NEWS RELEASE
July 8, 2004

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

Recreational Therapist Appointed to State Stroke Prevention Taskforce

(Alexandria, VA) ATRA Member Vicki Scott has been officially appointed to Stroke Prevention Taskforce effective July 1, 2004 until July 1, 2008. Scott, who is the Program Manager for Hook Rehab Center in Indianapolis, will be the only CTRS involved. . According to Scott, this task force has the potential to be very big for recreation therapy and its recognition as a viable treatment option for persons experiencing stroke. Scott has been actively involved with ATRA’s State Public Policy team.

Scott described, “It started with a bill to create a Stroke Prevention Task Force – HB 1171. “ Scott, who is the legislative chairman for ATRA’s state Chapter Affiliate in Indiana, RTI, noticed the bill being introduced by the House of Representatives in Indiana, and saw it as an opportunity for RT to get involved. Scott provided information regarding why recreational therapy should be on this commission and worked with Indiana Rep. Peggy Welsh to specifically include recreational therapy to the bill as a healthcare commission member. This was accomplished and the bill passed and was signed by the governor in March 2004.

With encouraged from her chapter affiliate, RTI, Scott pursued the appointment and formally applied to the commission. She received a letter of recommendation from Rep. Welsh, and was recently informed by the Governor’s office of the appointment. The appointment is for 4 years from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2008.
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. There are approximately 4 million Americans living with the effects of stroke. According to Scott, this task force as an excellent opportunity for recreational therapy to get involved because this is a population that many recreational therapists work with. Scott states, “I am thrilled to have been asked and very excited to be able to participate in this task force and I hope to do some education about our profession”. ATRA President Melinda Conway Callahan added, “Recreational Therapists throughout our nation are working towards changing public policy to ensure access to recreational therapy for all Americans. The American Therapeutic Recreation Association supports members like Vicki Scott and the impact she will have on the residents of Indiana.”

ATRA’s executive director Ann Huston stated “This is an excellent example of the contributions of individual chapters to the recognition, respect and reimbursement of recreational therapists in the state of Indiana. Vicki's leadership in the ATRA Chapter, Recreation Therapists of Indiana, is outstanding and evident in her relationship with the state's legislative officials. We are very proud of Vicki, her accomplishments and the RTI chapter.”

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The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was founded in 1984 to advance the profession of therapeutic recreation. ATRA is a non-profit, professional membership organization dedicating 100% of resources and efforts to promote therapeutic recreation professionals in health care and human service settings. For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office http://www.atra-tr.org