American Therapeutic Recreation Association

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American Therapeutic Recreation Association

ATRA is the largest national membership organization representing the interests and needs of recreational therapists.

Recreational therapists are healthcare providers who use recreational therapy interventions for improved functioning of individuals with illness or disabling conditions. ATRA, was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1984 as a non-profit, grassroots organization in response to growing concern about the dramatic changes in the healthcare industry.

05/29/2026

NEW ATRA STAFF MEMBER! 📣

We're excited to introduce Jourdan O'Connor, CTRS, as ATRA's newest staff member! Jourdan joins the team as our Administrative & Engagement Coordinator, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the field and a passion for empowering recreational therapists. Please join us in welcoming Jourdan to the ATRA team! 🧡

Welcome, Jourdan! 👏

05/28/2026

JOIN US ON THURSDAY 6/4! 📣

New to ATRA? We'd love to meet you! Not new but want an update on your ATRA benefits? We'd love to say hello! You're invited to join ATRA's Executive Director, Brent Wolfe, on Zoom for ATRA New Member Class! Brent will review the benefits and resources that accompany your ATRA membership, answer any questions you may have, and connect you with other members and/or opportunities! 🧡

New Member Class takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30PM ET on Zoom. We hope to see you on Thursday, June 4th. We're excited to connect with you. 🫶

Please visit the link below for the Zoom link and details! ⬇️

https://www.atra-online.com/live-events

05/27/2026

CALL FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS! 📣

Just one week left to nominate yourself or your colleagues for the 2026 ATRA Awards! The ATRA Awards Program is comprised of twelve awards that recognize and celebrate excellence in recreational therapy advocacy, education, leadership, practice, and research.

Professional recognition is vitally important, and the nomination process has never been easier—you may nominate yourself or a qualified colleague. If you wish to nominate a colleague, you only need to complete a basic nomination form; your nominee will then be invited to provide more in-depth information. Quick, easy, and so meaningful.

Who do you admire? Nominations are due by Friday, June 5th. Learn more and nominate someone now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/awards

05/25/2026

ATRA honors the tremendous courage and sacrifice of our fallen heroes this Memorial Day. 🇺🇸🙏

05/20/2026

CALL FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS! 📣

Two weeks left to nominate yourself or your colleagues for the 2026 ATRA Awards! The ATRA Awards Program is comprised of twelve awards that recognize and celebrate excellence in recreational therapy advocacy, education, leadership, practice, and research.

Professional recognition is vitally important, and the nomination process has never been easier—you may nominate yourself or a qualified colleague. If you wish to nominate a colleague, you only need to complete a basic nomination form; your nominee will then be invited to provide more in-depth information. Quick, easy, and so meaningful.

Who do you admire? Nominations are due by Friday, June 5th. Learn more and nominate someone now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/awards

05/19/2026

ATRA SoCal REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! 📣

Registration is now open for ATRA SoCal! We hope you'll join us in Brea, Orange County, California (October 17-19, 2026) for an unforgettable conference centered on belonging, connection, and systems change.

This year, in addition to our main conference, we're offering four exciting post-conference workshops on 10/20 and a virtual on-demand add-on (1.0 CEUs). Not planning to attend ATRA SoCal? No problem, you can purchase ATRA SoCal On-Demand separately and enjoy a meaningful sampling of key conference concepts wherever you are! 🧡

Enjoy Early Bird Rates until 7/30! Learn more and register now at the link below. See you in sunny SoCal! 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

05/14/2026

RT EDUCATOR SUPPORT GROUP 📣

Recreational therapy educators and practitioners connected to or interested in the educational process are invited to attend the upcoming connection-focused ATRA RT Educators Support Group on Thursday, May 28th from 6:00-7:30 PM Eastern on Zoom.

Session description: Accreditation, Sustainability & Standards — Oh My! Lions and tigers had it easy. Accreditation, professional standards, and the ongoing work of sustaining RT programs are real pressures, and this quarterly RT Educator's support group creates dedicated space to address them together. Come ready to share what you're navigating, compare notes with peers, and leave with something useful.

This virtual event is hosted by The ATRA Higher Education Committee. Zoom link is available at the link below. 🫶

https://www.atra-online.com/live-events

05/13/2026

RT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY! 📣

Last chance! Applications are due May 15th! Don't miss out! ‼️

It's time to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scholarship for Recreational Therapy Students! Undergraduate, graduate and PhD student members of ATRA are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scholarship, which offers financial support for recreational therapy students to attend the ATRA Annual Conference. 🧡

Attending an ATRA annual event is an incredible opportunity and ATRA SoCal (Brea, CA, October 17-19, 2026) is going to be unforgettable! Applications are due by May 15th. Review all the details and apply now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

05/12/2026

APRIL ATRA ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣

In April, ATRA provided a variety of resources on ATRA Connect, attended various meetings, and endorsed several sign on letters. There are two active Action Alerts:

‼️ Action Alert - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are being threatened as cuts to Medicaid and federal appropriations are being planned.

‼️ Action Alert - Take Action RE: Section 504 if you live in Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, or Texas!

Read the full April 2026 Advocacy & Legislative Update and learn more about the Action Alerts at the link below. Be Proactive. Stay Informed. YOU are ATRA and this is ! 👏

https://www.atra-online.com/advocacy

05/11/2026

CARTE SPRING 2026 NEWSLETTER! 📣

ATRA is pleased to share the Spring 2026 edition (Vol. 3, Issue 1) of Keeping Up With CARTE, The Committee on Accreditation for Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE)'s quarterly newsletter! Thank you to our friends at CARTE/CAAHEP! 🧡

The Committee on Accreditation for Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), under the auspices of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), promotes and advances the quality of educational programs for recreational therapy.

Read now and learn more at the link below:

https://www.atra-online.com/academic-program-reaccreditation

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http://www.atra-online.com/

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