functioning, independence, wellness and quality of life of all who attend.

This session will explain the science of the human physiological stress response and provide explanations of how specific stress management techniques work to help people alleviate stress when used as part of recreational therapy practice. Additionally, three stress management techniques will be demonstrated: breathing, meditation, and biofeedback.

This session will address the NCTRC Job Analysis areas of Foundational Knowledge (the basic steps required to pursue coverage of Recreational Therapy), Organization of RT (department or individuals recreational therapists need to ensure they are complying with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Regulations when providing treatment for their patients), and Advancement of the Profession (ensuring coverage of treatment ensure that recreational therapy is present when medically necessary for the patients of the various treatment settings).

Recreation therapists are typically well versed in the problems and effects of stigma on their clients. Disabilities often confer a lesser status with resulting limited opportunities for full participation in society. What is less often recognized is the stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors that service providers, including recreational therapists, may hold. For consumers, stigma may affect decisions to seek treatment or assistance, especially if experienced from their provider. Words, images, and actions can consciously or unconsciously harm the provider-consumer relationship. This session will focus on the challenge of provider-based stigma among a variety of populations. The majority of the session will be self-awareness interactive activities on the topic of provider-based stigma. Participants will understand the different types of stigma, how provider-based stigma may affect consumer outcomes, and how to increase self-awareness of stigmatizing behaviors to improve treatment.

This session is to provide education on evidence-based practice, public policy, and competencies for section co-chairs of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. This session will focus on evidence-based practice and how it can impact the sections.Section co-chairs will have an opportunity to plan for the coming year based on what they have learned.

With various leaders in our field taking the brunt of our advocacy and development, it is the upcoming generations charge to acquaint themselves with current issues in the field faces, develop goals related to pushing the field forward, and add the term advocate to their skill set. Students and recent graduates will walk away with a concrete action plan to take into their first years of practice while planning for the future.Topics that will be covered include: establishing/maintain network with organizations/advocates, advocating for rights of person(s) served, providing education to internal/external stakeholder, promoting marketing/public relations
and more specifically monitoring legislative/regulatory changes.

This session will educate the CTRS about effective strategies and interventions for specific diagnosis within the behavioral health population including inpatient and outpatient psychiatry and substance abuse. The benefits of providing kinesthic opportunities will be discussed. The CTRS will gain in depth knowledge on choosing specific interventions for a variety of patients as well as presentation techniques to validate the kinesthic learner. Participants will get hands-on practice in a sampling of interventions and discuss benefits of including kinesthic learning into behavioral health groups.

In this session we plan to provide information and resources on how to reintegrate your client back into a school setting. The primary focus will be returning to high school following a life changing injury as well preparation for college, whether it would be returning or enrolling. This session will also provide examples on how to reintegrate your client with step by step instructions. We will also provide information on the various stages on enrollment in both high school and college. Finally, we will provide information on how to utilize resources in your community to foster relationships with local schools and universities.

As Baby Boomers age, they are changing the way we engage and treat the dying. This session will help the TR/RT professional work with people who are confronting their own mortality. As TR/RT professionals we need to be prepared to participate in clear and honest conversations about perceived control and quality of life. In order to do this, we will explore our own feelings about death and dying. Armed with this insight, we will discuss trends in the current health care paradigm, evidence-based outcome measures, and how TR/RT’s can facilitate interventions to help patients and families address their own mortality.

Patient Education is a key component of patient centered care. By adopting a model of service delivery that includes structured patient education along with Facilitation and Processing, Therapeutic Recreation Specialists can deliver high quality therapeutic interventions and increase outcomes patients. This session will help therapists to identify the importance of patient education, identify sources for high quality materials to utilize as patient education materials, and identify ways to ensure patient education becomes a seamless aspect to each therapeutic recreation intervention.

The aim of this presentation will be to discuss the differences between evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence, in addition to provide practical application for both in recreational therapy. This presentation will likely build their arsenal of resources allowing them to utilize proven and generalizable intervention strategies with their patients.

This session is intended to provide an update for previously identified state coordinators regarding the advancement of licensure in RT and how to establish a legal mandate in each state. All conference participants are welcome to attend this working session.

The Equestrian Adaptive Sport program at Slippery Rock University is a community-based program that primarily provides an introductory instructional equine-assisted program on the local level to disabled veterans or active military in Western Pennsylvania. Equine-assisted activities for veterans with disabilities may promote improvement in physical, social, cognitive, or emotional health. With an overview of the programs at this PATH premier accredited facility, participants will learn how to apply the APIED process for this population. In addition, the funding mechanism and community partnerships will be described. In addition to serving veterans, the program provides the educational needs of the undergraduate students at SRU. The program is fully integrated into the Recreational Therapy program coursework that focuses on physical disabilities, older adults, and mental health. The program outcomes, which serves more than 150 veterans with behavioral health issues (chemical dependence), traumatic brain injury, PTSD, as well as geriatric syndromes, will be discussed.

In order to demonstrate the outcomes of treatment, it is imperative we as a field perform and document the results of standardized assessment tools. This session will assist attendees in: understanding the benefits of standardized assessment tools (SATs) for Recreational Therapy care and practice; knowing where to find free or low-cost SATs; the basics of how to track data using Microsoft Excel, and how to compute simple statistical analyses of the data in order to present findings to colleagues, administrators, and beyond.

