RT Blog

RT Faculty Openings -- But Where are Applicants?

2012-02-10T12:47:00.003-05:00

I replied to an ATRAnet listserv message from Professor Chuck Killingworth in which Chuck asked how many RT faculty positions are being advertised. This is what Chuck replied to me:

"Hi, Dave! Thanks for responding. This raises, again, the question:
what is going to happen to RT/TR education? There are at least 7 universities in the process of seeking to hire someone in our area with a CTRS credential. I wonder how many eligible, potential applicants are there and what the pool is for this area?"

Chuck is absolutely right in asking the profession about what is going on in terms of the preparation of Ph.D.s to assume faculty positions in RT. The lack of an adequate number of well prepared Ph.D.s should be a grave concern for the entire profession.

Position in Idaho

2012-02-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Journeys Developmental Disability Agency is looking for a CTRS in the area to fill a job opportunity. Journeys, located in Rexburg and Rigby, Idaho, serves developmentally disabled adults and children. We provide Developmental Therapy individually and as groups, as well as Adult Day Care and other services for children.

Position Available: CTRS and Developmental Specialist

Job Description: Plan and implement group activities for Developmental Therapy as well as activities and events for Adult Day Care, involving groups ranging from 3 to 50+. Complete evaluations of participants and the renewal process for specific individualized plans, including strengths/needs assessments, objective writing, objective implementing, progress evaluations, etc.

Job Training: Training will be provided in regards to specific Developmental Specialist duties and paperwork. With group activities we strongly encourage creativity and variety but no specific training will be included with them other than a knowledge of former activities and events.

If interested, please call Andy Crossman at 208-709-0537 or email him at royaljourneys@msn.com

Deadline for Annual Protocol Submissions Extended

2012-02-07T10:52:00.004-05:00

Jennifer A. Piatt, CTRS, Ph.D. has announced the deadline has been extended for submission of a protocol to the Annual in Therapetic Recreation to March 19, 2012.

Evidence-based practice is an important concept in recreational therapy. The development of evidence-based intervention protocol has been promoted as a means of integrating research evidence with clinical judgment to provide effective, outcome-based practice in recreational therapy in order to improve the knowledge base in the field (Buettner & Fitzsimmons, 2006). The Annual in Therapeutic Recreation is soliciting practitioner and student manuscripts on intervention protocols for recreational therapy practice.

Submit Practice Protocols electronically by March 19, 2012 to:

Professor Nancy E. Richeson, Ph.D., CTRS
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth Street
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104-9300
207-780-4646 (phone)
207-780-5654 (fax)
richeson@usm.maine.edu

or if you have questions please contact:

Jennifer A. Piatt, CTRS, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Indiana University
School of HPER
Department of RPTS
HPER Building 133
1025 E. 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
(812) 855-7819
jenpiatt@indiana.edu

Let’s Recognize Ira Hutchinson

2012-02-05T11:50:00.001-05:00

During February, we are celebrating both RT Month and Black History Month. It seems to me this is a very appropriate time to recognize Ira Hutchinson, one of the true pioneers in recreational therapy.

I hope university faculty will mark the occasion of RT Month and Black History Month by exposing students to the contributions Ira made to advance our profession.

There are a couple of resources I can recommend. One is a tribute to Ira written by David Park that appeared in the book Conceptual Foundations for Therapeutic Recreation (Austin, Dattilo, & McCormick, 2002, Venture Publishing, pp. 335-336.

The other resource is the video “Ira Hutchinson: African-American Pioneer in Therapeutic Recreation.” This video tribute appeared in the Recreation Therapy Video titled “Portraits of Pioneers in Therapeutic Recreation,” which is available as a free online service from the Indiana University Library. To access the video, type Recreation Therapy Videos into the search box or use the address: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/3378

Once you reach the list of 23 Recreation Therapy Videos, click on the title “Portraits of Pioneers in Therapeutic Recreation,” which will open up information on the video. Click on the information following the term location and the video will come up. The segment on Ira begins at 10:23 and ends at 17:40.

Universities Graduate Assistantships?

2012-02-04T16:47:00.002-05:00

So far, I have seen announcements from Indiana University and the University of New Hampshire that they have graduate assistantships available for 2012-13. Other universities that have assistantships, please send your announcements to me so I can post them on the RT Blog.

RT Month AND Chocolate Month!

2012-02-03T14:50:00.002-05:00

This is not only National RT Month -- it is also National Chocolate Month -- two of my favorite things!

Assistantships at New Hampshire

2012-02-03T10:38:00.001-05:00

From Professor Allison Wilder, Ph.D., CTRS:

Graduate Assistantships
Department of Recreation Management and Policy
University of New Hampshire

The Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire is pleased to announce Graduate Assistantship openings focused on recreation therapy for the fall 2012 semester. Students with an interest in efficacy-based research, health promotion, community-based RT, and/or aging are especially encouraged to apply.

There are two types of Graduate Assistantships offered through the department:

Teaching Assistantship: Teaching Assistants are hired to assist faculty in teaching undergraduate courses. Responsibilities may include presentation of selected lectures, group discussion leadership, class organization and management tasks and identification and organization of class resources. Teaching assistants are mentored by the faculty and receive constructive evaluative feedback concerning their pedagogy skills.

Research Assistantship. Research Assistants are hired to assist faculty in research projects related to the faculty member’s area of expertise and research agenda. Assistants have an opportunity to develop research skills in literature review, data collection and data analysis.

A full graduate assistantship includes tuition waiver and a graduate stipend. Stipend amount is determined each year. Students are generally required to work 20 hours per week throughout the academic year.

For more information regarding the Graduate Program please go to http://www.chhs.unh.edu/rmp/programs_grad_rmp.html.

If you have any questions regarding the specific concentration areas, please contact either Dr. Boyd Hegarty (boyd.hegarty@unh.edu) or Dr. Allison Wilder (allison.wilder@unh.edu)

ATRA Newsletter Deadline

2012-02-02T22:13:00.003-05:00

From Jean Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS, ATRA Newsletter Editor:

The deadline for the Spring ATRA Newsletter is February 15. Please send to jfolkerth@hotmail.com

The Newsletter is what you make it so we welcome all announcements, articles, news, etc. Let us hear from you.

1,700 Posts on RT Blog

2012-02-02T22:10:00.002-05:00

There have been 1,700 posts on the RT Blog since it began in April of 2006. You can read them all as each is archieved on the RT Blog page.

Hope Everyone is Celebrating RT Month

2012-02-01T14:46:00.002-05:00

I sure hope every university with a RT curriculum is celebrating RT Month -- and, of course, that all agencies with RT programs are celebrating as well! We have a wonderful profession that we should show pride in.

ATRA Webinars Available

2012-02-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

From Jean Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS, ATRA Academy Coordinator:

We continue with our Evidence Based Practice webinars with:
Health Benefits of Aquatic Therapy: Why Water Works by Dr. Ellen Broach on February 1 and
Community-Integration: What the Research Evidence Tells Us to Improve Our Practice by Dr. Norma Stumbo on February 15.

We also offer the last 2 sessions in our Behavioral Health I webinars:
Social Skills Training for Schizophrenia by Mary Maina on February 8 and
Integration of Cognitive Therapy Techniques with RT by Glenn Kastrinos on February 22

We begin our new Management Series in February with
Moving from TR Practitioner to Supervisor by Dr. Mary Ann Keogh Hoss on February 17 and
Budgeting Basics by Rebecca Stackhouse on February 24

We also want to remind schools and universities that our Certification 101 session is offered on February 22. Remember this is a special session for schools and universities. It is only $25 and if the timing is not good for your students, you must sign up for it and then you can use it over the next 2 weeks as replay whenever is convenient for you. This is presented by NCTRC. There are no CEUs offered for this webinar.

Remember you can sign up for these webinars and others at the ATRA website. If I can assist you in anyway, please feel free to contact me at jfolkerth@hotmail.com. I look forward to meeting you on the webinars!

February is RT Month!

2012-01-31T10:23:00.001-05:00

RT Month begins tomorrow, February 1st. Celebrate!

Several RT Faculty Openings

2012-01-30T14:15:00.003-05:00

I just posted information on the RT faculty opening at East Carolina. It reminded me that I've previously posted openings at Pittsburg State University and Brockport State. Indiana University is also seeking a scholar with interest in health and recreation.

There may be other openings that have not come to mind. If so, please let me know so I can post them on the RT Blog.

Faculty Opening at East Carolina

2012-01-30T14:09:00.001-05:00

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY (Position #: 937322)
POSITION:
East Carolina University seeks an individual to fill a nine-month, tenure track assistant/associate professor in the Recreational Therapy program of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RCLS) within the College of Health and Human Performance effective August 20, 2012.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:
Teach in the graduate and undergraduate Recreational Therapy (RT) degree programs and in the professional core. Contribute to the advancement and promotion of Recreational Therapy degree programs, supervise Recreational Therapy student field experiences, mentor students on academic procedures and career goals, and engage in outreach with the health care community. Expectations include instruction, externally funded scholarly research; participation in research/creative activity and scholarly publication; and service to the university, community, and profession.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Doctoral degree required with at least one degree or emphasis/concentration in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. Strong professional practitioner experience and NCTRC certification as CTRS required. Applicant must obtain licensure as a Licensed Recreational Therapist in North Carolina prior to employment (www.ncbrtl.org). Demonstrated record of teaching effectiveness, research, and publication required. The ideal candidate will complement or build upon at least one program area including: gerontology, behavioral/mental health, physical rehabilitation, youth development, aquatic therapy, or psychophysiology. Candidates expected to complete a doctoral degree by December 2012 will be considered.
RANK AND SALARY:
Rank and salary commensurate with professional background and experience.
THE DEPARTMENT:
One of three departments within the College of Health and Human Performance, the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is comprised of 18 full-time faculty members including seven Licensed Recreational Therapists/Certified TR Specialists. Please visit www.ecu.edu/rcls for more information about the department.
THE UNIVERSITY:
East Carolina University, the third largest institution in the University of North Carolina System, is located in Greenville, approximately 90 miles east of the Research Triangle Park and 60 miles west of the Outer Banks and coastal resorts. A city of approximately 85,000, Greenville is within a five-hour drive of Washington, DC and it serves as the educational, cultural, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. A faculty of over 1,867 guide approximately 27,700 students enrolled in 104Bachelor, 72 Master, 18 Doctoral, and 1 Medical Professional degree tracks. It is a Carnegie Doctoral Research Intensive university and consists of 12 colleges/professional schools, including the recognized Brody School of Medicine.
SCREENING AND APPLICATION:
Application screening begins February 10, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position applications must provide 1) a letter of application, 2) a current curriculum vita, 3) contact information for three references specific to this position, and 4) transcripts of all academic work. Interested applicants should log on to http://ecu.peopleadmin.com/hr to view job posting details and candidate information. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Ms. Vickie Best at bestv@ecu.edu of 252-328-0038. For questions about the program or the specific position, contact Dr. David Loy at loyd@ecu.edu or 252-328-2718.
ECU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University and accommodates individuals with disabilities. Individuals requesting a disability accommodation should call the ECU Office of Disability Support Services at 252-328-6799 (Voice/TTY/Relay). Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Official transcript required upon employment.

