Student questions

There was a question and answer panel with a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at the Great Lake Recreational Therapy Student Conference.

I  was very pleased to be one of the CTRS on this panel.

I heard there were over 100 students present! What a great bunch of enthusiastic people! I validated to them that the fact that they made it to this event. Most of the people I met were from Indiana or Michigan. 

Other CTRS on the panel included: Shawn Geise, Jake Newhand, Brittany Hook, Kaitlyn Smith, Tommy Means, and Lori Schwyer. 

Those CTRS are great people. They worked in various different fields and I was so happy and pleased to be on stage with them and to hear their experiences. One woman (and I regret to say I can't recall who) provides services for people with traumatic brain injury. I told her that I am a CTRS, but I would not feel fully competent working in that position. She told me she had worked in mental health before switching. She informed the audience that we can and do get harmed by clients in mental health, which I agreed is true. 

Jared Allsop (conference co-chair) lecturer at Indiana University had called on student hands in the audience. They asked questions and the CTRS answered!

I can’t recall the exact questions asked. I wish I would have had a student to write them down.

Some questions I vaguely recall some of the questions.

Should you take an internship in an area you want to work or reach out and try something different to broaden your horizons?

I disagreed with one of the other CTRS on this one. I suggested go for the area you want to get more of a focus/ experience in an expertise area. I also suggested being open-minded to at least trying out other jobs when you’re ready to get hired. Why? I did my training mostly with elderly and seniors in skilled nursing (internship) and rehabilitation hospital (practicum), and even a nursing home (practicum). My first job offer was in mental/ behavioral health working with children and teens. I took the job and I’ve worked there since August 2002.

·         

What do you look for in an intern for your facility? 

My answers: passion, interest, eager to learn, well-groomed/ appropriate to work in a hospital setting, and easy-going. willing to grow and learn. I informed them that they will make mistakes (as well all have). 

·         What do you like most about your job?

Seeing kids grow and change and become successful. Of course, I let them know there are a lot of work place stressors to be prepared for that as well.

·         

Where do you get new updates and information?

My answer: being a member of our professional association (ATRA) and reading.

Does a Master's degree help? 

I may have been the only CTRS with a master’s degree on the panel. I’m not sure. I don’t recall any members strongly advocating for getting a master’s degree. I argued that many of our professional colleagues in social worker, physical therapy, mental health counselling, occupational therapy are the process or have already moved their entry-level as having a Master’s degree.

Based on my understanding, the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) had created the specialty certification certificates to help increase the number of CTRS with a graduate level degree. 

How do you get a new intervention at your facility?

 My answer: if you’re working at a facility that does not offer an activity-based treatment intervention, then you could ask someone who is trained and experienced to come and give a presentation. That individual could help provide resources and connections to help your facility to open up a program.

 Feel free to Ask Danny questions and he’ll post them at his blog for others to read as well. 

TR with students by Maggie Whaley

Maggie Whaley provided a session titled: Conversation Café’: Exploring therapeutic recreation with students on Saturday, April 2^nd, 2016 at the Great Lakes Recreational Therapy Student Conference.

Maggie is great. She donates her own time to serve at the Student Chair of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). That is really great of you. Also: it is evident that being a member of ATRA also means that she is donating money to our profession/ professional association as evidenced by paying her annual membership dues.

She had the members break down in small groups of three or four.

Groups received a large sheet of paper (like a giant stick-it –note) with instruction to draw/ write/ create answers to several questions:

Regarding how people with various abilities are perceived.

What RT can do to advocate.

It appears that there are many wonderful ideas coming from this.

I feel confident that some neat promotional efforts are going to be the result of the student committee.

Those students will be tomorrow’s leaders of ATRA and our profession.

ATRA has a blog (including a student blog).

I, Danny P. have viewed the student blog a few times and posted feedback and comments.

Get involved. Join ATRA. Participate. Give back. 

Importance of ATRA with Dr. McCormick, GLRTSC

Where do you get your insights and updates about our profession?

My answer: Our professional association!

Dr. Bryan McCormick (professor) at Indianan presented on the importance of professional associations at the Great Lake Recreational Therapy Student Conference (GL RT SC)on Sat. April 2, 2016.

Dr. McCormick is well known in the field. He has served on the board of directors for ATRA. He is also the author of nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications and 11 book chapters.

Dr. McCormick was my professor when I had attended Indianan University.

I’ve been a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) since either 2000 or 2001. I may have joined in 1999. Regardless, I wanted to share some of the information about it.

Here are a few of my personal notes taken during Dr. McCormick’s session:

We NEED strong local and national associations.

