ATRA Awards

The ATRA Awards Program is comprised of 10 awards, provided each year at the ATRA Annual Conference and Membership Meeting each fall.

Award Categories:

I. Distinguished Fellow Award
II. Outstanding Professional Award
III. Member of the Year Award
IV. Individual Citation
V. Organization or Institution Citation
VI. Certificate of Recognition
VII. Frank N. Brasile Clinician of the Year Award
VIII. Excellence in Education Award
IX. Scholarly Achievement Award
X. Chapter Affiliate of the Year Award

I. Distinguished Fellow Award

This is the highest recognition award given by ATRA. The award recognizes exceptional accomplishments within the field of TR. It will not be given each year unless all designated criteria are met.

Qualifications:
A. Current member of ATRA

B. Experience - a minimum of ten (10) years related to TR

C. Service (At least two of the following):
1. Distinctive leadership in promotion, organization, and development of a new or unique/innovative type of activity or program in TR
2. Meritorious service to the profession through the allied fields of the arts, physical education, athletics, health education, science, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation, and/or education
3. Exemplary contributions to the TR profession on national, regional, state, and/or local levels

D. Evidence of leadership (At least one of the following):
1. An elected officer in a TR association (president, president-elect, board of directors)
2. A member of any TR association committee

E. Professional research, publications and presentations.
At least two of the following:
1. Addresses or appearances to groups in person, on radio, or television pertaining to the broad field of TR
2. Published articles in newspaper(s) or magazine(s) or journal(s) on topics pertaining to TR
3. Research which has helped advance the TR profession
4. Author/co-author or editor of a book on TR or related fields
5. Contribution to the profession, which has affected philosophy or practice

II. Outstanding Professional Award

This award may be made annually to one member of ATRA. It is the second most prestigious award of ATRA.

Qualifications:
A. Current member of ATRA
And at least two of the following:

B. Experience: a minimum of five (5) years related to TR Service.

C. Distinctive leadership in promotion, organization, and development of new or
unique/innovative type of activity or program in TR

D. Service to the profession on national, regional, state, and/or local levels

E. Evidence of leadership
1. An elected officer in a TR association
2. A member of any TR association committee

F. Professional research, publications, and presentations
(At least one of the following):
1. Addresses or appearances to groups in person, on radio, or television pertaining to the broad field of TR
2. Published articles in newspaper(s), magazine(s) or journal(s) on topics pertaining to TR
3. Research which has helped advance the TR profession
4. Author/co-author or editor of a book on TR or related fields
5. Contribution to the profession, which has affected philosophy or practice

III. Member of the Year Award

This award may be made annually to one member of ATRA for outstanding contributions to the organization.

Qualifications:

A. Current professional member of ATRA

B. Has made significant contribution to ATRA during the preceding year
(At least two of the following):
1. Preparing/sponsoring legislation
2. Supporting and promoting ATRA
3. Professional research, writing, and/or presentation
a) Personal appearance on radio or TV for TR
b) Published articles in newspaper(s),magazine(s) or journal(s) about TR
c) Research to advance the profession
d) Author or co-author or editor of a book
e) Contribution which has affected philosophy or practice
4. Exceptional active committee work
5. Supporting advancement and promotion of TR

IV. Individual Citation

This citation may be made annually to one non-member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. A person is eligible to receive the citation one time only.

Qualifications:
(Must meet two of the following):

A. Preparing, sponsoring legislation beneficial to the TR profession

B. Supporting and promoting TR

C. Serving as a volunteer in TR (funds or program)

D. Professional research, writing, or presentations
1. Personal appearance on radio or TV for TR
2. Articles in newspaper(s), magazine(s) or journal(s) about TR
3. Research to advance the profession
4. Author or co-author of a book
5. Contribution, which has affected philosophy or practice

V. Organization or Institution Citation

Organization: An organization is defined as any group who advocates, promotes, and/or supports the delivery of services to persons with disabilities. This includes any public, private, or voluntary group organized under a charter, permit, certificate or incorporation.

Institution: Agencies, which are primarily residential in nature but which also provide day or outreach services. The institution's purpose is to provide health, treatment, rehabilitation or other human services, including recreation to persons with disabilities. Only one award will be given each year. This award is not based on the quality of an agency's TR department, staff, or services, but rather on external TR services noted under qualifications.