Recreation Therapy Store has Items

2012-01-29T21:08:00.003-05:00

Charlie Dixon, M.S., CTRS, reminds us that for items to celebrate RT Month you can go to the Recreation Therapy Store at www.recreationtherapystore.com

Research Institute Submissions by February 15th

2012-01-29T21:03:00.002-05:00

Reminder: The deadline for submissions to the 2012 ATRA Research Institute is February 15. The event will be held in conjunction with the ATRA Annual Conference in Phoenix October 12-15. Feel free to share this information with any colleagues who might have an interest in submitting a proposal.

Contact Research Institute Co-chairs for questions,
Jo Ann Coco-Ripp rippjc@wssu.edu
Sandra Klitzing slklitz@ilstu.edu

Licensure Work of Robin Wexler & Others Impressive

2012-01-29T16:05:00.002-05:00

Robin Wexler and others have been working very hard to license therapeutic recreation in New York. Their efforts are impressive. Should be a good model for other states.

Faculty Position Open

2012-01-27T14:12:00.001-05:00

The following faculty opening sent by Chuck Killingsworth:

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education
Health, Human Performance & Recreation Department
Assistant Professor

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) at Pittsburg State University is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor of HHPR.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Recreation, primarily Therapeutic Recreation.
Perform departmental, college and university service.
Maintain a record of scholarship.

Minimum Qualifications:
Terminal degree in Recreation or related discipline (ABD will be considered)
Hold at least one degree in Recreation
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or eligible for acquisition of CTRS credentials within 6 months of hire.
Potential for success in teaching, scholarship and service.

Preferred Qualifications:
Terminal degree in Recreation or related discipline.
Hold at least one degree in Recreation.
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Professional experience working with individuals with special needs.
A record of successful college teaching, scholarly activities and service endeavors.

Position Start Date:
August 13, 2012

Salary:
Competitive

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Physical Activity Research

2012-01-27T10:27:00.003-05:00

MedPage Today contained an article titled "Many RA Patients Inactive Despite Benefits of Exercise." The study reported on 2 major findings: (1)More than 40% of adults with rheumatoid arthritis were physically inactive at the start of the study; (2) 53% of participants lacked strong motivation for physical activity and 49% lacked strong beliefs in the benefits of activity.

The study certainly has implications for RTs working with clients with rheumatoid arthritis. It would be good if RTs did research on their programs for persons with arthritis.

The primary source for the study; Lee, J., et al. (2012) The public health impact of risk factors for physical inactivity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research; DOI: 10.1002/acr.21582.

February is RT/TR Month

2012-01-24T10:58:00.001-05:00

In case you missed the January 20th RT Blog post, February is RT/TR Month. Go to the ATRA website for items to purchase to celebrate.

State & College Contests at ATRA Mid-Year

2012-01-24T10:37:00.002-05:00

From Lisa Morgan, CTRS, ATRA Federal Public Policy...

For ATRA 2012 Midyear Conference:
The State and the College with the most representation for ATRA's Day On The Hill, will be honored Tuesday Evening with a very "Special Gift" for each participant!

Who will win this challenge??

Good luck to all colleges and states!

ATRA Mid-Year Early Bird Approaching

2012-01-24T10:32:00.002-05:00

From Lisa Morgan via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Hello Everyone. Don't want anyone to miss the Early Bird Registration Opportunity that ends January 27th, 2012!!

We are getting closer to time for our Profession to "Take Charge" for our profession. The 2012 ATRA Mid-Year Conference on Public Policy is scheduled for Feb. 26-28, 2012 in Baltimore, MD. This conference will be packed full of critical information to help move Recreational Therapy forward in current legislation.

The first day of this conference proves to be a day of amazing opportunity!

Sunday, February 26th:
*An all-day: Dementia Practice Guidelines training and certification will be offered.
*A half-day: State Licensurer- The Nuts and the Bolts will be offered. (INCLUDED in the price for the conference registration)
*The Honorable U.S. House of Representative Glenn Thompson from Pennsylvania will kick off our main event on the first evening.

Monday, February 27th:
*Many sessions will be offered to plan for our Powerful Day On The Hill in Washington, DC.
*Information and specific Talking Points will be highlighted throughout the day in sessions offered.
*ATRA Legislative Counsel Peter Thomas will wrap up our day by fully explaining the current affairs of Federal Public Policy and challenges Recreational Therapy faces at this time.

Tuesday, February 28th:
*Recreational Therapist join together on Capital Hill to promote and advocate for our services. Please join us as we continue to work hard to make a difference in legislative language to protect the consumers we serve as a profession. (An ATRA team is working closely with each state to make this process as easy as possible prior to going to this conference. Please don't decide not to go because of fear. We will help to ensure a possible experience of a lifetime! You can make a difference.)

Don't Miss The Deadline for Hotel and Registration.

2012 ATRA Mid-Year Forum on Public Policy:
Taking Charge of Your Profession

Reserve your room by 5:00PM EST January 27th to get the best rates! Reduced lodging rates have been secured at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland: $119 single/double; $139 triple; $159 quad (+ applicable state and local taxes, currently 15.5%). Call (800) 325-3535 or click to make reservations.

Registration discounts are available through midnight or on any form postmarked January 27th. Both online and printable registration are available. Please review the program for educational offerings and travel guidance.

The Federal Public Policy Team welcomes any questions you may have! Hope to see you in Baltimore/DC!

ATRA Student Opportunity

2012-01-23T20:49:00.004-05:00

From Heather J. Sedletzeck, CTRS:
The Peg Connolly Scholarship Announcement
2012 ATRA Annual Conference
Deadline March 23, 2012

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 atremendous 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 2012 Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona.
When?You must be able to attend a mandatory training on October 10, 2012
as well as the ATRA Annual Conference from October 11 – 15, 2012
(please note that these dates include pre-con sessions).
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.
--
Heather J. Sedletzeck, CTRS, President RT Solutions, Inc.
www.rtsolutionsinc.com
812-917-4529 (o)
812-878-6872 (c)

ATRA Webinar Reminder

2012-01-23T14:00:00.001-05:00

From Jean Folkerth:

Just a reminder that the Behavioral Health webinar sereis will begin this Wednesday. We are very excited about this series. Join us to learn more....Go to the ATRA website and sign up!

Annual MSs Due February 14, 2012

2012-01-22T09:48:00.002-05:00

From Jennifer A. Piatt, Ph.D., CTRS:

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is pleased to invite the submission of manuscripts for the Volume 20 of the Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, the official research journal of the association. The purpose of the Annual is to further advance the body of knowledge of the therapeutic recreation profession by creating new knowledge and understandings in practice and in education. The Annual publishes a wide range of original, peer-reviewed articles such as

* Evidence-based practice/Empirical studies
* Systematic reviews
* Application of theories or models to practice and education
* Program or service evaluations/Case studies
* Methodological reviews
* Current issues and trends in service delivery or education
* Innovations in service delivery or education
* Practice protocols

Please see the attached call for submission of manuscripts for more detail. Send all submissions electronically to Co-Editors, Dr. Jennifer Piatt at jenpiatt@indiana.edu and Dr. Marieke Van Puymbroeck at mvp@indiana.edu. Deadline for submission is February 14, 2012.

Jennifer A. Piatt, Ph.D., CTRS
Assistant Professor
Indiana University
School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies HPER Building 133
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
jenpiatt@indiana.edu

TRJ Call for Papers

2012-01-20T21:34:00.003-05:00

Therapeutic Recreation Journal (TRJ) Call for Papers:

Special Issue on "Collaborative Practices and Physical Activity"

This special issue will address collaborative practices and physical activity. Authors may combine these topics into one manuscript or address a topic specifically. It is well documented that collaborative partnerships can enhance the delivery of therapeutic services throughout the continuum of care and improve outcome-based research (Shank, Coyle, Boyd, & Kinney, 1996). In hospital and rehabilitative settings, partners may include treatment team members, administrators, patients, and family members. In community settings, partners may include social service agencies, schools, community recreation providers, and family (Scholl, Dieser, & Davidson, 2005). Establishing a collaborative relationship implies that two or more parties share a common goal such as delivery of physical activity programs and each has a vital role in accomplishing that goal. Inherent in this relationship is the need for clear communication, shared decision-making, mutual respect, and pooling of resources (Klitzing, 2002). If successful, all parties can accomplish more than they could individually, and the result is enhanced outcomes for the patient. However, collaboration requires considerable effort to foster a mutual understanding and time to develop the required skills and basic functions critical to the team's success (Connolly & Novak, 2002). This special issue will explore collaborative practices that have positively impacted service delivery and resulted in innovative programs or research in therapeutic recreation.
Physical activity and exercise have received considerable attention for their role in the prevention and treatment of disease. Physical activity is considered by many national and global health authorities to be one of the most important activities that individuals can regularly do to improve health (National Physical Activity Plan, 2011). Regular physical activity and exercise can help control weight, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduce the risk of some cancers, strengthen muscle and bones, improve mental health and mood, and increase longevity (CDC, 2011). However, individuals with disabilities face a unique set of barriers in their quest to be active (Rimmer, Riley, Wang, Rauworth, & Jurkowski, 2004). Through their positions and in partnership with health and human service colleagues, Therapeutic Recreation Specialists assume key roles in the delivery of interventions that encourage healthy lifestyles for individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions (Mobily, 2009). This special issue will explore the intersection between therapeutic recreation and physical activity.

The expected publication date is Fall 2012 and will therefore have a quick timeline for completion of reviews and publication. Authors should email a brief letter of intent to the editors by February 15, 2012. Submission will undergo the standard double-blind review process. All electronic submissions must be completed by May 1, 2012. Manuscripts should follow the TRJ guidelines.