Our collective efforts are stronger over any one of our individual efforts alone.

ATRA has two main purposes:

1.)    Advocate
2.)    Enhance outcomes for the public/ clients we serve

All members of ATRA are part of the association.
Danny’s comment: as a member, I think it is a really cool club.

The majority of the work done for the association is done by volunteers/ members of the association.

Peter Thomas is the association’s legislative counselor. Danny P. comments: Mr. Thomas is a great guy. I’ve met him a few times before. His story: car accident as a child. He lost both legs. Received recreational therapy at the hospital (I think in Denver). He is an advocate for Rec therapy today.

When did ATRA start? 

Way back in 1984, 50 individuals founded the association with their own money. Dr. McCormick didn’t say how much they donated during this session, but I [Danny P.] believe recalling that each one of those individuals donated $1,000 of their own money to start the association.  Nobody asked them to do this. They took the initiative and did it.

Here are four areas that ATRA covers:

a.)    Credentialing
The number one reason to license a profession is to protect the public.
Danny P. comments: A person without a license (the layperson) who is not trained and experienced is most likely a good person. He or she wants to help as well. This person has very good intentions. However, because of their lack of training they could cause serious harm to a person with serious illness or disability.

b.)    Evolving healthcare
U.S. is # 1 in cost. It is expensive. Norway is second in expense.
However, despite these costs, the U.S. is ranked 11^th in being effective.
The least costly setting is in the community. It consists of keeping people healthy in the first place. It is preventative healthy. Prevention is a lot cheaper than treatment.

Three levels: it is a lot like a triangle.

Top very small part of the triangle is: prevention
Secondary – middle part of triangle: reduce the consequences of the problem.
Primary: treating illness.

Evidenced-based practice is that there is scientific research that gives proof that an intervention/ treatment/ activity really brings about outcomes. Dr. McCormick said it takes 16 years to go from discovery (that it works) to being implemented in practice.

c.)     Affordable Care Act (ACA)  - Obama Care
The future is uncertain. Many politicians claim they will repeal it. However, there are many aspects of it that has been implemented that would be hard to change.
The individual mandate may be repealed.

d.)    Public Policy and Advocacy

ATRA has very low numbers. Only 11% of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) are members of ATRA. That is not even 1/3.

• The physical therapy association has an annual budget of 26 million
• The occupational therapy association has a budget of 9.5 million a year.
• ATRA doesn’t even have a million. It has a .25 million annual budget.

Barriers: people claim it is the cost.

The physical therapy association has higher membership dues. Of course, many people claim, sure they make more. However, the cost based on salary is still more expensive for PT to be a member compared to the cost of a RT being a member of ATRA.

What does it cost?

Dr. McCormick shared the example of someone brining two happy meals in and saying the cost of ATRA is two-happy meals a month. It is affordable.

Dr. McCormick shared that membership is different from being a customer.
A customer wants to get the most out of it for the cheapest price.

Membership is different. Like the JFK quote: ask now what you country can do for you but what you can do for your country. Membership is really about taking the personal responsibility to stand up for your profession and the people who receive recreational therapy services (in the U.S.) by making a membership donation to a very good cause: ATRA.

Danny's comments:

There are two ways you can help advocate for our profession.

# 1. Money: donate your money to ATRA. I’d like to argue that membership is given to anyone who makes the membership donation.  No other person is going to advocate for RT like you can. Your boss/ supervisor, co-workers, or anyone else is not going to do it. It is up to you to promote ATRA.

# 2. Time donate your own time to serve ATRA. I don’t want to sound ageist. I hope I am being politically correct in saying this. ATRA as a whole has a lot of aging members. There are people who are ready to retire and move on in life. The association needs more active/ younger blood. I’d argue that if you (the person reading this blog) wanted any position in ATRA that you could get it. Run for any position and get elected. So what if you don’t get elected the first year. There are many more years. You’ll get your turn too.

Transparency: You might be asking, "Danny, why are you not a board member?" As you already know, I run and operate, DannyPettry, LLC, which could be a conflict of interest if I was on the board. However, I do volunteer my time to present at conferences, to assist with projects and other activities. I also make my annual membership donation to ATRA.

JOIN ATRA!

Note: I danny pettry, am not an official spokesperson for ATRA. I am simply one member who encourages more to join our cause. http://www.atra-online.com/

Shout-outs: Jared Allsop and Randy Wyble!

Thank you: shout outs!

