Sessions Include:
Creative Arts in Rehabilitation
Waldyvan Estrada, CTRS, Recreation Therapist, VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Steven Franco-Santiago, Music Therapist, VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Valeria Gomez-Guzman, Dance and Movement Therapist, VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Raquel González-Hodge, CTRS, Supervisory Therapist, RT Department VACHS, VA Caribbean Healthcare System
This presentation will highlight the importance and impact creative arts have in the rehabilitation journey of patients with multiple diagnoses. It will feature actual programming initiatives implemented with Veterans and will provide guidance as to how to enhance your current programs.
VICTOR(Y) for Veterans: Creating Competitive Opportunities through Sport
Randall Flagler, TRI Therapist, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Veterans’ therapeutic recreation programming is an opportunity for all park & recreation organizations. Learn how an ambitious park program has flourished into a leader in training competitive veteran adaptive athletes.
The Teeter-totter of Therapeutic Recreation
Elena Christopher, CTRS, CPRP, Program Specialist, Camacho Activity Center- City of Austin
Brett Gordon, CPRP, Accessibility Specialist, The WT Group
Laurel Heizelman, LRT/CTRS, CPRP, Accessibility Specialist, The WT Group
Are you dodging burn out? Familiar with the ups and downs of TR? Join us for a panel discussion to explore past, current, and future trends in TR. We’ll talk about the adaptability of the TR profession, the opportunities afforded to us, and the challenges we have faced on our current TR teeter-totter!
Market your TR Program as a RT!
Alyssa Elsner, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor I, St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation
Meagan Young, CTRS, Health Program Supervisor, St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation
Use the skills you have right in your RT toolbox to help develop a comprehensive marketing plan for your Therapeutic Recreation program and better market yourself as an RT! In this session you will learn how to develop a comprehensive program plan to better market your TR program, develop a Therapeutic Recreation Goal Guide, and learn more about SEO and digital marketing along the way!
The Outdoor TR Toolkit
Elena Christopher, CTRS, CPRP, Program Specialist, Camacho Activity Center- City of Austin
What are the must-haves for an outdoor TR’s toolkit? After defining “outdoor recreational therapist,” prepare for a journey into the nature programming great outdoors! Whether it’s adaptive equipment for biking or visual aids for participants with autism on a nature hike, each pack should be loaded with “tools” for growth and exploration.
To Inclusion & Beyond
Brett Gordon, CPRP, Accessibility Specialist, The WT Group
Laurel Heizelman, LRT/CTRS, CPRP, Accessibility Specialist, The WT Group
Let’s go “To Inclusion & Beyond” to gain a comprehensive understanding of promoting disability inclusion in community recreation. Increase your understanding of the principles of inclusion, explore successful inclusion initiatives, and discover valuable resources to create and maintain inclusive environments. Don’t miss this transformative session!
Breaking Disability Stigmas in Recreation Programs
Thera Johnson, Recreation Therapist, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
Alex De La Campa, Recreation and Inclusion Specialist, Miami-Dade Co Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces
Disability stigmas are negative thoughts and actions that create barriers for inclusive recreation for all. This session will help attendees understand how our thoughts, actions and understanding of disability affect our interactions with people of varying disabilities. Learning how to develop positive interactions others’ emotional intelligence will also yield improved social cohesiveness and satisfaction among employees or clients served.
Step Up Your Game!
Mary Palacios, CTRS, CPRP
Use by-gone or newer table games for therapy with all ages. Learning occurs when you take a board game and use the pieces for teaching eye hand coordination, color coding, reminiscing, memory, and more. Create a new game or play by the rules. Be sure to step up your game.
Calming Spaces for Recreation Programs
Carolina Mugar, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Manager, Miami-Dade Co Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces
Gisel Prado, Recreation Therapist, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
A dedicated calming space is a supportive environment for participants to decompress and increase their emotional regulation skills. Recreation professionals can implement a calming space to provide participants with a meaningful break from program activities in a variety of settings.
Empowering Inclusive Recreation: PARD’s Therapeutic and Inclusion Process
Sara Carlson, CTRS, CPRP, Therapeutic Recreation Program Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation Department – Therapeutic Recreation Services
Rachel Hyde, MSRLS, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Program Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation Department – Therapeutic Recreation Services
The City of Austin’s Inclusion Support Services plays a pivotal role in supporting PARD programs. Utilizing the ADA as their foundation, this session will outline the Inclusion process from participant contact to the providing of ongoing support. Highlights include tangible examples of data tracking, therapeutic assessment, modification plans, and program enhancements.
ADHD: Trends and Impacts on PARD Programs
Rachel Hyde, MSRLS, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Program Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation Department – Therapeutic Recreation Services
This session explores the current trends in ADHD within Parks and Recreation. As research brings increasing awareness of neurodiversity, it’s vital for professionals in the field to adapt and create inclusive environments. This session delves into the latest research, best practices, and strategies aimed at enhancing experiences for individuals with ADHD.