Potential authors should direct questions to Guest Co-Editors:

Dr Diane Groff, TRS/CTRS
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
University of NC at Chapel Hill
CB 8700; 306 Woollen Gym
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700
Phone: (919) 962-0534
Email: groff@email.unc.edu

Dean A. Zoerink, Ph.D., CTRS
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
1 University Circle
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309)298-2698
Email: da-zoerink@wiu.edu

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). Physical activity for everyone. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html

Connolly, P. M., & Novak, J. M. (2002). Teaching collaboration: A demonstration model. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 6(6), 183-190.

Klitzing, S. W. (2002, May). The best practices for successful inclusion. Parks & Recreation, 37(5), 60. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA86505435&v=2.1&u=unc_main&it=r&p=GRGM&sw=w.

Mobily, K. (2009). Role of exercise and physical activity in therapeutic recreation services. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 39(2), p. 9-26.

National Physical Activity Plan. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/index.php

Rimmer, J. H., Riley, B., Wang, E., Rauworth, A., & Jurkowski, J. (2004). Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities. Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26(5), 419-425.

Scholl, K., Dieser, R., & Davison, A. (2005). Together we play: An ecological approach to inclusive recreation. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 39(4), p. 299-311.

Shank, J. W., Coyle, C. P., Boyd, R., & Kinney, W. B. (1996). A classification scheme for therapeutic recreation research grounded in the rehabilitative sciences. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 30(3), p. 179-196.

Editorial Guidelines for Authors
All submitted articles should follow American Psychological Association (APA, Sixth Edition) format.

February is RT Month!

2012-01-20T09:11:00.002-05:00

I was pleased to receive the following message from ATRA that proclaims February as RT Month. I've personally sought this at least since keynoting the Canadian Therapeutic Recretion Association conference 3 or 4 years ago where I realized our Canadian friends celebrated in February. Here is the ATRA message:

Gear up for the first ever RT/TR Month this February! ATRA offers three new $1 items, each of which can be ordered as an RT version or a TR version: hand sanitizer, nail files, and comfort grip pens. Winning posters from the contest last Fall are also available in dual versions. Due to their popularity at the 2011 Annual Conference, we've also brought back two more items: the fleece vest and windbreaker. These new items are available for a limited time only so order now. You can also view a complete list of promotional items available.

We're looking for every CTRS to participate! This is your month to raise awareness and support for the profession and what we accomplish.

Are RTs Ready for Prime Time?

2012-01-19T10:54:00.004-05:00

I just saw an AMA article titled "Not Ready for Prime Time," that raises the question as to if physicians are prepared for independent practice. I wonder about the same question in regard to RT professional prepartion. Any thoughts?

RTI Day at the Statehouse Cancelled

2012-01-19T10:26:00.000-05:00

From Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS,RTI president:

Greetings RTI members,

I wanted to let you know that due to the issues going on at the Indiana Statehouse this week, we have chosen to cancel the Day at the Statehouse. We think that this is in the best interest of our organization.

Thanks to those who were planning to attend. We are also canceling the board meeting that was to occur following the day at the Statehouse at this time. I'll be in touch with the board members separately to set up another meeting.

"Conference at Sea" Deposit Date January 27th

2012-01-19T10:23:00.001-05:00

From Allyson Dedic, CTRS:
After many requests, I was able to extend the "2012 Conference at Sea" deposit deadline until January 27!! I do not believe that I will be able to get another extension after this as prices have gone up for the general public (we are still locked in at the lowest rate).

Visit our website for more information www.whitehallboca.com/conference.html Please feel free to email or contact me with any questions! _____________________________________________
Allyson Dedic, CTRS
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
Whitehall Boca Raton
7300 Del Prado Circle South
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 237-3818 direct

ATRA "Replay" of Webinars

2012-01-17T19:31:00.001-05:00

From Jean Folkerth via the ATRAnet:

Did you know about the "Replay" option for the webinars?

We know that many of you are busy at the time the webinar is originally offered. So ATRA has created a flexible option for you. If you sign up for the webinar but can't take it at the time offered, for two weeks you can listen to it when it is convenient for you. This is the "replay" option.

So, don't let the time keep you from signing up, sign up and listen to it when it is good for you.

Also, remember all you need is a computer with internet access to participate in the webinars. Or if you want to simply follow the handout, you need a phone line. Which ever works for you.

Sign up now!

For more information contact the ATRA office or Jean Folkerth jfolkerth@hotmail.com

PNWATRA Annual Workshop is Friday

2012-01-17T13:48:00.001-05:00

From Erik Luvaas, MA, CTRS,Treasurer of the Pacific Northwest ATRA via the ATRAnet Listserv comes this announcement:

The Annual Workshop of the Pacific Northwest American Therapeutic Recreation Association is this Friday, January 20, 2012 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, OR. More information can be found at www.pnwatra.org

Cybercycling Gives Seniors a Brain Boost

2012-01-17T08:22:00.003-05:00

Anderson-Hanley et al in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine have reported reseach findings that show virtual reality exercise games, like Wii Fit, may help older adults fight cognitive decline. They point out that participants often said they had fun when playing the virtual reality game.

Reminder on ATRA EBP Webinar

2012-01-16T14:22:00.001-05:00

From Jean Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS, via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Just a reminder that the first in the Evidence Based Practice will be presented this Wednesday at 1:00 EST. If your New Year's resolution is to implement this where you practice, this webinar is for you!!!

Also next week we will present our first webinar in the Behavioral Health series. We are offering 2 Behavioral Health series this year. This first presentation will be from Dr. Laura Flashman. We were able to get Dr. Flashman with the recommendation of Debbie Robinson. She said "Laura Flashman, Ph.D. of Dartmouth just did a grand rounds here on Unawareness of Illness in Schizophrenia that was quite good." We are pleased to offer you this speaker and hope you will take the opportunity to gain this important information.

If you have any questions, please contact me. Hope to see you on the webinars!

Jean Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS
ATRA Academy Webinar Coordinator
jfolkerth@hotmail.com

disability.gov/health

2012-01-14T09:43:00.002-05:00

A good "jumping off" place for resources on healthy living is disability.gov/health

The site provides a gateway to all kinds of health related information. Check it out for yourself.

Don't Forget ATRA Midyear

2012-01-12T23:14:00.002-05:00

From Mike Sutherland ATRA Board Member regarding the ATRA Midyear titled "Taking Charge of Your Profession."

The 2012 Mid-Year Forum on Public Policy will be held Sunday, February 26th through Tuesday, February 28th. Reduced lodging rates have been secured at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland: $119 single/double; $139 triple; $159 quad (+ applicable state and local taxes, currently 15.5%). Call (800) 325-3535 or click to make reservations. The special rate for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association is valid through January 27, 2012.

Mike also stated that ATRA will be looking to recognize the school with the most students at the Midyear Forum. How is your school going to rate?

M.S. as Our Entry-level Degree?

2012-01-12T11:09:00.004-05:00

I've been impressed by any number of ideas expressed by members of the National Academy of Recreaional Therapists regarding the need to increase the numbers of Ph.D.s in RT. One is that we need to move toward requiring an M.S. degree as the entry-level degree to practice in our profession.

It makes sense that those with M.S. degrees might be more prone to move on to completing a Ph.D. -- and at the same time requiring the M.S. would put RT more in line with the requirements of sister professions, such as OT.

In recent addresses I've made in the U.S. and Canada, I've suggested that we should strive to make the M.S. our entry-level degree. Further I've suggested we set a date of 2025 to transition to the M.S. degree as our entry-level degree. What do you think?

ECU Faculty Opening in RT

2012-01-10T16:58:00.000-05:00

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN RECREATIONAL THERAPY

ANTICIPATED POSITION:
East Carolina University is seeking to fill a nine-month, tenure track position in the Recreational Therapy program of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RCLS) within the College of Health and Human Performance effectiveAugust 20, 2012.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ANTICIPATED POSITION:
Teach in the graduate and undergraduate Recreational Therapy (RT) degree programs and in the professional core. Contribute to the advancement and promotion of Recreational Therapy degree programs, supervise Recreational Therapy student field experiences, advise students on academic procedures and career goals, and engage in outreach with the health care community. Expectations include instruction, externally funded scholarly research; participation in research/creative activity and scholarly publication; and service to the university, community, and profession.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Doctoral degree required with at least one degree or emphasis/concentration in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. Strong professional practitioner experience and NCTRC certification as CTRS required. Applicant must obtain licensure as a Licensed Recreational Therapist in North Carolina prior to employment (www.ncbrtl.org). Demonstrated record of teaching effectiveness, research, and publication required. The ideal candidate will complement or build upon at least one program area including: gerontology, behavioral/mental health, physical rehabilitation, youth development, aquatic therapy, or psychophysiology. Candidates expected to complete a doctoral degree by December 2012 will be considered.

RANK AND SALARY:
Rank and salary commensurate with professional background and experience.

THE DEPARTMENT:
One of three departments within the College of Health and Human Performance, the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is comprised of 18 full-time faculty members including seven Licensed Recreational Therapists/Certified TR Specialists. The RCLS curriculum has approximately 230 undergraduate majors in the department; Recreational Therapy has approximately 140 majors and 75 pre-majors. The master’s program offers degrees in Recreational Therapy Administration and Recreation and Park Administration, as well as graduate certificates in Biofeedback and AquaticTherapy. The department is home to the Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Lab, the Sensory Observation Lab, and additional space for motor development work. Please visit www.ecu.edu/rcls for more information about the department.

THE UNIVERSITY:
East Carolina University, the third largest institution in the University of North Carolina System, is located in Greenville, approximately 90 miles east of the Research Triangle Park and 60 miles west of the Outer Banks and coastal resorts. A city of approximately 85,000, Greenville is within a five-hour drive of Washington, DC and it serves as the educational, cultural, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. A faculty of over 1,867 guide approximately 27,700 students enrolled in 104 Bachelor, 72 Master, 18 Doctoral, and 1 Medical Professional degree tracks. It is a Carnegie Doctoral Research Intensive university and consists of 12 colleges/professional schools, including the recognized Brody School of Medicine.

SCREENING AND APPLICATION:
The official position and full process for screening and application are anticipated to be posted mid-January 2012.