Mindfulness can be a critical therapeutic intervention in TR services in a variety of settings. Mindfulness aids clients in emotion expression, emotion regulation, and self-care. Participants of this session will participate in a variety of mindfulness techniques sequenced to teach clients how to use mindfulness in everyday life in order to improve functioning in a variety of areas including social, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical functioning. Participants will also discuss through this experience how these interventions fit within the Leisure Ability Model for provision of TR services.

This session will introduce the benefits of technology use among older adults in addition to research supporting positive outcomes. An overview of the It's Never Too Late (IN2L) adaptive computer system will include various applications and therapeutic outcomes associated with the device. The session will include an elaboration of session protocols and successful recreational therapy programs facilitated with older adults. The process of obtaining funding for the IN2L, and tips for administrative initiatives to promote facility-wide use of the program will be discussed.

The principles of neuroplasticity demonstrate that learning, experience and more intensive training results in increased plasticity. Technological advancements have allowed us to deliver treatment remotely and provide an opportunity for clients to practice more intensely and consistently than what is typical in weekly/biweekly visits to a clinical location. This presentation will show how Constant Therapy, an evidence-based, mobile application, can be effectively used to supplement treatment in the clinic. Constant Therapy is a personalized, continuous treatment tool for people with cognitive, language, communication and learning impairments being used by clinicians across various clinical settings and at home by clients. Recreational Therapists will learn how to deliver, monitor and analyze treatment using Constant Therapy. The benefits of using technology and home practice to maximize treatment outcomes will be discussed .Outcomes data will be presented to support the value of this software platform.

Review the ICF RT/TR implications. Understand incorporation of the classification in your current practice, especially in treatment planning, by applying the functional items and qualifier scales in real-life scenarios. It is assumed the participant has a very basic understanding of the ICF and its implications; therefore, ICF structure and coding will not be discussed. If needed, that understanding can be gained by attendance to the session titled Understanding the Implications of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation (RT/TR).

The complex Americans with Disabilities Act requires public and private entities to make reasonable modifications for persons with disabilities seeking inclusive participation. These black-and-white requirements however are not exactly clear, and agencies must rely on courts and settlement agreements with administrative agencies for guidance. This session will review the reasonable modification requirements as applies to local governments and nonprofits, and identify the eight-step inclusion process. We'll also discuss recent enforcement activity, including federal district court decisions and US Department of Justice Settlement Agreements.

A focus on the APIE process in Long Term Care and how to move from diversional activities to recreation therapy interventions. Skilled Nursing Facilities are flooded with Activity Directors who implement diversional programming instead of evidence-based purposeful interventions. What if Recreational Therapists’ could change the stigma surrounding nursing homes, just by their presence? The assessment portion will concentrate on obtaining pertinent information from the resident, establishing a therapeutic rapport, and analyzing and interpreting the results. The planning phase will demonstrate how to create a person centered calendar where residents are given a sense of ownership. This will help to empower the residents and boost them into a state of FLOW. Implementation will emphasize effective facilitations techniques and demonstrate what a resident led activity looks like. We will look at evaluation of your program and resident engagement. Overall, this presentation will help to advocate for Recreational Therapists in Long Term Care.

During this workshop we will discuss the importance of taking care of yourself, benefits of respite care, and how recreation therapy can play a role in caregivers health. We will discuss the importance of building networks of support in communities, as well as the importance of training and the role that respite workers can take in the family’s life.This session will introduce participants to the REST (Respite Education and Support Tools) program, which is an original educational course that provides respite training to paid or unpaid respite workers who what to offer respite care and assistance to caregivers.

Outstanding trainings create outstanding staff. Park Districts and Special Recreation Associations (SRA’s) in Illinois have a unique and powerful partnership to better provide quality recreational services to residents with disabilities in the community. These services would not be possible without the hundreds of part-time inclusion companions that work collaboratively to make these inclusive experiences possible. Supervising, training, and mentoring staff are all major responsibilities that professionals must manage while carrying out Therapeutic Recreation services. Annual or seasonal training for support staff create an invaluable opportunity for supervisors to connect with and refuel employees who work one-on-one with individuals with disabilities. This session will explore ideas on how to organize, overhaul and revamp staff training for part time support staff, activity aides, or camp counselors. It will address training content, delivery method, and provide resources for TR professionals to use at their next staff training.

As the therapeutic recreation profession continues to grow internationally, the percentage of practitioners who are trained at the master’s and doctoral level has not kept pace. There are many barriers to obtaining a graduate degree. However, there are also many reasons to do so including enhancing professional competency and advancing the profession. This session will help you to better understand the benefits of graduate education in the field and to reduce the perceived barriers to obtaining a graduate degree in recreational therapy.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation has been identified as a ‘black box’ “ because the processes by which treatments, education, medications, aids and devices, environmental modifications, and other interventions turn inputs (impairments and activity limitations) into outcomes (improved functioning, independence, and quality of life) remain largely unknown”.1 To facilitate improvement in functional skill a multidisciplinary team provides goal-directed treatment to affect changes within a patient receiving physical rehabilitation.2 This multidisciplinary team provides varying treatments and varying intensity levels which may be affected by patient characteristics and diagnosis.3 Because of this, it creates more difficulty in determining the processes and treatments that impact changes in functioning. The purpose of this presentation is to facilitate discussion about PMR and improving patient outcomes through recreational therapy treatment.