I wanted to say thanks so much to Jared Allsop (Indiana University) and Randy Wyble (Grand Valley State University) for putting together the Great Lakes Recreational Therapy Student Conference. IT was such a great program. I heard there were over 100 students and I must say that each one I had spoken too was very passionate and caring. 

Excellence in Education Award

Recreational Therapy Program at Florida International University had won the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s Excellence in Education Award this year!

Congratulations to my good friend Dr. Alexis McKenney, CTRS who has done a great deal to keep their program alive.

Their school has a really nice web-site for Recreational Therapists too. Check it out here:
http://www.iamarecreationaltherapist.com

Internship in Bend, OR

Bend Parks and Recreation in Bend Oregon is still seeking potential interns for the fall semester. If you know any students interested please forward the attached information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Cheryl Kelley
Therapuetic Recreation Coordinator
799 SW Columbia Street Bend, OR 97702

Office: (541) 389-7275 ext. 121
Direct: (541) 706-6121
FAX: (541) 388-5429
www.bendparksandrec.org

Save UNO! Update

Heather Holmes posted this info. at the facebook page to save the RT program at UNO:

The Meeing is scheduled to discuss the RT specialization at UNO on Thursday, June 2. at Noon in Room 104 of the HPER Building. You just need to walk in straight ahead. You do not have to go through the turnstiles. Walk in the front entrance go straight ahead past the student health services office and the couches and you will see an Exit sign on the right. Go into the hall of the exit sign and Room 104 is right there,

Send positive thoughts and energy RT's :)

Save UNO!

Dear friends,

I received this email from Heather Holmes via the ATRA List-Serv.

She said:

We need your support!

The ONLY Recreational Therapy program in the state of Nebraska is in jeopardy of being eliminated. It currently is at the University of Nebraska Omaha. I have joined with other Recreational Therapists to show and educate the University of Nebraska at Omaha about the importance of this program to our state and our health care system.

A Facebook page (Save RT at UNO and in NEBRASKA) has been created to gain momentum for the RT program at UNO, I encourage you to join!

Thank you in advance for your support of our profession,

Heather.

Here is the facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_213665905321637

Earn a M.S. in Rec Therapy Admin at ECU!

My good friend and mentor, Thomas Skalko (East Carolina University) fwd. the following email at the ATRA list-serve today: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share information about a distinct Master of Science Degree offered at East Carolina University. Please share this with your colleagues orstudents who are looking to study: recreational therapy administration or recreation and park administration. Master of Science Degree in Recreational Therapy Administration, East Carolina University. We believe the RTA degree to be a premier program in Recreational Therapy. We have eight CTRS/LRT faculty teaching in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services. The graduate degree in Recreational Therapy Administration focuses on usingrecreation as a therapy in clinical settings to improve the health and quality of life for patients, and others who are have physical, emotional, or cognitive impairments. Faculty and graduate students are engaged in research and outreach projects with the extensive therapy division of ECU’s Brody School of Medicine as well as with partners working on community integration, aquatic therapy interventions, biofeedback, and adaptive sports. Our graduates are prepared to meet national certification and state licensure standards and are trained to administer recreational therapy departments in a variety of settings. Master of Science Degree in Recreation and Park Administration, East Carolina University Students pursuing the MS Degree in Recreation and Park Administration have a wide range of goals and interests. These diverse interests in community recreation and sports, commercial recreation and tourism, youth development, and natural resource management are mentored by 11 graduate faculty members who serve the RPA program. The faculty members involved in this degree conduct a wide range of externally funded research projects that engage graduate students in the research process. East Carolina University considers this a research intensive degree and our graduates are prepared to design and administer quality program evaluations, community assessments and theoretical research for their agencies upon graduation for the RPA program. We are also proud to note that since the year 2001, more than a dozen graduates from this MS program have moved forward into PhD programs with at least five serving currently working as research and teaching faculty worldwide. Academic Common Market Students interested in the MS in Recreational Therapy Administration are eligible for the Academic Common Market. The Academic Common Market (ACM) a program of the Southern Regional Education Board which allows qualified students from the 16 partner states to pay in-state tuition and fees. Participating states include: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, and students apply through their own state ACM Coordinator (www.sreb.org) Application Requirements For application, three letters of reference are required as well as original transcripts, a statement of purpose, application fee and acceptable GRE or GMAT scores, (TOEFL score is also required for international applicants). All candidates offered admission will be considered for financial support and graduate assistantships as they are available. Currently funding is available in selected projects and programs. Applications received by June 1, 2011 will be given priority review with rolling reviews of subsequent applicants into early summer as space is available. We anticipate admitting 12-15 new students into each M.S. program for the fall. For additional information, please see the information at the following web sites: MS in Recreational Therapy Administration www.ecu.edu/rcls/rta MS in Recreation and Park Administration www.ecu.edu/rcls/rpa Graduate School, East Carolina University www.ecu.edu/gradschool Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies www.ecu.edu/rcls Should you have any specific questions regarding the program or the application, please contact: Kindal A. Shores, PhD Director of the RCLS Graduate Programs East Carolina University Phone: (252) 328-5649

Interview Tips

If you aren't already doing so, then, I'd recommend for you to start following Dr. David Austin's Recreational Therapy blog.