ECU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University and accommodates individuals with disabilities. Individuals requesting a disability accommodation should call the ECU Office of Disability Support Services at 252-328-6799 (Voice/TTY/Relay). Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Official transcript required upon employment.
----
Dr. Deb Jordan, Professor and Department Chair
Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies
1404 Carol Belk Building, MS 540
300 Curry Court
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
252-737-2990

ATRA Webinars Reminder on EBP

2012-01-09T19:49:00.001-05:00

From Dr. Jean Folkerth, CTRS:

Just a reminder that the first webinars for 2012 are fast approaching. These webinars will be on Evidence Based Practice. We are very lucky to have as speakers Drs. Gretchen Snethen, Ellen Broach and Norma Stumbo. If you are thinking about ensuring that all your programs are evidence based then this is the webinar series for you. Dr. Snethen will be speaking on what evidence based practice is and how to integrate it into your current practice, Dr. Broach will be speaking on the benefits of Aquatic Therapy and Dr. Stumbo will be speaking on Community Integration and its value in practice. It should be an excellent series. So, go to the ATRA website and sign up now!

Questions?
Contact: Dr. Jean Folkerth, CTRS
jfolkerth@hotmail.com

AJRT Issues Call for MSs

2012-01-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

American Journal of Recreation Therapy, an independent double-blind peer-reviewed print and online journal, welcomes original research manuscripts that contribute to the field of therapeutic and recreational therapies in the management of rehabilitation and quality of life for persons with disabilities of all ages. The journal also receives and publishes original papers regarding all uses of recreation therapy, as well as articles on the legal and regulatory issues surrounding this important field.

Manuscripts are accepted for review as original clinical or basic science research, case reports, clinical reviews, literature reviews, practical application, inservice updates and letters to the editor. Manuscript submission is handled electronically. To submit a manuscript, please follow this link to http://ajrt.allentrack2.net. For additional author guidelines and instructions please visit the
journal's webpage, www.recreationtherapy.org .

American Journal of Recreation Therapy is the journal of record in the field and features a distinguished Editorial Review Board led by Editor-In-Chief, Professor Linda Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS.

Recreation Therapists of Indiana Day at Statehouse

2012-01-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

From Julie Foster and Heather Sedletzeck, RTI Public Policy Co-Chairs

Greetings RTI Members!
I hope this finds you well and that you are all having a great start to the new year.
The 2012 legislative session in Indiana began this week. This means our annual trip to the statehouse is fast approaching. RTI will be at the IN Statehouse on January 20 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. After our meetings, we will all then go to a local downtown restaurant (details to follow) and review our meetings, develop plan of action, and also have a RTI board meeting. We would like to encourage as many to attend as possible. We will not be pushing for licensure this year, but we want to make our profession known with our legilators, so that when we do have drafted legislation, our legilators will know what they are voting for.
If you have never attended before, it is a great experience. We never send anyone to meet with their legislators alone and you will have the RTI 2012 Legislative Agenda to take with you.
If you are intersted in going, please let Julie know. You then need to contact your legilators in bothe the Indiana House and Senate. If you are not sure who they are or how to contact them. please visit the website www.in.gov. There is a link to find this information. If you need assistance, Heather or I would be more than happy to help you.
Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Call for Presentations for Research Institute at ATRA

2012-01-06T09:08:00.002-05:00

The 2012 Research Institute will be held in conjunction with:
2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – KICK UP YOUR KNOWLEDGE...IN THE WILD, WILD, WEST
at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
OCTOBER 12-15, 2012 PHOENIX, ARIZONA

CALL FOR PRESENTATION AND POSTER ABSTRACTS (due February 15, 2012)
The purpose of the ATRA Research Institute is to share research findings relevant to Recreation Therapy, increase the body of knowledge, and support professional practice. The Institute includes applied research and efficacy studies highlighting the ATRA Research Agenda are especially invited. Discussions of how practitioners can utilize results in everyday practice are highly recommended. The Institute includes both presentations and poster sessions. The latter provides researchers a chance to present their work in a setting that facilitates discussion with interested attendees. Researchers should indicate their preference of presentation styles (presentation or poster) on the cover page. Editors of the Research Institute reserve the right to make the final decision of the presentation style but will work to honor the selection of those submitting proposals.

Position Opening

2012-01-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

From the ATRAnet Listserv:

I'm conducting a search for a client in the Denver, CO area.

They seek a Director of Therapeutic Recreation Services.

Must have the following background:

-Min 3 plus years as a TR manager or director
-Experience supervising a staff of 10 or more TR Specialists
-CTRS
-Bachelors degree in TR
-Exp working with Spinal Cord and Brain Injury patients.
-MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE PROVIDING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: CAMPING, ARCHERY, HIKING, SKIING etc.
-Working in a hospital environment is a plus.

Outstanding benefits including relocation assistance. Excellent Salary.

If you're interested, please email your resume to: tony.davis@executiverecruiter.net

RT Opening from Get Recreational Therapy Jobs

2012-01-04T18:08:00.003-05:00

From Jacob Peebles at Get Recreational Therapy Jobs
http://www.getrecreationaltherapyjobs.com

I've just been contacted about an excellent Recreational Therapy
opportunity that needs to be filled IMMEDIATELY.

Here is a quick summary of the opening:

F/T Rec Therapist needed for a high volume 44-bed
sub-acute unit. Strong assessment and treatment
planning skills a must, and a preference for gardening,
art/advanced handcraft, healing arts and/or mu...

To learn more and apply, go here:

http://www.getrecreationaltherapyjobs.com/recreation-therapist-full-time-brooklyn-new-york-2800992.htm
**********

ACT NOW - this is a new position. The sooner you
apply, the better your chances are of getting the
job!

Is this job not in your area or not a good fit? Check
out other urgent positions here:

http://www.getrecreationaltherapyjobs.com/critical-need-recreational-therapy-jobs.php

IU Faculty Opening

2012-01-04T08:44:00.001-05:00

The Department Of Recreation, Park, And Tourism Studies at Indiana University has an opening for an Assistant or Associate Professor.

Description: Primary responsibilities: Engage in a focused line of scholarly inquiry related to the linkages of recreation, parks, tourism or leisure behavior to human health and well-being.

Call for Manuscripts for Annual in TR

2012-01-02T22:04:00.001-05:00

From Jennifer A. Piatt, Ph.D., CTRS, via the ATRAnet Listserv:

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is pleased to invite the submission of manuscripts for the Volume 20 of the Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, the official research journal of the association. The purpose of the Annual is to further advance the body of knowledge of the therapeutic recreation profession by creating new knowledge and understandings in practice and in education. The Annual publishes a wide range of original, peer-reviewed articles such as

* Evidence-based practice/Empirical studies
* Systematic reviews
* Application of theories or models to practice and education
* Program or service evaluations/Case studies
* Methodological reviews
* Current issues and trends in service delivery or education
* Innovations in service delivery or education
* Practice protocols

Please see the attached call for submission of manuscripts for more detail. Send all submissions electronically to Co-Editors, Dr. Jennifer Piatt at jenpiatt@indiana.edu and Dr. Marieke Van Puymbroeck at mvp@indiana.edu. Deadline for submission is February 14, 2012.

Jennifer A. Piatt, Ph.D., CTRS
Assistant Professor
Indiana University
School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies HPER Building 133
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:40:00.000-05:00

I wish all RTs the best for the New Year!!!

Danny Pettry's Rec Therapy e-Newsletter

2011-12-31T10:33:00.003-05:00

I just received a notice that Danny Pettry's January 2012 Rec Therapy e-Newsletter has been published. To view it go to:
http://ymlp.com/zdVBeU

Thanks & Use of Lessons Learned Book

2011-12-30T09:22:00.006-05:00

As you may be aware, the old Hoosier RT (aka David Austin) authored a new book in 2011 titled Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioners (Sagamore Publishing).

I would like to thank Professors Terry Long and Victoria Dawn Shelar for their positive book reviews of Lessons Learned. Terry's review appeared in 2011 in the Volume 45 (number 2) issue of TRJ. Dawn's review also appeared in 2011 in AJRT Volume 10 (number 2).

I also appreciate a number of colleagues who have also spoken highly of Lessons Learned. Among them are Charlie Dixon, Danny Pettry, Joe Wilson, and Jeff Wittman. And I'm sure I've left out others who have made positive comments on Lessons Learned. I appologize to them for not listing them here as I do sincerely appreciate all the support for my book.

Should any instructors using Lessons Learned wish me to do a telephone Q and A with their students, I would be more than glad to do so. Just contact me and we'll set up a time and date.

ATRA Webinars = Many and Varied

2011-12-29T16:19:00.002-05:00

If you haven't taken a look at the long list of webinars to be presented by ATRA, go take a look. It is an impressive listing and there are sure to be a few titles that peak your interest.

ATRA Webinars on EBP

2011-12-29T09:49:00.002-05:00

From Jean Folkerth via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Do you have your resolutions planned? Well if one of them is to learn more about Evidence Based Practice (EBP), have we got help for you! ATRA Webinars can assist you! The first in the 2012 ATRA Webinar Series is on evidence based practice!

Session A1: Evidence Based Practice: What, Why, and How
Date: January 18 Time: 1:00 – 2:00 EST
ATRA Academy Faculty: Gretchen Snethen, Ph.D., CTRS

This session is the first in a three part series on evidence based practice (EBP). EBP is a common phrase in health care and related service delivery settings. This session is designed as an introduction to EBP and will give practitioners some basic skills on integrating EBP into services. It will cover the definition of EBP, the reason EBP is critical in service delivery, how to identify EBP, and the steps to integrating EBP into practice. This session is appropriate for all levels of experience and provides a foundational knowledge of EBP, which will be helpful for the following sessions within this series.

Session A2: Health Benefits of Aquatic Therapy: Why Water Works
Date: February 1 Time: 1:00 – 2:00 EST
ATRA Academy Faculty: Ellen Broach, Ph.D., CTRS

This presentation is designed to increase the practitioners understanding of the effects of immersion on a person and how a practitioner can use this knowledge to prescribe appropriate aquatic based interventions to address treatment outcomes. For those unfamiliar with evidence-based practice, the overview session, presented by Dr. Snethen, is highly encouraged prior to this webinar.

Session A3: Community-Integration: What the Research Evidence Tells Us to Improve Our Practice
Date: February 15 Time: 1:00 – 2:00 EST
ATRA Academy Faculty: Norma J. Stumbo, Ph.D., CTRS

A very brief introduction to evidence-based practice is followed by presentation of the latest research results of community integration outcome studies. Learn about the research evidence and best practices in community integration research on a variety of populations. If you’re wondering about what client outcome skills your community integration program should focus on, this session is for you! Persons with all levels of experience, including undergraduate students, are encouraged to attend. For those unfamiliar with evidence-based practice, the overview session, presented by Dr. Snethen, is highly encouraged prior to this webinar.

