THERAPEUTIC FACILITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

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Rochelle Callis CRPD Therapeutic Recreation Program Final Report and Recommendations September 8, 2017 page 12 As inferred earlier, it is difficult for Therapeutic Recreation Program staffs to manage therapeutic recreation programs and at the same time assist recreation staffs in meeting the complex mandates of the ADA. We see more communities separating these functions, with one professional staff managing the therapeutic recreation program, and another professional staff managing inclusion. Change is Ahead Several factors will cause great change in programs for people with disabilities in the coming years. One is demographics: the incidence of disability is rising, and will continue to do so for decades. Technology is another, as continued advances in healthcare, communications, and prosthetics allow more people with a variety of disabilities to more fully participate in the community. These advances will have a quantifiable effect. These advances will increase demand by people with disabilities for inclusive participation in District programs, as well as increasing demand for Therapeutic Recreation Program services. To meet these demands, the District must start planning now, not in 2020 or 2030. THE C014EJO RPD THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM Started before 1980, the CRPD Therapeutic Recreation Program was developed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in the Conejo Valley. The Therapeutic Recreation program staff are located at Old Meadows and conduct programs there and at other CRPD locations, as well as at other community locations. A dedicated group of staff provides year round recreation and therapeutic recreation opportunities for youth and adults with a variety of special needs. Each season, the staff offer more than 20 programs, some meeting weekly and others occurring as special events. Programs offered range from intense three-day trips to mountains and lakes, while others are relatively quiet learn -to -cook events at Old Meadows. Seasonal participation ranges between 500 and 600 duplicated registrations per season. The culture of support and service to these populations is strong. Many families of persons with disabilities are hesitant to leave their loved ones in the care of others. As a result, earning the trust of those families is imperative. Therefore, the marketing to these populations is different than is marketing to families of persons without disabilities. The caring staff of this special unit serve many roles. They are marketing experts, outreach specialists, counselors, negotiators, and of course, recreation providers. It is evident in our evaluation that participants in the Therapeutic Recreation Program place a high value on the program. Recreation activities provide many benefits for registrants without disabilities in the general recreation programs. The difference in the Therapeutic Recreation Programs is that the goals and skills needed most by these populations are the focus of the program plans and an integral part of the program m m THE W -T GRO, DBA RECREATION ACCESSIBILITY CONSULT .0 ONE SOURCE. INFINITE SOLUTIONS.