This is the ARCHIVE SITE - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTAbout ATRA
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NEWS RELEASE
Jan 2, 2003
Contact: Laurie Jake, ATRA
Communications Coordinator
Phone (480) 460-1525 or
Dawn DeVries, ATRA Conferences Coordinator
Phone: (703) 683-9420
Recreational Therapists are ‘Capitalizing’ on Strengths
The 2003 Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association will be March 23 - 26, 2003, in the Washington, D.C. area. Recreational Therapists from across the country will have the chance to enjoy Washington’s beautiful Cherry Blossoms while they attend this remarkable conference. This year’s theme: “ATRA: Capitalizing on Our Strengths”” reflects the dynamic nature of the conference addressing advocacy and advancements in the therapeutic recreation field.
Dr. Margaret G. Stineman, M.D. is scheduled as a keynote presenter for the conference. Dr. Stineman, one of the leading researchers in the rehabilitation field is the developer of the FRG's (Functionally Related Groups). Dr. Stineman's offers her enthusiastic support to ATRA and recreational therapists, stating, “"I find what you are doing to be extremely exciting and am honored that you are considering me as a keynote speaker. I see the work of recreational therapists with regard to community integration as absolutely essential. Its importance will continue to grow as we move toward concepts of community based rehabilitation."
ATRA has a reputation for significant advocacy efforts in the health care industry on behalf of its members. Many distinguished guests will be participating in this years’ conference including ATRA Legislative Counsel, Peter Thomas, Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Jeremy Allen, from the office of Representative Bilirakis, from Florida, and Connie Gardner from the office of Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts. Congressman John E. Peterson, of the Pennsylvania 5th Congressional District, will be very involved with the conference as well, in his new role as the ATRA Ad Hoc Advisor to the Board
Our Nation’s Capitol is the perfect place for recreational therapists to ‘Capitalize on their Strengths’ and to learn the latest advancements in the field of therapeutic recreation.
Three pre-conference institutes
are scheduled on the latest in treatment for rehabilitation
and individuals with dementia to an intensive workshop on
current public policy issues that affect healthcare and the
provision of therapeutic recreation services. The conference
includes over 30 educational sessions on a broad range of
state of the art healthcare topics from policy to programming
including; The World Health Organization’s ICF, Mental
Health Legislative Issues, Current Issues in Long Term Care,
Healthy People 2010, The Olmstead Decision: Implications for
Recreational Therapy, and how to implement a Therapeutic Ice
Skating Program. With over 70 Museums in the DC area, conference
participants will have many excellent educational opportunities
in addition to the excellent conference sessions.