To find out about what other exciting webinars are planned for 2012, go to the ATRA website! Sign up now for Evidence Based Practice!!!! http://www.atra.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=8

Tri-State RT Conference Coming Up in January

2011-12-26T19:56:00.002-05:00

A reminder from Charlie Dixon, M.S., CTRS, in his RT/TR Directory Newsletter:

Tri-State Recreation Therapy Conference - Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia
Friday, January 27, 2012
River Park Hospital
1230 – 6th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
Five (5) Clock Hours of Continuing Education – Cost is only $25

Any questions regarding conference?
Email: Danny@dannypettry.com
Call Jennifer Brumfield at: 304-526-9111 Ext. 125

Charlie Has Over 30 RT Jobs Posted

2011-12-26T19:52:00.005-05:00

Charlie Dixon, M.S.,CTRS, recently sent out his RT/TR Directory Newsletter. In it was reminder that he has around 30 RT jobs posted. For RT jobs go to:
www.recreationtherapy.com/jobs

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T14:01:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas from the RT Blog!

Conference at Sea Seeking Interest

2011-12-22T17:16:00.002-05:00

Via the ATRAnet Listserv from Allyson Dedic, CTRS:

Hello Everyone!

I know everyone is bogged down with all of the holiday festivities, but I am still feverishly working on our June 2012 Conference at Sea to Mexico, Belize, Isla Roatan, and Grand Cayman Island!! Just as a hotel makes a request for us to commit to a number of rooms, the cruise line also requests this. I would like to get an idea of how many people are interested so that we accurately block cabins. Please email me directly if you are interested in attending. The deposit is not due until March!

We still have some openings for presenters!

For more information, please visit www.whitehallboca.com/conference.html
______________________________________________
Allyson Dedic, CTRS
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
Whitehall Boca Raton
7300 Del Prado Circle South
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 237-3818 direct
(561) 392-6031 fax

TRJ Doing Vets Issue

2011-12-21T13:53:00.001-05:00

The next issue of Therapeutic Recreation Journal focuses on Veteran Issues: The Role of Therapeutic Recreation.

What a great idea!

Hugs are good -- especially for children

2011-12-20T07:10:00.000-05:00

From Disability.gov: "Hugs can do great amounts of good – especially for children." Princess Diana

Witman Comments on my book Lessons Learned

2011-12-19T21:39:00.004-05:00

I recently received a very nice message from Dr. Jeff Witman, CTRS, a long term friend and colleague from York University. He wrote about his experience in using my new book, Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recretional Therapy Students and Practitioners (Sagamore Publishing) in one of his courses.

In part, Professor Witman wrote: "Lessons Learned was a good teaching resource- understandable for students and often a discussion starter. Used it in a variety of ways including having students present various lessons and how they would apply them, generating questions based on a particular lesson, debates (agree/disagree) with some of them, relevance to policies/procedures, and relating them to other documents (Standards of Practice, code of Ethics, etc.). Thanks for creating this valuable resource!"

I really appreciated his comments and Jeff taking the time to share them with me.

Free Publications on Physical Activity from NIA

2011-12-19T13:25:00.004-05:00

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has two publications on physical activity that can be downloaded for free. They are Exercise & Physical Activity and Workout to Go.

The web address for Exercise & Physical Activity is:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ExerciseGuide_FINAL_
Aug2010_0.pdf

The web address for Workout to Go is:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/workouttogo.pdf

While these publications are of particular use by RTs working with persons who are elderly, I think they have information on physical activity and specific exercises that can be applied in many settings.

RT Opening within Corrections with 1/2/2012 Deadline

2011-12-18T21:28:00.003-05:00

The Corrections Department of the State of Wisconsin has an opening for an RT:

Recreational Therapist - Fond du Lac
Job Announcement Code(s): 11-05854
County:Fond du Lac

Classification Title: / JAC: Job Working Title:THERAPIST 11-05854
Recreational Therapist

Type of Employment:
Full Time (40 hrs/week)

Salary:
Starting salary is $42,837 or more per year based on prior relevant experience. This position is included in the Patient Care bargaining unit. A six-month probationary period is required.

Postion:
This position is located at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (Fond du Lac County). This position provides Recreational Therapy services to inmates.

Contact:
Jan Zadra - Human Resources Specialist (608) 240-5516 or Jan.Zadra@wisconsin.gov

Bargaining Unit:
Patient Care

Area of Competition:
Open

Deadline to Apply: 1/2/2012

The Department of Corrections administers Wisconsin’s state prisons, community correctional centers, and juvenile corrections programs. It supervises the custody and discipline of all prisoners in order to protect the public and seeks to rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society.

Good Time to Do Your Ph.D.

2011-12-18T12:49:00.002-05:00

Have you noticed the large number of openings for RT faculty? If you've been thinking about going back to school for your Ph.D., the time is right.

Indiana University recently announced it is actively recruiting doctoral students for the 2012 academic year. IU has several assistantships available (for 3 years).

Anyone interested can contact using the information below for Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS, who is the RT Coordinator at IU.

*******************************
Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS
Indiana University
Associate Professor
Recreational Therapy Coordinator
mvp@indiana.edu
812.855.3093 (p)
812.855.3998 (f)

Faculty Position at Douglas College

2011-12-17T20:57:00.000-05:00

From the ATRAnet Listserv:

Here is an announcement of a TR Faculty position opening at Douglas College in Vancouver. Please pass it along to interested colleagues and students. Contact Tricia Rachfall for further information [rachfallt@douglas.bc.ca]:

The Department of Therapeutic Recreation in the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies at Douglas College, is excited to invite applications for a regular probationary full time faculty member to teach in the Bachelor Degree in Therapeutic Recreation commencing in September 2012.
This unique and innovative program is located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Douglas College operates two campuses, both located in surrounding suburbs of Vancouver. The program has an average enrollment of 130 students in full time and part time studies, with all classes having less than 35 students. Six faculty members bring a range of expertise and experiences that promote diverse and enriching teaching and learning experiences to the more than 25 core and elective courses within the Therapeutic Recreation curriculum. The chosen applicant will be expected to teach 5-6 courses per year coupled with practica, internship and research opportunities.
Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:
• Possess a doctoral degree with at least one degree having a major in Therapeutic Recreation preferred. ABD candidates near completion will be considered.
• Possess the CTRS designation or be eligible and willing to attain this designation
• Have demonstrated a strong commitment to innovative approaches to teaching, research and other scholarly activity
• Have a range of teaching experiences with experience teaching in a college/university environment preferred
• Have demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively with students, practitioners, faculty and administration, working cooperatively in a team setting
• Possess the ability to teach across the curriculum; preference given to teaching expertise and experience in therapeutic recreation, leadership, interpersonal communication, aging, and health promotion.
• Have a minimum of 3 years of varied work or teaching experiences
• Have and continue to demonstrate strong ties and participation in professional organizations

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION, THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED WITH A FIRST REVIEW DATE OF FEBRUARY 20, 2012.
Please use the following link for application information:
2011-123F: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/__shared/assets/2011-123F76547.pdf

For any questions, please contact Tricia Rachfall at rachfallt@douglas.bc.ca or 604-777-6237.

Tricia Rachfall, MEd, CTRS
Co-Coordinator
Therapeutic Recreation Program
Douglas College
David Lam Campus, Coquitlam
Mailing Address: PO Box 2503
New Westminster, BC
V3L 5B2

604-777-6237 telephone
604-777-6074 fax
www.douglas.bc.ca/tr

Check us out on Facebook - Therapeutic Recreation - Douglas College

AJRT Available at Student Rate

2011-12-16T15:41:00.002-05:00

From the ATRAnet listserv:

We have had a Student Subcription Rate for the American Journal of Recreation Therapy. It is probably the best kept secret in the field.

If you follow this link http://shop.pnpco.com/category.sc?categoryId=2 pick the individual subscription and enter code AJRTST2012 your students will get the journal for $79.50per year. Scholarly journals are a great way to raise the level of student participation, education and skill. Please spread the word. Happy Holidays!

Richard A. DeVito Jr.
Publisher
Weston Medical Publishing, LLC
470 Boston Post Road, Suite 301
Weston, MA 02493 USA
radjr@pnpco.com
781-899-2702 ext. 107
781-899-4900 fax

ATRA Mid-Year in Baltimore

2011-12-16T15:34:00.002-05:00

ATRA has announced that registraion is now open for the 2012 ATRA Mid-Year Forum on Public Policy: Taking Charge of Your Profession to be held on February 26-28, 2011, in Baltimore, MD.

A copy of the program for the Mid-Year is available on the ATRA website. The program looks strong with names such as Congressman GT Thompson listed.

The Baltimore Inner Harbor is a wonderful feature for the city of Balitmore. If you haven't seen it, make sure you do during the Mid-Year.

Danny Pettry's New Book Out Today

2011-12-16T15:17:00.002-05:00

From Danny Pettry, M.S., CTRS:

Dear friend,
Imagine how inspired you could feel if you were surrounded by the world’s most motivational people. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear their messages of hope and inspiration daily?

Danny Pettry’s collection of motivational quotations can give you just that. You might find yourself in a hypnotic trance as you read each of these 101 magical, motivational, and spellbinding quotes.

Reading this collection of quotes could cause you to have a magical transformation. You just might wake up feeling ready to succeed in life. You’re intelligent enough to know that if the authors of these quotes can do it then you can do it.
As you read these quotes you may increase feelings of hope, inspiration, and encouragement. These quotations are tips and tricks for a better life.
Abracadabra and hocus-pocus – make your dreams come true with this amazing collection of motivational quotes.

Claim your copy at this link: http://www.dannypettry.com/quotes.html

Contents
•Chapter 1: Meaning of Existence
•Chapter 2: Attract Good Things
•Chapter 3: Generously Give
•Chapter 4: Imagination is Imperative
•Chapter 5: Create What You Want
•Chapter 6: Achieve Your Dreams
•Chapter 7: Learn for Life
But wait, there is more! This book includes 4 bonuses!
•Bonus # 1: Includes journal questions for each of the 7 chapters.
•Bonus # 2: Includes 11 fun activities that you can do with quotes. These are great for group activities or individual projects.
•Bonus # 3: Book Recommendations
•Bonus # 4: Access to E-Newsletter that includes book give-away each month -- (details on p. 78).
Claim your copy at this link: http://www.dannypettry.com/quotes.html
###

Thanks so much.
Your friend,
Danny

Contact info:
Danny Pettry, 1509 Walnut St. # 5, Kenova, WV 25530
Email: danny@dannypettry.com

IU Has Openings for Ph.D. Students

2011-12-14T21:20:00.002-05:00

Via ATRAnet Listserv from Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS:

Indiana University is actively recruiting doctoral students for the
2012 academic year. We have several assistantships available (for 3 years), and would appreciate your assistance in sending us quality applicants.

