American Therapeutic Recreation Association

ATRA was formed in response to recreational therapistís demand for an independent organization solely representing the needs and issues of the therapeutic recreation profession within the healthcare delivery system. The association is directed by an elected board of directors with over 35 volunteer committees, focused on areas such as public policy, coverage and reimbursement, diagnostic specialty groups, education and research. The association has its offices in Reston, Virginia. Since the inception of ATRA, the organization has emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement with the membership. As such, the formation of chapter affiliates is a very important feature within the association, relying on the individual chapter affiliates to provide constant feedback and information on the issues facing the profession to the board of directors. In addition, the organization places significant emphasis on consumer input into the professional direction of the organization and relies on a consumer advisory network for information related to the consumer's perspective. As a result, in 1995 the board of directors added two ad hoc positions to the board, one representing the Chapter Affiliate Council (chair elected by the chapters) and an appointed consumer advisor. These two ad hoc positions have created a meaningful exchange between constituency groups for the organization's response and future direction. The association provides a vast array of membership services focusing on professional practice, professional development, external affairs, advocacy, treatment networking and educational services. Specifically, ATRA leads the profession with nationally recognized professional standards of practice, code of ethics and competency guidelines. ATRA provides one mid-year professional issues forum and one annual conference each year at different locations across the country. Additionally, in 1998, the ATRA Academy was developed to provide quality, competency training and skill-based continuing education through regional workshops to the professional recreational therapists. In 1992, the American Therapeutic Recreation Foundation was formed as the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization affiliated with ATRA. This foundation supports annual research and education projects for the association, membership and profession and is administered independently by a board of trustees.

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