Public Policy in Rec Therapy

Picture: Mary Ann Keogh Hoss (ATRA President 2008-2009), The Honorable Representative G.T. Thompson, and Norma Sumbo. Picture taken at the General Session/ Membership Meeting at the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) national conference (Oct. 4, 2009) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. G.T. Thompson was awarded as an ATRA Distinguished Fellow at this 2009 conference for his outstanding contributions to our profession.

Public Policy in Recreational Therapy was discussed at a breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 4th, 2009 at the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota (prior to the opening session).

The Honorable Representative G.T. Thompson (former ATRA president) was a speaker at this breakfast. He represents the 5th district of Pennsylvania and he's the first Certified Therapeutic Recreation Speclaist elected to the U.S. Congress.

Thompson said, “I love to learn. I’ve been a lifelong learner. I enjoy learning.” I think this is one reason he’s ascended to the honorable position that he has. I discuss the importance of reading and being a lifelong learner as key ingredients to becoming great and successful in my book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom: A Recreational Therapist’s System on How You Can Become Great at Anything!

Here are some tips and advice that I learned from G.T. Thompson during this session:

Recreational Therapists: It is OUR responsibility to advance the profession. Public policy is absolutely the way to do it. If we, recreational therapists don’t do it then someone else will. Other people may advocate for different things.

Good news, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association is there to help, us. Of course, I, Danny Pettry (member of ATRA, but not a representative of ATRA) highly encourage all recreational therapists to join this association.

Thompson encouraged all people to register to vote. It’s our right and our responsibility. He doesn’t tell you which party to register for and to vote for. He argues that a person should find a person in the field who shares your political views.

Sandra Negley (past ATRA president 2006 to 2007) has also pointed out the importance of education and learning during this public policy breakfast. She said, “higher education is a must.”

Think of it this way. In order to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam, a person must have four content-based courses in therapeutic recreation. This is only four. Compared to education in other professions there is a very small amount of core content course work. Examples include: education required to become a nurse or counselor.

It is far easier to advocate for our professional services if we increase our education as a whole. So, naturally, I, [Danny Pettry] encourage you to always continue your education.

Thompson pointed out that we’re “specialists” and not “generalists.” We, recreational therapists, earn the “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist” credential. We are people who are devoted to our specialization: therapeutic recreation (a.k.a. recreational therapy).

Public policy will always be an issue for recreational therapy. It’s up to us to do it.

Please email me if you’re interested in helping. I’ll help you to get in touch with one of our leaders in public policy, Missy Armstrong. I think it is best to be in touch with the leaders like her to make certain that our individual actions aren’t counterproductive to the big picture goals for the association. I, [Danny Pettry] am a proud member of ATRA, however, I’m not an official spokesperson for the association.