Anyone interested can contact me using the information below.

Cheers,
Marieke

*******************************
Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS
Indiana University
Associate Professor
Recreational Therapy Coordinator
812.855.3093 (p)
812.855.3998 (f)

ECU Faculty Position Anticipated

2011-12-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY,COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES

ANTICIPATED POSITION:
East Carolina University is anticipating a nine-month, tenure track position in the Recreational Therapy program of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RCLS) within the College of Health and Human Performance effective August 20, 2012.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ANTICIPATED POSITION:
Teach in the graduate and undergraduate Recreational Therapy (RT) degree programs and in the professional core. Contribute to the advancement and promotion of Recreational Therapy degree programs, supervise Recreational Therapy student field experiences, advise students on academic procedures and career goals, and engage in outreach with the health care community. Expectations include instruction, externally funded scholarly research; participation in research/creative activity and scholarly publication; and service to the university, community, and profession.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Doctoral degree required with at least one degree or emphasis/concentration in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. Strong professional practitioner experience and NCTRC certification as CTRS required. Applicant must obtain licensure as a Licensed Recreational Therapist in North Carolina prior to employment (www.ncbrtl.org). Demonstrated record of teaching effectiveness, research, and publication required. The ideal candidate will complement or build upon at least one program area including: gerontology, behavioral/mental health, physical rehabilitation, youth development, aquatic therapy, or psychophysiology. Candidates expected to complete a doctoral degree by December 2012 will be considered.

RANK AND SALARY:
Rank and salary commensurate with professional background and experience.

THE DEPARTMENT:
One of three departments within the College of Health and Human Performance, the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is comprised of 18 full-time faculty members including seven Licensed Recreational Therapists/Certified TR Specialists. The RCLS curriculum has approximately 230 undergraduate majors in the department; Recreational Therapy has approximately 140 majors and 75 pre-majors. The master’s program offers degrees in Recreational Therapy Administration and Recreation and Park Administration, as well as graduate certificates in Biofeedback and Aquatic Therapy. The department is home to the Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Lab, the Sensory Observation Lab, and additional space for motor development work. Please visit www.ecu.edu/rcls for more information about the department.

THE UNIVERSITY:
East Carolina University, the third largest institution in the University of North Carolina System, is located in Greenville, approximately 90 miles east of the Research Triangle Park and 60 miles west of the Outer Banks and coastal resorts. A city of approximately 85,000, Greenville is within a five-hour drive of Washington, DC and it serves as the educational, cultural, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. A faculty of over 1,867 guide approximately 27,700 students enrolled in 104 Bachelor, 72 Master, 18 Doctoral, and 1 Medical Professional degree tracks. It is a Carnegie Doctoral Research Intensive university and consists of 12 colleges/professional schools, including the recognized Brody School of Medicine.

SCREENING AND APPLICATION:
The official position and full process for screening and application are anticipated to be posted mid-January 2012.

ECU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University and accommodates individuals with disabilities. Individuals requesting a disability accommodation should call the ECU Office of Disability Support Services at 252-328-6799 (Voice/TTY/Relay). Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Official transcript required upon employment.

Video Conferencing in RT Courses

2011-12-13T12:30:00.002-05:00

Earlier today I received an email message highlighting the virtues of using video confencing in classrooms. I'm not sure how much video conferencing is being employed in RT courses but it seems to me that faculty should certainly consider using it.

Part-Time RT Position in Evansville

2011-12-13T10:35:00.001-05:00

From Jessica Decker Puntney:

Hello, I work at an in-patient mental health hospital in Evansville, IN. We have a part-time position open working with children ages 4-12. The position would be for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with one Saturday a month. If anyone is interested you can message me on facebook or you can e-mail a resume to me at Jessica.Puntney@deaconess.com

Faculty Position at Pittsburg State University

2011-12-12T19:32:00.001-05:00

From Professor Dan Fergerson via ATRAnet Listserv:

As chair of the search committee I am pleased to announce that Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas) has a tenure track position available for the fall semester beginning in August of 2012.

We are primarily looking for a person to teach in our accredited Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis who is a CTRS. Our department is called Health, Human Performance and Recreation so we have both a physical education program and a recreation program with three emphases. They are Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Administration and Corporate, Community and Hospital Wellness. We are located in southeast Kansas about 2 hours south of Kansas City and 30 minutes from Joplin, Missouri. Our student body has grown every year and is approximately 7,500 students at the present time. All of our recreation emphasis areas are also in growth mode.

Pittsburg is a community of nearly 20,000 residents and is a very accessible, family oriented town. Below is a brief description of the position with links to the full position description and the department website. If you have questions you would like to ask you can call our office as the number provided.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT TENURE TRACK RECREATION FACULTY
Responsibilities: Teaching load will consist of undergraduate and graduate courses in Recreation, primarily Therapeutic Recreation, as well as advising students, and serving on departmental committees and advisory boards.
Please go to http://www.pittstate.edu/office/hr/jobs.dot for the full position announcement. Apply online at: HHPRSearch@pittstate.edu If you have specific questions concerning this position, please contact the Department at 620-235-4665.

How Lucky We Are

2011-12-10T13:30:00.003-05:00

I attended the Indiana University RT Christmas Party earlier in the week. As I did I could not help but think how very fortunate we are to have Bryan, Marieke, and Jen on faculty at IU. All are tops for their career stages.

New Edition of Witman & Ligon Book

2011-12-07T21:25:00.001-05:00

From Tom Blaschko, President of Idyll Arbor comes this announcement:

New Leisure Education Book
Jeff Witman and Mary Ligon's revised edition of their book on leisure education: Reflection, Recognition, Reaffirmation is now available. It is a practical handbook for implementing leisure education programs with a variety of populations in many different settings. It includes many activities to help clients reinforce the key concepts of reflection on the meaning of leisure, recognition of the role of leisure in their lives, and reaffirmation of their use of leisure resources.

You can read more about it here.
http://www.idyllarbor.com/agora.cgi?p_id=B601&xm=on

We will be happy to send you a review copy if you think you might want to use the book in one of your classes.

All the best,
Tom Blaschko
President, Idyll Arbor
Tom@IdyllArbor.com

Danny Pettry's Rec Therapy Blog

2011-12-07T08:37:00.002-05:00

From Danny Pettry, M.S., CTRS, via the ATRAnet Listserv comes this reminder on the Rec Therapy Blog:

Dear Rec. Therapist,

I’m writing to inform you about my Rec. Therapy blog (in case you don’t already know about it).

I’ve been inspired by two people who’ve used the internet to promote our profession.

• my professor in graduate school Dr. David Austin (RT blog) and;
• my good friend, colleague, and mentor Charlie Dixon who operates the TR Directory online.

You can view my Rec Therpy Blog at this link: http://www.dannypettry.blogspot.com/

Here are some of the recent posts. Click on the links you're interested in reading:
• Meaning of doodles from an Art Therapist
• Activity Coordinator for a Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Center in Palm Harbor, FL.
• Creatures -- the card game... is Fun! (use of this game to help with therapy goals)
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• skills for job seekers (good tips for RTs)
• Tri-State Rec. Therapy Conference. (Kentucky, Ohio, & West Virginia)
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• NEW TR Book! Get yours today!
• MRO Billing in RT
• The Johnston Family. (highest level of fx.)
• Steve Jobs -- 7 Rules of Success!
• Rock Creation Therapy!
• Bree McMahon (inspiration)
• Rec. Therapist needed for a school setting.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Faculty Position Opening at Indiana

2011-12-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

Department: Department Of Recreation, Park, And Tourism Studies
Position: Assistant / Associate Professor

Description: Primary responsibilities: Engage in a focused line of scholarly inquiry related to the linkages of recreation, parks, tourism or leisure behavior to human health and well-being. Seek and secure extramural funding for research focused on recreation, parks, or tourism and public health. Provide high quality instruction in graduate program, departmental core classes, and majors courses as assigned. Recruitment and mentoring of graduate students. Provide service to the department, institution and profession. Engage in interdisciplinary research across the IU campuses, and in a global context. This focus on recreation, parks, or tourism and health may include, but is not limited to: The relationship of leisure behavior to health, healthy lifestyles, leisure behavior and chronic disease prevention, policy analysis, human/environment interactions, local economic development and/or impact, targeted populations, travel health, etc.

Qualifications: Doctoral degree required with at least one degree in recreation, park, or tourism studies, leisure behavior, or closely related disciplines is preferred. Evidence of a history of research funding related to the above responsibilities. A documented record of mentoring master and doctoral level students to successful completion of degrees. Demonstrated competence in designing and conducting advanced research related to recreation, parks or tourism and health. Salary: Commensurate with experience. Application deadline: Open until filled with review applications beginning January, 2012.

Application: Send letter of application, curriculum vita, and the names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone number of three references to: Dr. Bryan McCormick, c/o Deanna Davis, Professor and Chair, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, 1025 E. Seventh Street, HPER 133, Bloomington, IN 47405; telephone: 812-855-4711; fax: 812-855-3998; email: bmccormi@indiana.edu. After the Search Committee completes its initial screening, applicants will be notified of the status of their application. If appropriate, the committee will request permission to proceed to the next stage. With applicant’s permission, references will be contacted after screening.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. Indiana University is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Part-Time RT Position in Evansville, Indiana

2011-12-06T10:45:00.004-05:00

From the Recreation Therapist of Indiana comes this post:

Facility: Deaconess Cross Pointe; Evansville, Indiana
Responsibilities:Provide daily therapeutic activity groups, complete assessments and treatment plans for mental health clients in an acute care setting.Primarily working with a child population.
Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy, music therapy, or art therapy required.Certification Preferred. Experience with a child mental health patients preferred.
Additional Info:Shift: Part-time (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) – DAYS.
Approximately one Saturday per month

If interested forward a resume to
Jessica.Puntney@deaconess.com

NCTRC Exam Prep Webinar Offered by ATRA

2011-12-05T12:39:00.003-05:00

From Jean Folkerth:

Just a reminder that there is a webinar on NCTRC Exam Preparation scheduled for Wednesday December 7 at 7:00 EST. It is at a special rate of $25 per person or per college/university. This webinar will be presented by Dr. Norma Stumbo co-author of The Study Guide. Please go to the ATRA website and sign up now! You don't have to be a member of ATRA to take this webinar.