Qualifications:
A. Promoting Therapeutic Recreation on any level

B. Developing new techniques in TR

C. Sponsoring or supporting TR workshops and seminars

D. Supporting TR professionals through research, holding office,conducting
workshops/seminars

E. Voluntary assistance in TR programs

F. Preparing and sponsoring legislation of importance to TR

G. Promoting TR to those typically underserved, regardless of race, religion or sexual preferences

VI. Certificate of Recognition

Awarded for meritorious service that promotes, develops, or implements innovations, expansions, or improvements to TR programs, services, and education. This is for such service not provided under "Member of the Year" or "Distinguished Service" awards.

Qualifications:
A. Current member of ATRA

B. Meritorious service as noted:
1. Author or co-author of textbook or publication which provides the field of TR with new knowledge that may include innovative programming concepts, assessment and evaluation techniques, quality assurance profiles, or significant research findings
2. Author/developer of a film, videotape, or other audio/ visual material
3. Outstanding service in completing an involved committee assignment
4. Radio or television appearances before other professionals or lay groups which help to promote the field of TR and/or the provision of recreation services for individuals with disability
5. Author of articles in newspaper(s) or magazine(s), which help to promote the field of TR and/or the provision of recreation services for persons with disability
6. Developing and putting into operation an innovative program of study in a college or university
7. Creating, designing, or manufacturing equipment/apparatus to improve recreation experiences for individuals with and/or without disabilities

VII. Frank N. Brasile Clinician of the Year Award

This award will recognize the recipient's outstanding contribution to Therapeutic Recreation through creative and innovative programming in a clinical setting, promotion of the profession, and service to developing professionals.

Qualifications:
At least two of the following:
A. Evidence of creative & innovative programming in a clinical setting
1. Case study example of positive outcome with client
2. Creative and/or unique clinical program developed to meet a specific population need
3. Outstanding program development and implementation

B. Minimum of 3 years full-time employment related to TR

C. Evidence of promotion of the profession
1. Presentations at TR related conferences
2. Service on a Therapeutic Recreation Board or Committee
3. Serve as an information source on Therapeutic Recreation (i.e., author of written materials)

D. Service to upcoming professionals
1. Supervision of student Interns
2. Provides "Experience Days" to students allowing them to gain observational or practical experience

VIII. Excellence in Education Award

Awarded to a clinical agency or institution of higher education that has distinguished itself through outstanding contribution(s) to the TR profession.

Qualifications:
Meets at least two of the following:
A. Has developed a program promoting TR as a profession and field of study to potential students

B. Has made unique and significant contribution(s) to the body of knowledge of TR

C. Has developed exceptional instruction material(s) for TR education

D. Has developed outstanding curriculum material(s) for professional preparation in TR

E. Encourages student participation in local, state and national professional organizations

F. Provides opportunities for students to meet with TR professionals by sponsoring continuing education opportunities, guest lecturers, intern expos, and/or similar functions

G. Provides opportunities for students to gain professional experiences

IX. Scholarly Achievement Award

Awarded annually to one member of ATRA who has contributed significantly to the field of knowledge of Therapeutic Recreation.

Qualifications: At least three of the following:
A. Current member of ATRA

B. Significant contributions to the knowledge and/or understanding of Therapeutic Recreation; Be specific

C. Published in TR journals and/or books that are widely used or quoted in the field of
Therapeutic Recreation

D. Significant record of scholarly presentations at international, national, state and/or regional meetings

E. Service on the editorial board and/or as reviewer of scholarly submissions to TR journals

F. Service of scholarly/creative works in a specialized area of Therapeutic Recreation

X. Chapter Affiliate of the Year Award

This award may be made annually to an outstanding chapter affiliate of ATRA.

Qualifications:
A. Current Chapter Affiliate of ATRA

B. Has made significant contributions to the profession during the preceding year in at least two of the following:
1. Supporting the advancement and promotion of TR on the local, state and/or regional level
2. Sponsoring and/or conducting continuing education workshops in local/geographical area
3. Supporting legislative action which is beneficial to the TR profession
4. Contribution, which has affected the philosophy or practice of TR
5. Supporting and promoting ATRA
6. Author/developer of a film, videotape, or other audio/visual material
7. Addresses or appearances to groups, in person, on radio, or television pertaining to the broad field of TR
8. Developing and putting into operation an innovative program or educational venue that positively impacts the profession