THERAPEUTIC FACILITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

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Rochelle Callis CRPD Therapeutic Recreation Program Final Report and Recommendations September 8, 2017 page 41 Consideration 4: what are the relative cost and participants amongst other CRPD program units? We repeat our caution on the top of page 2 of this report: "We start with a caution. The development and maintenance of services for people with disabilities costs more than similar services for people without disabilities. This is a fact from coast to coast." Is it appropriate for CRPD to contrast the number of registrants in each program unit, to the fiscal resources budgeted for each unit? Without a doubt it is. That said, we guarantee that the program unit with the fewest persons served per budget dollar is likely to be the Therapeutic Recreation program. We suggest that this issue should not be one that is determined solely by a balance sheet. Decades ago, CRPD established the Therapeutic Recreation program because of community interest and was likely a realization that this population, people with disabilities, also should have CRPD programs. We suspect every CRPD employee is aware of the higher cost of programs for people with disabilities. Consideration S: where are the service gaps, and what do nonprofits provide? In our September, 2015 proposal to the District, we noted the likely need for a leisure interest survey regarding any program expansion, and this would be an ideal opportunity to gather information about service gaps. This survey was to be a Phase Two project, likely occurring this or next fiscal year. Leadership staffs raised a question about the role of the nonprofit community regarding therapeutic recreation. The role of nonprofit agencies in the Conejo Valley is not to be underestimated. However, in our limited discussions with these groups, we found limited scope of service, e.g., horseback riding, soccer, baseball, or efforts lead by volunteers. These nonprofit services are desired by the community. Are they on par with the recreation and park services for people without disabilities that are managed by CRPD professionals, and funded by the District annually? We do not believe so. Consideration 6: what amount is required to rightsize the Therapeutic Recreation program? In discussion with CRPD leadership staffs, we explored the issue of what amount is needed to rightsize the Therapeutic Recreation program budget. There are several approaches to this issue. First, CRPD could set a number and work towards that, and whatever the number is ($0,$100,000, or $200,000) fill the Therapeutic Recreation basket with programs and personnel that can be acquired with that budget. Second, CRPD could ask the people who use Therapeutic Recreation programs, and those with disabilities who either do not know about the program or cannot get into the program because of THE W -T GRo DBA RECREATION ACCESSIBILITY CONSULTff- ONE SOURCE. INFINITE SOLUTIONS.