Age is...

2011-12-05T10:03:00.001-05:00

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Mark Twain

Therapeutic Recreation Position at Wisconsin-La Crosse

2011-12-04T13:40:00.001-05:00

Therapeutic Recreation Position at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is very pleased to announce the availability of a full-time, nine-month, tenure track Therapeutic Recreation position.

The person filling this position will join our progressive team at the Assistant Professor rank. Candidates should have both expertise and enthusiasm for teaching in the introductory and upper division Therapeutic Recreation undergraduate and graduate core courses. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a passion for involvement in scholarly activities such as research, grant writing, publication, and undergraduate and graduate research; and have a strong interest in professional service. Candidates must have the CTRS credential.

The Search Committee asks for your assistance in sharing the above information with individuals who may be interested in this position. A copy of the position announcement is attached. The first review of candidates will take place on January 16, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled.

Additional information about the department may be found on our website at http://www.uwlax.edu/sah/rmtr/

For more information, please contact:
Patricia Ardovino, PhD, CTRS, CPRP, Associate Professor, Director, Therapeutic Recreation Undergraduate Program, Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic RecreationUniversity of Wisconsin-La Crosse at 608-785-8217 or pardovino@uwlax.edu

On NY State Licensure

2011-12-04T12:35:00.003-05:00

Posted several places is this by MaryBeth Pozzuto, CTRS:

LICENSURE IS COMING, BUT ARE YOU READY!

There are times when we come away from a session at a conference and are struck by the message that was conveyed. I had this experience the other day at the Downstate Conference when I attended Dr. Robin Kunstler’s session on “Expanding the Professional Therapeutic Recreation Environment”. As a member of the NYS TR Licensure Committee, I listened as Robin opened the door to issues we need to focus on as we continue our pursuit of licensure in New York State.

Much of our committee’s attention thus far has been geared towards getting the word out about licensure, encouraging our fellow recreational therapy colleagues to write letters, make phone calls, and meet with local legislators.

However, there is a question I have. Have we also educated our colleagues in the field about additional ways to gear up for licensure prior to it actually happening? Somewhat, but we need to do a better job. Robin’s session did just that!

She challenged everyone in the room to think about how our programs are defined by our profession, appear to our administration, and most importantly to our patients/clients. Do we typically have recreation programs where the focus is on activities? (“Activities are used for fun, socialization, relaxation; allow for learning and practice of skills”), or is our program a therapeutic recreation program that includes “interventions directed toward achieving an outcome, whether it be functional or existential.”

She challenged both the experienced therapist and new grads in the audience to take responsibility for developing this profession. Those with experience, become a mentor, be visible, educate and empower others. As a recreation therapist take initiative, take pride in your work, start a “pilot program” that focuses on the therapeutic value of recreation, and develop your skills in communication and documentation.

As we pursue licensure, these are some of the issues that will directly have an impact on our profession.Robin contacted the four other states that currently hold licensure and asked the question:
“What has been the effect of TR Licensure in your state?”

Utah: There are better qualified people and better educated therapists now who see there is a responsibility to follow the standards of practice and have such things as written plans of action, stronger requirements for interns and minimal standards for new hires.
New Hampshire: Having licensure has affirmed the value of having qualified professionals providing services in the state of NH. Genesis Healthcare, has been actively hiring CTRSs in our long tem care facilities especially to work with short stay patients and to provide treatment interventions for our long term residents who have dementia. We have had a few cases where the RT Governing Board has issued sanctions to practitioners and we also sanctioned an agency that indicated that they were providing RT but had no CTRSs on staff. The key element is not so much an affirmation of RT as it is a recognition that people can in fact be harmed when they do not receive services from a qualified professional
Oklahoma: The primary purpose for licensure is to protect the public. However there are obviously other benefits that can be difficult to measure. Recognition of our profession by other licensed health care professionals is certainly a big one. I believe that TR’s in Oklahoma are very proud of their license and we had the highest involvement in our state conference from practicing TR’s immediately after we achieved licensure. I believe we have to stick to increased professionalism and protecting the public when we speak about the importance of State Licensure.
North Carolina: When you do licensure, you raise the bar and all need to attend to their practice and the maintenance of their credentials. Respect is earned by performance not the credential. I think in general, folks are proud to be LRT. Agencies are realizing that RT is not activities. LRT’s have to deliver RT vs recreation. It has better defined the profession and services delivered.

If you’ve come across the NYS TR Licensure Committee information tables at conferences, you certainly have seen the brochures that state: The Time is Now! The time is now to support licensure, make necessary programmatic changes, and begin to change your scope of practice. Start to communicate with your colleagues &/or administrators, bring RT to a higher level. Licensure will happen…will you be ready?

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

2011-12-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

December 3rd we are celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities

2011-12-03T09:20:00.002-05:00

In today's Disability.gov a link for the publication Guidelines for Reporting & Writing about People with Disabilities is provided.

The link is: http://t.co/YxMKuJRv

New Conference at Sea Announced

2011-12-02T12:05:00.001-05:00

From Allyson Dedic, CTRS, via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Join us next June 16-23rd to visit Cozumel, Mexico; Belize; Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, and Grand Cayman Island! Earn between 22-24 hours of CEU’s in ONE WEEK!! Conferences at Sea offer many amenities at no additional charge and actually provide a financial savings! When traveling in ‘peak season’, costs will be higher but it offers an opportunity for more therapists to attend. Guests may also attend at the group rate!

“Land Conference”
Hotel for 7 days: $1085 (including taxes)
Food for 7 days: $350
Entertainment: $150
Conference Cost: $275
TOTAL: $1860

“Conference at Sea”
Hotel for 7 days: $895 (including taxes & port charges)
Food for 7 days: INCLUDED
Entertainment: INCLUDED
Conference Cost: $150
TOTAL: $1045

44% SAVINGS!

Visit www.whitehallboca.com/conference.html for more information and to download speaker proposals, cruise details, and registration forms! Please help us by passing this information onto colleagues and co-workers!

_______________________________________________
Allyson Dedic, CTRS
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
Whitehall Boca Raton
7300 Del Prado Circle South
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 237-3818 direct

Structured Group Activity Slows Dementia Progress

2011-12-02T08:08:00.001-05:00

Highly structured group activity, including both motor and cognitive stimulation, has been shown to slow the progress of degenerative dementia, according to a study which appeared online in BMC Medicine. The research was conducted in 5 nursing homes where structured group activities were conducted for 2 hours a day, six days per week. A total of 10 residents at each home took part in the group activities conducted by two RNs.

I gained this information from MedPage Today. The source reference is: Graessel, E., et al (2011). Non-pharmacological, multicomponent group therapy in patients with degenerative dementia: A 12-month Randomized, Controlled Trail. BMC Med.

This study sure seems to supply empirical evidence of the value of recreational therapy group activities for persons with dementia.

World AIDS Day is today.

2011-12-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st.

Position Opening in Charleston, SC

2011-12-01T10:18:00.002-05:00

From Kathryn Walker posted today on the North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association page:

HIRING:
Activity Director Position, CTRS Preferred but not required
132 bed long term care facility located in CHARLESTON, South Carolina
Star 5 long term care facility. Would be in charge of creating programs, leading group activities, etc... Great salary, awesome benefits, and a very good spendable budget for the facility. You would be working along side me, the CTRS Recreation Therapist for the Rehab facility.

WE are looking for someone with experience in Care Facilities and someone who is very energetic and can get along and work well with others.

Please email me for more details kwalker@whiteoakmanor.com

(note: Charleston is a wonderful city. One of my favorite places in the USA.)

NCTRC Exam Preparation Webinar

2011-11-30T10:12:00.002-05:00

From Jean E. Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS, via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Greetings hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! For people who are preparing to take the NCTRC certification exam in January we have something else you can be thankful for....ATRA is pleased to provide you with a webinar on Preparing to Take the NCTRC Exam. It will be presented on Wednesday December 7 at 7:00 p.m. EST by Dr. Norma Stumbo.

Here is a description:
This session will address the specifics of the NCTRC exam and how best to prepare for taking it. It will cover details such as the number and kinds of items included, the computerized format and experience, and how best to prepare to increase your chances for success. Strategies and resources will be covered. The session will be repeated three times (December 7, 2011; April 11, 2012; September 12, 2011). This session will not cover information about the sitting requirements and other standards of NCTRC (See Certification 101 webinar for those details).

It will be offered at the low rate of $25 per person or college/university just like last year's Certification 101 which will be offered again in February. Please go to the ATRA website to sign up. If the time is not convenient for you, you can get it on replay for the 2 weeks following the original presentation. However, you must be signed up for the webinar!

Hope to see you on the webinar!

ATRA Midyear in Baltimore in February

2011-11-29T19:14:00.001-05:00

From Lisa Morgan via the ATRAnet Listserv:

Calling On All Recreational Therapists...

For An Opportunity To Take Charge of Your Profession

February 26-28, 2012

Please save these dates!

We need as many CTRS' to participate in this year's ATRA 2012 Midyear Conference in Baltimore, MD.

Be a part of making a difference for our future!!! More details coming soon...

Thanks to Professor Frank Basile

2011-11-29T14:42:00.002-05:00

Professor Frank Basile, Ph.D., CTRS, assumed the leadership for the newly created National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) when he was voted NART President earlier this year. In Septmeber, Frank conducted the initial NART meeting at LaRue Carter Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.

It is great to have an academy for recreational therapy and Frank is to be congratulated and thanked for his leadership role within NART.

Music Therapy Gains Recognition

2011-11-29T09:40:00.002-05:00

I was pleased to see an USA Today article (page 12B)this morning titled "Music Can Heal Mind, Body, Soul." The article explained how music therapy is used in the treatment of a variety of physical problems. The article contained information about the use of music therapy in the recovery of Congresswoman Giffords.

An accompanying piece listed ways music can help rewire the brain after a traumatic injury. These included: trigger memories; promote learning; elicit emotions; provide motivation; improve coordination; adn reduce stress and pain.

As I read the list of therapeutic benefits, I could not help but think that RT can provide the same benefits. Go MT and RT!

World AIDS Day is Thursday

2011-11-29T06:39:00.002-05:00

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st. The event has been held annually since 1998. It is a day for people across the world to unite against AIDS, be supportive of those with AIDS, and commemorate those who have died from AIDS.

