451 Now on ATRAnet

I just made a post on ATRAnet (ATRA's listserv provided by Oklahoma State University) and noted that there are now 451 people on ATRAnet. I believe that is an all-time high and shows the value of having the listserv.

New York Licensure Bill has Sponsors

Some good news from Robin Wexler about a licensure bill for New York state. She reports:


Some real good news. Assemblymember Zebowski has officially sponsored the New York State Therapeutic Recreation Licensure Bill. The bill number is A 05303. It was referred to the Higher Education Committee on 2-22-13. We presently have sponsorship in both the Senate and Assembly. The bill is also sponsored by Senator Lanza. The bill number for the Seante is S2141. Now is the time (for residents of New York) to contact your legislator. Ask both your assemblymember and senator to CO-SPONSOR THE BILL.

Disability.gov Quote of the Day

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." Ralph Waldo Emerson

ATRA Now Accepting Nominations for the ATRA Board

From ATRA: 
Have you ever wanted to get more involved in leading your profession and your professional association? Have you served on a team or committee and wondered what’s next? ATRA needs your passion and your unique abilities. The ATRA Nominations and Elections team is excited to announce that we are seeking nominations for the positions of President elect, Secretary and 3 Board Member at large positions and CAC Chair Elect to serve on the ATRA Board of Directors. If you would like to nominate a fellow ATRA member please contact the Nominations & Elections Chair, Laurie Jake, CTRS

RT Openings at VA Puget Sound -- Need to Apply Today

VA Puget Sound is hiring two Recreation Therapists! One position will work at our Seattle division and will work with the community living center residents and our inpatient rehab program. The other position will be working at our American Lake division (Tacoma area) and will work with the community living center residents, dementia special care program. Announcement numbers for usajobs.com are as follows:


Seattle - LP-13-MZa-838554
American Lake - LP-13-MZa-838560
Closes 2/22/2013

Please contact Julie Adams at 206-277-6687 or at Julie.Adams1@va.gov for any questions.

Assistant Professor of Recreation & Leisure Studies

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE (VWC) Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies invites applications for a tenure-track position, beginning fall, 2013, as assistant professor within one of the largest majors on campus. A doctorate in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field is required at the time the position begins. The selected candidate will contribute to the Department’s core curriculum as well as one of two career tracks, Recreation Administration or Recreation Therapy. What we're looking for is the faculty colleague who has a passion for teaching, wants to be a part of our Department as our curriculum grows to reflect his/her expertise, and seeks opportunities to conduct scholarly work in keeping with the expectations of a teaching-oriented institution. We are quite proud that we are approaching 30 years of having our program accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and related Professions (COAPRT).

Development of courses related to the individual’s areas of interest also will be encouraged including opportunities for Winter Session experimental and travel courses. The salary is extremely competitive and an attractive benefits package is offered.

Virginia Wesleyan College is a small (1400 students, 91 full-time faculty), selective, and diverse liberal arts institution sited on 300 beautiful wooded acres in the heart of the historical, economically dynamic, and culturally rich Hampton Roads metropolitan area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk). VWC seeks committed teacher/scholars willing to foster undergraduate research, be professionally active, and advance the college’s quest for Phi Beta Kappa recognition. The primary focus of VWC is excellence in teaching. Faculty members are encouraged to exercise their academic freedom to enhance student learning through dynamic classroom experience as well as practical application in the community as our 4-credit curriculum allows for enriching experiences outside the classroom. Recreation and Leisure Studies’ educational offerings are augmented by a strong collaboration with a number of local agencies for internships and experiential learning including a new community recreation center less than a mile from campus and strong connections to one of the largest and fastest-growing YMCA systems in the country.

The Department enjoys excellent support from across campus and opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and collaboration are numerous.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable at this point), and three letters of reference as PDF attachments to Ms. Jane Kiefer, Assistant to the Recreation & Leisure Studies Search Committee, at jkiefer@vwc.edu. Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2013 and continue until the position is filled. Questions prior to application may be directed to Dr. Wayne Pollock, Department Coordinator, via (757) 455-3369 or wpollock@vwc.edu. Recreation and Leisure Studied Department website: http://facultystaff.vwc.edu/~rec/index.php.

