Jazlyn Fisher, CTRS, NBHWC

08/25/2025

Indiana officials are proposing changes to Medicaid waivers that would significantly cut therapy options for people with disabilities.

08/25/2025

Speak out!!!

🚨The State Ombudsman, Matt Rodway, has indicated that he wants to hear directly from families and clients about how the proposed therapy hour caps would affect them.

📧Email: Matt.Rodway@fssa.in.gov
📞Call: 317-503-1217

When encouraging families or clients to connect with him, please share the following key points they may want to highlight in their conversations or letters:

• Hour caps do not reflect individual needs. Therapy should be tailored to each person, not rationed.
• Recreation Therapy and Music Therapy improve health, independence, and social skills for many waiver participants.
• Limiting therapy hours may increase long-term costs by reducing preventive supports, which can lead to higher hospitalizations and crisis interventions.
• Policy decisions should include input from therapists, families, and self-advocates who understand the real-world impact.
• Families and participants face barriers accessing alternative services like DIH or PAC and need strong allies to ensure their voices are heard.
Important Guidance for Families

To make their advocacy as effective and respectful as possible, please suggest that families:

✅ Use clinical language (e.g., “Recreation Therapy helps my loved one manage anxiety and build coping skills” rather than “provides emotional support”).
✅ Refer to therapy sessions as clinical treatment (e.g., “sessions” or “interventions”), not simply “outings.”
✅ Focus on skills, outcomes, and health improvements rather than general enjoyment or entertainment.
✅ Avoid cussing, venting, or blaming the state. Keeping communication professional and respectful will ensure their concerns are taken seriously.

RTI is excited to have this opportunity for families and individuals to provide direct feedback. There is a handout above that can be shared with families.

There is only have THIS week and NEXT before the state is required to submit their decisions to CMS so please make contact with those families quickly and encourage them to call or email ASAP.

07/10/2025

We need your voices! 📣
Are you a family member, individual, or provider who has experienced the impact of Recreation Therapy services? We’re gathering testimonies to highlight the importance of this service — and why it should never be limited to just 6 hours per month.
If you’re willing to share your story, please comment your email below ⬇️ and a member of Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) will send you a photo/testimonial release form.
Once completed, please email the signed form along with your testimony to: recreationtherapistsofindiana@gmail.com
Your voice matters — together, we can advocate for the services our communities deserve! 💙

07/10/2025

📢 PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN!📢
For the next 30 days, service providers, clients, families, and community members have the opportunity to speak up about the proposed changes that will negatively impact vital services like Recreation Therapy.
📝 Submit your concerns by emailing:
📧 ddrswaivernoticecomment@fssa.in.gov
If you’re unsure what to say or need help with wording, we’ve got you covered! 🙌 Check out the RETH talking prompts from a previous post — they’re easy to follow and help get your voice heard.
Your story matters. Your voice matters. Let’s make sure it’s heard! 💪✨

📢 PUBLIC COMMENT OPENS TODAY! 📢
For the next 30 days, service providers, clients, families, and community members have the opportunity to speak up about the proposed changes that will negatively impact vital services like Recreation Therapy.
📝 Submit your concerns by emailing:
📧 ddrswaivernoticecomment@fssa.in.gov
If you’re unsure what to say or need help with wording, we’ve got you covered! 🙌 Check out the RETH talking prompts from a previous post — they’re easy to follow and help get your voice heard.
Your story matters. Your voice matters. Let’s make sure it’s heard! 💪✨

07/02/2025

https://www.change.org/p/support-individual-s-choice-for-recreational-therapy-access-for-medicaid-waiver-recipients?recruiter=1367201089&recruited_by_id=31320a10-fa2d-11ef-ace7-bf40481d7ff0&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_promote_or_share&utm_term=psf&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490631727_en-US%3A9

Please take a moment to sign the petition! Individuals are losing their ability to choose their services and proposed caps on RT, MT, and behavior services.

Support Individual's Choice for Recreational Therapy Access for Medicaid Waiver Recipients

12/13/2022

Almost 8 years ago I was escorted to this exact room and assigned to this exact bed in my 13th center.

At this point in my life my family, friends and even myself felt it was in everyone’s best interest to love me from a distance… and I agreed…….🤦‍♂️

I had never felt so alone in my life…😢

Almost 8 years later, still sober and celebrating my 44th the amount of love I was shown and messages received were completely overwhelming. I am beyond grateful for all of you……🎂🎊💗🙏

Its for this exact reason why I have dedicated my life to making sure no one feels as alone as I did at one point in my life…💫✨🙏

Need help call me: 610-314-6747

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?

10/02/2022

We all have occurrences of feeling lost- leaving us feeling helpless, numb, unmotivated, or without direction.

Although you may feel like your circumstances are out of your control, you can still control how you react to them.

ARTIST: .Toad

07/08/2022

I’m proud to announce I received my results, and I’m officially NBC-HWC certified!!

02/03/2022

01/28/2022

Is your “New Years Resolution” off to a less-than-ideal start? RECreate You will be offering one month of FREE coaching/wellness sessions. Like and share for your chance to win! Drawing will be held on Sunday, January 30!

01/25/2022

Which Drake are you? Whether you comment *yoink* as a coping skill, or attend therapy, recreation therapy is for you!