Therapeutic recreation professional practices recognized - National Therapeutic Recreation Association - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, May, 2003

We know the value of a high-quality therapeutic recreation program, but not everyone does. That's why the National Therapeutic Recreation Society has teamed up with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification to develop a state recognition project that will provide leadership, advocacy resources and technical assistance to enable state recognition of therapeutic recreation professionals as qualified and competent service providers across all practice settings.

These efforts began in July 2001 when the three organizations came together in Charleston, S.C., to begin collaborative efforts on behalf of recreational therapists and the therapeutic recreation profession. Each organization was represented by its executive director, president or chair, and three appointed individuals who have considerable knowledge and experience in state recognition efforts. NRPA was represented by then-NTRS President John McGovern, Candy Ashton Shaeffer, Anne Simonsen, Marcia Carter and Rikki Epstein, former NTRS staff liaison.

From this meeting, a guidebook was developed to help professionals develop a credentialing or recognition plan in their states. For more information, contact Susan Potts at spotts@nrpa.org or 703-858-2151.