He posts useful information. I'm a Rec. Therapist and I enjoy his blog.

Many RTs who follow my blog may like to know that Dr. Austin posted some tips for winning an interview at his blog.

Attn: Students in RT/TR degree programs and people looking for employment as a RT --
You've got to read these tips. Go here now:

http://rt-blog.blogspot.com/2011/03/impressive-job-candidate-qualities.html

2011 Peg Connolly Scholarship for Students

Heather Sedletzeck CTRS, DT sent me an email about the 2011 Peg Connolly Scholarship program for students.

I'd like to suggest that any student in a Therapeutic Recreation/ Rec. Therapy degree program should apply for this scholarship.

I'm pleased to say that I had won this scholarship in 2004! Basically, the winner gets to go to the annual American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) conference for FREE. Well, they get to assist with the training sessions for Recreational Therapists such as: observing the training sessions and making sure people get counted for attending these sessions.

But the BIG/ HUGE benefits for a student is getting to meet Rec. Therapists from nearly every state in American and others from Canada and many other places. Who knows -- you may meet a future employer. Plus, the training sessions are valuable.

I love attending the ATRA conference. The first one I attened was in 2004 in Kansas City when I had won the Peg Connolly Scholarship. Since then I've attended two mid-year ATRA conferences in D.C. and the annual in Minneapolis a while back.

Here is the main information you need to know to apply for this scholarship:

Deadline March 25, 2011

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is excited to provide
the opportunity for students within the field of therapeutic recreation
to receive the Peg Connolly Scholarship. Named in honor of
Dr. Peg Connolly, the first President
of The American Therapeutic Recreation Association,
this program provides a tremendous experience for students.

Here are the Program Basics:

What? Eight stipends are available to attend ATRA’s Annual Conference, including conference registration, lodging accommodations and meal stipend ($100). Students are responsible for their transportation to/from the conference. This scholarship is a “working scholarship”. Students assist in various aspects of implementing the conference such as room hosting, registration and monitoring social events.

Who? This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in a therapeutic recreation program during the conference year.

Where? The 2011 Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When? You must be able to attend a mandatory training on September 17, 2011 as well as the ATRA Annual Conference from September 18 - 21, 2011.

Why? This program has tremendous personal and professional benefits and rewards. Not only do students gain professional knowledge from sessions, students have the opportunity to network with professionals from around the country. ATRA believes the future of our field depends on the continuing growth of students. Today, many former scholarship recipients prove this belief by serving vital roles within our profession.

How? Follow the steps indicated on the scholarship application by the established deadline. ATRA wishes to reward students who demonstrate exceptional competence in the field of therapeutic recreation on the basis of their academic achievement, personal and professional philosophy, leadership skills and other occupational achievements. All application materials must be submitted electronically. Transcripts may be mailed. Due to the competitiveness of this scholarship, students will only be eligible to receive this award one time during their academic pursuits

Certification info. for students

Hello there

Recently, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) presented "Certification 101." This session outlines the certification standards pertaining to the application for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. It was created to help students understand the application process, the exam format, and the process for maintaining certification.

It was prestned by Robin McNeal, CTRS who is a credentialing specialist for NCTRC.

You can download the notes that this link (as of now). I'm not sure how long this link will stay open:

http://www.atra-online.com/associations/10488/files/Webinar2011Cert101handout.pdf

yours,
Danny.

Students: Certification information.

Recently, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) presented "Certification 101." This session outlines the certification standards pertaining to the application for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. It was created to help students understand the application process, the exam format, and the process for maintaining certification.

It was prestned by Robin McNeal, CTRS who is a credentialing specialist for NCTRC.

You can download the notes that this link (as of now). I'm not sure how long this link will stay open:

http://www.atra-online.com/associations/10488/files/Webinar2011Cert101handout.pdf

yours,
Danny.

Internship Fair

I received an email about an internship fair.