Wayne Pollock, Ph.D., CTRS
Virginia Wesleyan College
1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
wpollock@vwc.edu
757-455-3369

ATRA Reminders on Mid-Year Forum

The ATRA Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee,
is just around the corner!
Register by February 27th for the best rate!

Don't forget to book your hotel room before FEBRUARY 27th, 2013!

Slippery Rock RT Program Accreditated

It has been announced that Slippery Rock University's RT program has been accreditated. To date, the following universities have achieved accreditation of their academic program by the CAAHEP and CARTE:


• Western Carolina University
• Temple University
• East Carolina University
• Slippery Rock University

Peg Connolly Scholarship Reminder

Peg Connolly Scholarship


The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is excited to provide the opportunity for ATRA Student members to receive the Peg Connolly Scholarship. Named in honor of Dr. Peg Connolly, the first ATRA president and former Executive Director of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, this program provides tremendous personal and professional benefits and rewards. Not only do students gain professional knowledge from sessions, students have the opportunity to network with professionals from around the country. ATRA believes the future of our field depends on the continuing growth of students. Today, many former scholarship recipients prove this belief by serving vital roles within our profession.

Basic Info: Eight stipends are available to attend ATRA’s Annual Conference, including conference registration, accommodations, and a meal stipend ($100). Students are responsible for transportation to/from the conference. This scholarship is a “working scholarship”. Students assist in various aspects of implementing the conference such as room hosting, registration and monitoring social events. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate members of ATRA who will be enrolled in a therapeutic recreation program during the conference year. You must be able to attend a mandatory training on September 28, 2013 as well as the ATRA Annual Conference from September 29-October 2, 2013 (please note that these dates include pre-con sessions). Applications are due April 5, 2013.

ATRA Reminder

Don't forget to book your hotel room for the ATRA Mid-Year before FEBRUARY 27th, 2013!


The 2013 Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum will be held Sunday, March 10th through Tuesday, March 12th in Chattanooga, TN!

Position Openings in Arizona

From Laurie Jake:
We invite you to explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities within the Department of Health Services at the Arizona State Hospital.

The Arizona State Hospital
As the state's only publicly owned and operated hospital, we provide a welcoming environment and a full continuum of psychiatric and medical care.

The hospital promotes hope and wellness for our patients and creates opportunities to participate in planning, delivering, and evaluating services that assist with recovery. Treatment is individualized with goals that focus on education about an illness, instilling hope and improving one's overall quality of life. We believe all individuals can live a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Description: Description:

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0BpohyfoavwA45JbQ

Description: Description: http://dvs.az.gov/images/azstatejobs_300x104.gif


CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
* PSYCHIATRIST
* SUBSTANCE ABUSE COORDINATOR (LISAC)
* NURSE PRACTITIONER (NP)
* PSYCHIATRIC NURSE (RN)
* RECREATIONAL THERAPIST 3
* RECREATIONAL THERAPIST 2

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.azstatejobs.gov , click "Search for Jobs", type keyword DHS in the search field and self-nominate for the position(s) of interest. The Human Resources Office will only accept resumes that have been entered into this website; resumes sent directly by mail or e-mail to Human Resources will not be accepted.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Faculty Position Announcement
Clinical Assistant Professor: Non-tenure track position
Department of Recreation Management and Policy
University of New Hampshire

Position
The University of New Hampshire invites applications and nominations for a Clinical Assistant Professor position (non-tenure track) in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy beginning Academic Year 2013-14. The position adheres to the academic year calendar with opportunity for renewal.

The Department of Recreation Management and Policy is one of eight departments in the College of Health and Human Services. The Department has been NRPA/AALR accredited since 1985 and offers its undergraduate (B.S.) majors a choice of two Options: Program Administration and Therapeutic Recreation. Graduate (M.S.) Options include Recreation Administration and Therapeutic Recreation Administration. The University of New Hampshire is the state’s public research university, providing comprehensive, high quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. The University of New Hampshire is dedicated to creating a more diverse community, knowing that inclusion, diversity, and equity are vales inextricably linked to our mission of educational excellence. The University of New Hampshire is located near the New Hampshire seacoast and is within sixty miles of Boston, Portland and the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire.

