NEWS RELEASE
November 25, 2002

Contact: Laurie Jake, ATRA Communications Coordinator
Phone (480) 460-1525 or
Ann D Huston, ATRA Executive Director
Phone: (703) 683-9420

Foundation Approves Two Grant Proposals for Funding

(Alexandria, VA) The American Therapeutic Recreation Foundation (ATRF) recently announced the approval of funds for two research grants. The first proposal, "Air mat therapy for the treatment of agitated wandering and aggression" by Marcia Shalek, CTRS focuses on the ever-increasing need to improve services to the geriatric population. As quality of life issues become increasingly more recognized by the healthcare community, healthcare professionals are challenged in finding creative ways to address these issues.

The second proposal, "The Effectiveness of a Recreational Modality (Tai Chi Chuan) in Enhancing Health Status and Reducing Health Care Costs in an Elderly Population." By Andrew Paterna, capitalizes on the increasing interest in many alternative therapy interventions in healthcare today.

Past grants have studied a variety of areas including the effectiveness of aquatic therapy and using recreational therapy interventions for preventing falls.

The American Therapeutic Recreation Foundation is a non-profit foundation established in 1992 by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). The founding principles of the American Therapeutic Recreation Foundation are to develop and promote opportunities for education and research. Priority consideration is given to efficacy research projects related to topics that provide evidence as to the effectiveness of recreation therapy interventions, and that examine outcomes and cost effectiveness of recreation therapy protocols.

Gifts to the American Therapeutic Recreation Foundation support the advancement of the recreational therapy profession. For more information, please contact Laurie Jake, CTRS, ATRA Communications Coordinator at (480) 460-1525 or the ATRA National Office at (703) 683-9420