New York Examining RT Licensure

2011-11-28T23:21:00.002-05:00

Robin Waxler, of New York State, directed me to the following:

As many of you know, licensure for Recreation Therapy has been granted in three states: Utah, North Carolina and New Hampshire. Other states are presently exploring the viability of licensure in their respective states. Professions such as social work and the creative arts therapies have been granted licensure in recent years. The legal regulation of Recreation Therapy protects the consumer as well as the future of our profession. Keeping these reasons in mind, a committee has been formed to examine licensure in New York State. Members of the committee are Lynn Anderson, Eileen Andreassie, Ray Archer, Vincent Bonadies, Linda Dianto, Mimi Fierle, Kristin Impicciatore, Anthony Martino, Mary Beth Pozzuto, Rose Rothe, Loretta Sinnott, Isabel Tiffen, Daryl Willenbrink, Felicia T. Zeigler.

Lessons Learned Review by an MD

2011-11-27T16:52:00.003-05:00

Joav Merrick, MD, reviewed An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioners published by Sagamore Publishing. Here is the review as it appeared on Amazon.com

David R Austin is professor emeritus from Indiana University with many years of experience as a practitioner and academic and in this book inspired by Irvin Yalom (The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients) he is giving his core beliefs on recreational therapy.

In 69 short lessons (chapters) he is able to make an all round picture of recreational therapy for both people starting their work in this field and also for practitioners already working in the field. It is a short and readable introduction to recreational therapy where you feel the "fire and enthusiasm" from a professional with many years of experience.

Professor Joav Merrick, MD, MMedSci, DMSc
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Office of the Medical Director, Health Services, Division for Mental Retardation, Ministry of Social Affairs, Jerusalem and Kentucky Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Are We Demanding Enough of RT Students?

2011-11-27T11:57:00.003-05:00

I sent the message below out on ATRAnet last night. It has already drawn 3 lenghly responses -- so I thought I'd share it on the RT Blog. Here it is:

Hi RT Colleague,

Are we challenging RT students today? Arum and Roksa (2011) wrote in their book, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses:

“In a typical semester…32% of the students did not take a single course with more than 40 pages of reading per week, and 50% did not take any course requiring more than 20 pages of writing over the semester. The average student spent only 12 to 13 hours per week studying – about half the time a full-time college student in 1960 spent studying…” (p. 70).

They also stated: “…37 percent of students reported spending less than five hours per week preparing for their courses” (p. 69). (That is 5 hours per week for all their courses!)

Reading this makes me wonder just how much RT professors are demanding of their students. If you are a professor and are assigning less than 40 pages per week in your course, and not assigning regular writing assignments, I hope you will reevaluate what you are expecting of your students.

Think about it. As a professor, do you not owe it to your students and to the profession to hold high expectations for your students?

A Big Retail Therapy Day

2011-11-25T16:13:00.001-05:00

Lots of retail therapy on Black Friday!
(It is called "Black Friday" because retailers move out of the red into the black.)

Happy Thanksgiving to all RTs!

2011-11-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

Lessons Learned Review Reposted

2011-11-23T20:27:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it, here is an earlier post on Lessons Learned:

Weeks ago I promised to share information from the positive reviews of my new book titled Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioners. One review appeared in the American Journal of Recreation Therapy. The other was written by Dr. Terry Long and appeared in Therapeutic Recreation Journal (TRJ).

The quote below is from Terry Long’s review of Lessons Learned that was in TRJ:

“Current practitioners (including educators) can benefit from reviewing this text as it is a quick reminder of many important elements of recreational therapy. The book is certainly useful as a tool for facilitating clinical supervision, professional issues discussions, and a review of the presented lessons definitely suggests possible topics for future continuing education opportunities. Finally, there are personal applications of the lessons as well. For example, lessons regarding values, self-awareness, burnout, and active listening skills, and aggression can have both personal and professional relevance to readers.”

Lessons Learned was published by Sagamore Publishing in 2011 and may be obtained by going to the Sagamore Publishing website. Lessons Learned is also available as an e-book from Amazon.com

University Department Head Position

2011-11-22T20:32:00.000-05:00

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY KINESIOLOGY, RECREATION, AND SPORT
DEPARTMENT HEAD

Western Kentucky University, Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport (KRS), is seeking applicants for the position of Department Head. The Department Head of the KRS is a twelve-month, tenured administrative/teaching position. The department head provides leadership for a diverse department of 20 full-time faculty. The Department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in exercise science, physical education, recreation administration, and sport management. KRS is one of seven academic units in the College of Health and Human Services. CHHS is the largest college at Western Kentucky University with atotal enrollment of 4,646 students.

Required qualifications: To be considered the candidate must hold an earned doctorate in a discipline in Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Administration, or a related area, and meet requirements for the rank of Associate or Full Professor. Undergraduate and graduate teaching experience is also required in a KRS discipline.

Strong leadership/management skills and previous administrative experience will enhance the candidate’s application, as well as the ability to work with a diverse population.

Responsibilities include: providing leadership for achieving departmental, college, and university goals, managing budget and human resources, developing departmental staffing plans, evaluating faculty and staff performance, interacting with internal and external constituents, teaching, conducting research and scholarly activities, providing university/community service, serving on the CHHS administrative team, recruitment activities, and development activities as appropriate. The ideal candidate should also be open to promoting alternative modes of instructional delivery that may include web-based courses, ITV, and offering courses at off-campus sites.

Salary is competitive andcommensurable with experience. Nominations and expressions of interest, which will include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names of five professional references with e- mail and telephone numbers included, should be sent electronically to the attention of KRS search at the following email address: chhs-searchcomm@wku.edu

Applications and letters of application will be reviewed starting January 15, 2012 and will remain open until filled.

WKU and Bowling Green, KY: Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a well-respected, comprehensive university committed to the promotion of stewardship and student engagement. Current enrollment is approximately 20,100 undergraduate and graduate students. WKU is located in Bowling Green, KY with a population of68,000 and is conveniently located 50 miles north of Nashville, TN, and approximately 100 miles South of Louisville, KY.

Offers ofemployment are contingent upon educational credential verification and satisfactory criminal background check.

Western Kentucky University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or marital status in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices in accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify The Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services at (270) 745- 5121, a minimum of five working days in advance.

Faculty Opening at York College

2011-11-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

Assistant/Associate Professor @ York College of Pennsylvania

The Department of Behavioral Sciences at York College of Pennsylvania invites applications for a full time tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor to start in August 2012.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching core recreation courses such as an introduction to recreation and leisure and leadership and group dynamics in recreation as well as other courses in his/her specialty area. The course load may include classes from the Therapeutic Recreation and/or the Community Recreation emphasis areas. The candidate will also be responsible for the development and supervision of additional experiential learning and community service opportunities. Additional responsibilities include development of new courses, advising students, engaging in scholarly activity, and providing service to the department, the college, and the York community. An anticipated development of a new department of Hospitality, Recreation and Sport Management may create new teaching opportunities, so related expertise would also be welcome.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in recreation and leisure, therapeutic recreation, community recreation, commercial recreation, outdoor recreation, or other related field is preferred (ABDs may apply with evidence of degree award by August 2012). A record of excellence in teaching and advising, scholarly promise, and a strong commitment to service is expected.

The Recreation and Leisure Administration program is accredited by COAPRT and currently has over 100 majors. York College of Pennsylvania http://www.ycp.edu is a private-sector, independent institution of higher education offering over 50 baccalaureate majors in the arts and sciences and in professional fields as well as master’s programs in business, education, and nursing and a doctoral program in nursing. The College has an enrollment of 4700 full time and 700 part time undergraduate students and 325 graduate students from some 30 states and 15 foreign countries. The campus is located in South-Central Pennsylvania (50 miles north of Baltimore, MD, 30 miles south of Harrisburg, and 90 miles north of Washington D.C.) and offers competitive salaries and fringe benefits.

Interested candidates should electronically submit the following: a letter of application, a statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, curriculum vita, graduate transcripts, teaching evaluations, three letters of recommendation, and contact information for three references to employment@ycp.edu. Applications must be received no later than November 18, 2011.

York College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a copy of York College’s Annual Security Report, you may contact the Office of Campus Safety or the Web at http://www.ycp.edu/offices-and-services/campus-safety/department-publications/annual-security-report/#d.en.4278

Assistant Professor at Brockport State

2011-11-22T20:22:00.002-05:00

Assistant Professor @ State University of New York

My colleagues and I in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at The College at Brockport (State University of New York) are excited to announce our search for a tenure-track Assistant Professor. Candidates must have the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential or the ability to acquire certification within six months of hire. Other required and preferred qualifications, as well as a description of duties, are specified in the attached vacancy announcement.

To apply for the position, visit http://www.brockportrecruit.org

Best consideration date: November 1, 2011.

Dr. Holly Bosley Perry
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Studies
The College at Brockport
350 New Campus Drive
Brockport, NY 14420
Phone: (585) 395-5478

Clinical Faculty Position Opening at FIU

2011-11-22T20:10:00.002-05:00

Via the ATRAnet listserv comes this announcement from Dr. Alexis McKenney, CTRS:

The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies, College of Education at Florida International University (FIU) invites applications for a nine-month full-time, non-tenure-track clinical assistant professor faculty position in Recreational Therapy beginning August 2012.

Responsibilities: Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and advising in the Recreational Therapy program; assisting with the coordination of the internship program, planning and supervising field experience placements; serving on departmental, college, and university committees, conducting scholarly presentations at professional conferences; assisting with RT program accreditation tasks.

For information, requirements, and to apply on-line, visit our website at http://www.fiujobs.org and reference Pos. 34949.
Please submit (attach) a letter of application that clearly establishes position qualifications, vitae, names and contact information for three professional references, three examples of recent publications, and a copy of graduate transcript(s).

Desired Qualifications Terminal degree with educational preparation and a minimum of three years of teaching in an institute of higher learning and/or equivalent professional experience in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation is required. CTRS credential is required.

Review of completed applications will commence immediately. Position will remain open until filled.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and is an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer. Minimum Qualifications Desired Qualifications Terminal degree with educational preparation and a minimum of three years of teaching in an institute of higher learning and/or equivalent professional experience in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation is required. CTRS credential is required.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Contact information can be found below.

Dr. Alexis McKenney, CTRS
Florida International University
Interim Department Chair
Leadership and Professional Studies
Associate Professor
Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator Florida International University Modesto A. Maidique Campus, ZEB 313A Miami, FL 33199 http://www.fiu.edu/~rt http://www.IAmARecreationalTherapist.com
mckenney@fiu.edu
Phone: (305) 348-3905