Qualifications
A master's degree with at least one degree in therapeutic recreation and current certification by NCTRC and a New Hampshire license is required (CTRS/L). Additional requirements include: a minimum of three years of professional experience in the field, and prior experience teaching recreation therapy and recreation and leisure studies courses at the college level. The applicant must have effective interpersonal skills, and be able to manage and organize a professional internship program.

Primary Responsibilities:
Implement internship education program
Teach and supervise clinical labs within the therapeutic recreation option
Enhance service-learning practica for students
Assume teaching responsibilities and curriculum development responsibilities as necessary within the Department of Recreation Management and Policy
Provide leadership within the professional community
Development in-service opportunities for practitioners
Advise undergraduate students

Application Procedures and Deadline
To apply, please submit a letter of application, vitae and three letters of reference to: Dr. Patti Craig, Search Committee Chair, Department of Recreation Management and Policy, 101 Hewitt Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H. 03824-3563. Telephone: (603) 862-0140; e-mail: pjcraig@unh.edu. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled.

Allison Wilder, PhD, CTRS/L
Assistant Professor
Department of Recreation Management and Policy
109 Hewitt Hall
4 Library Way
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Work: 603-862-2710
Fax: 603 862-2722

Disability.gov Quote of the Day

"Words are like weapons; they wound sometimes." Cher

Disability.gov Quote of the Day

"Be different, stand out and work your butt off." Reba McEntire

This is RT Month & Definition of RT

From Audra Love Gibson:

February equals Recreation Therapy Month!! Go out and RECREATE

Definition Statement

"Recreational Therapy” means a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.

I think Audra has done a good job with her definition. What do you think?

ATRA Mid-Year Issues Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2013 ATRA Mid-Year Issues Forum is now open! Go to the ATRA website.


The 2013 Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum will be held Sunday, March 10th through Tuesday, March 12th.

ATRA Webinars on Caring for Yourself

From Jean Folkerth, Re.D., CTRS. ATRA Academy Coordinator:
Are you suffering from stress? Do you need some reminders to care for yourself ? This webinar series is for you. Learn to deal with stress, learn self care practice to avoid compassion fatigue and improve your sleep!

Series C: CARING FOR YOURSELF AS A THERAPIST

• Session C1: Stress Less! Stress Management Techniques for Therapists
Date: Friday, February 8 Time: 1:00 p.m.
ATRA Academy Faculty: Janice Elich Monroe, Ed.D., CTRS

Work place stress can be caused by workload, personal values, social and cultural factors and technology. This session explores both personal and technological stressors and strategies (traditional and technological) through which stressors can be recognized and alleviated.
• Session C2: Cultivating Self-Care Practice to Avoid Compassion Fatigue
Date: Friday, February 15 Time: 1:00
ATRA Academy Faculty: Susan “Boon” Murray, Ed.D., CCLS, CTRS

This webinar is an exploration of healthy self-care practice to enhance ‘compassion satisfaction’ and avoid ‘compassion fatigue’ and burnout from the unaware secondary traumatic stress of doing therapeutic work. Participants will understand their vulnerability to compassion fatigue, discover revitalizing standards of self-care, inventory their current self-care practice, identify positive steps for reducing caregiver stress by creating a written self-care plan, and access resources for cultivating a healthy workplace that honors self-care.

• Session C3: Achieving Better Sleep for our Patients and Ourselves
Date: Friday February 22 Time: 1:00
ATRA Academy Faculty: Debbie Robinson, MS, CTRS/L

We all burn the candle at both ends and many times our sleep suffers for it. Join us to learn about sleep, how sleep deficits can exacerbate illness and strategies to improve sleep quality.
Go to the ATRA website and sign up today!

Disability.gov Quote of the Day

"It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action." Honore de Balzac