Here it is:

Greetings RT Students,

The Recreational Therapy Student Club at FIU would like to invite you to the 2011 RT Internship Fair on Wednesday March 2nd, 2011. The purpose of this event is to learn more about different internship opportunities, and also to meet some of the Professionals in our field. The location is to be arranged; we will update this information not later than next week.

A reception followed by light refreshments will be provided for professionals and students. There will be a mandatory meeting led by Dr. McKenney at 2:30pm for those who will be completing their internship during Summer and Fall of 2011 or Spring of 2012.

Please reply to this message promptly. It is very important to us for have an accurate number of students that will be attending this event in order to have a positive outcome. Please feel free to contact the RTC President, Jobeth Ramirez at jrami046@fiu.edu or the Club Advisor, Dr. Alexis McKenney at mckenney@fiu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Click the following link to find the Modesto Meidique Campus map http://campusmaps.fiu.edu/

Dr. Austin's Lessons Learned -- Letter to RT Students

I wish I could attend this event, but regret to say that I won't be able to because of the distance. Dr. David Austin is one of my professional mentors. I seek his advice from time to time. I had selected to complete my graduate degree at Indiana University because I knew Dr. Austin taught there and I had read several of his books during undergraduate school.

Here is the Event Information:

DATE: Friday February 11, 2011 2:45-4:15 p.m.

TITLE OF SESSION: Lessons learned: an open letter to RT students and Practitioners

LOCATION: UNCG Main Campus, HHP Building Room 400. Park in the Walker Ave parking deck. We are just across the street.

SPEAKER: Dr. David Austin is the author of over 100 articles and sev­eral textbooks, including the widely used book, Therapeutic Recreation: Processes and Techniques, now in its sixth edition. His most recent book is titled Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioners.

He is the developer of one of the leading conceptual models in recreation therapy, the Health Protection/Health Promotion Model. He is the only individual to have received the NTRS Distinguished Ser­vice Award, the ATRA Distinguished Fellow Award, and the SPRE Distinguished Fellow Award.

We have applied for Continuing Education Credits for this free workshop.(not approved yet) The filing fee is $10 to receive the official transcript after the workshop.

Please join us at UNCG Health and Human Performance Building Room 400 from 2:45-4:15 on Friday February 11 for this interactive and important workshop!

And if you've not done so already -- you should get a copy of his book.
Go to this link:
.

Peg Connolly Scholarship Program

I had won the Peg Connolly Student Scholarship in 2004 to attend the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s conference in Kansas City, Missouri. I had also assisted with training the Peg Connolly Scholarship winners at the 2009 ATRA conference in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Heather Sedletzeck, CTRS, DT is on the 2011Peg Connolly Scholarship Selection Committee.
She asked people to help get the word out about the scholarship program for this year.

As a former Peg Connolly Scholarship recipient, I can say that this is a very rewarding experience that any student in the field should attempt to win.
Here is the information about the scholarship:

The Peg Connolly Scholarship Announcement
2011 ATRA Annual Conference

Deadline March 25, 2011

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is excited to provide
the opportunity for students within the field of therapeutic recreation
to receive the Peg Connolly Scholarship. Named in honor of Dr. Peg Connolly, the first President
of The American Therapeutic Recreation Association, this program provides a tremendous experience for students.

Here are the Program Basics:

What?
Eight stipends are available to attend ATRA’s Annual Conference, including conference registration, lodging accommodations and meal stipend ($100). Students are responsible for their transportation to/from the conference. This scholarship is a “working scholarship”. Students assist in various aspects of implementing the conference such as room hosting, registration and monitoring social events.

Who?
This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in a therapeutic recreation program during the conference year.

Where?
The 2011 Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When?
You must be able to attend a mandatory training on September 17, 2011 as well as the ATRA Annual Conference from September 18 - 21, 2011.

Why?
This program has tremendous personal and professional benefits and rewards. Not only do students gain professional knowledge from sessions, students have the opportunity to network with professionals from around the country. ATRA believes the future of our field depends on the continuing growth of students. Today, many former scholarship recipients prove this belief by serving vital roles within our profession.

How?
Follow the steps indicated on the scholarship application by the established deadline. ATRA wishes to reward students who demonstrate exceptional competence in the field of therapeutic recreation on the basis of their academic achievement, personal and professional philosophy, leadership skills and other occupational achievements. All application materials must be submitted electronically. Transcripts may be mailed. Due to the competitiveness of this scholarship, students will only be eligible to receive this award one time during their academic pursuits.

Email Heather for an application:
HeatherCTRS (at) bizma.rr.com
Note: I replaced the “@” with “at” to prevent spam. Some computer applications randomly search the internet for posted links so they can send spam.