Public Policy/Advocacy

ATRA is committed to securing adequate government aid, promoting inclusive programs, and increasing public awareness of issues in therapeutic recreation. The association routinely engages in several courses of action to meet these goals.

We provide "Action Alerts" to members. These are e-mails with sample letters, contact information, and a layman's summary of important legislation. The last Action Alert was in August 2009. Thanks to all the members who participated. ATRA continues to maintain a lobbyist in D.C. to look after member interests.

ATRA Members also provide funding for the RT Medicare Project. Many people who qualify for Medicaid waivers are not even aware that they exist. We hope you'll find this member-referred resource useful. It has information on waivers for all fifty states.

Tim Passmore, Ed.D, CTRS, serves as ATRA's volunteer coverage an reimbursement expert.

Members interested in forming state coalitions can contact the ATRA administrative office for a complimentary copy of State Recognition Options in Therapeutic Recreation: And Educational Resource. Here is an excerpt:

3.1     The Advocacy Process
Any one of the following steps requires a concerted and organized effort to advocate for quality therapeutic recreation services. In each of the steps identified in this chapter, the general advocacy process remains the same: organization, development of the message, consistent delivery of the message, follow-up and continuous monitoring.

1. Raise the issues.
2. Organize a group.
3. Begin the monitoring legislation and action.
4. Identify and develop relationships with agency staff and officials responsible for policy development.
5. Develop, borrow, or modify advocacy materials.
6. Develop position statements and a consistent messsage.
7. Disseminate position statements.
8. Involve consumers, families, and other professionals who support your position - meet with them or request that they provide oral and written testimony.
9. Follow up oral and written testimony with letters fo appreciation and acknowledgement.
10. Continue to monitor the issues.
11. Continue to follow-up with contacts, state legislators and other key people.
12. Repeat the process!