2015 MTRA Educational Conference
October 29, 2015
7:30-5:15
St. Thomas University Campus – Terrence Murphy Hall
1000 Lasalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Tentative Program
(.9 CEU’s applied for)
7:30
8:00-8:10
8:10-8:40
8:40-8:50
8:50-9:00
9:00-10:00
Registration
Welcome/Announcements
MTRA Annual Membership Meeting
Public Policy Action needed
BREAK
BEING PLAYFUL: Commit to a Playfulness Plan and Create Your PLAY Manifesto
Speaker: Susan “Boon” Murray and Jessica Blum
*Session 'Being Playful' is a 2-part session; Attendees must attend both sessions 1 and 2 in
order to receive CEU's for either.
Session Description: “If you are not play-nourished, your core will not be light!” (Stuart Brown,
MD). Ponder, self-assess, and affirm playfulness through multimedia experiences. Learn from
first-person accounts of TR participants, positive psychologists and strengths-based TR textbook
authors, the Goldfish guide, and play scientists how to declare your playful self today, and once
and for all, as a ‘Play Manifesto’.
10:00-10:15
BREAK
10:15-11:15
Continue (Part 2)- BEING PLAYFUL: Commit to a Playfulness Plan and Create Your PLAY
Manifesto
11:15-11:30
BREAK
11:30-12:30
(choose)
Book for the Bookends: Repurposing Children's Literature as a Treatment Modality
Speaker: Jenny Barlow
Session Description: THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT - CHARLOTTE'S WEB - THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT
COULD - MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS - THE LITTLE HOUSE.
Do these titles ring a bell? Did one or more make you sigh with contentment as it triggered a
pleasant memory? Although the intended audience for these books might be kids, we were all
young once and many of us loved to read. In fact, many seniors still love to read, but struggle
doing so, often because dementia gets in the way of following the storyline. Good news:
‘Children's’ books are short enough to be enjoyed cover to cover, plus there are many other
aspects of this kind of literature that make it an excellent medium to connect therapeutically
with the elderly. Learn how to identify and utilize books to offer the best therapeutic value
based on specific needs of seniors.
OR
Integrative Health Practices for the Recreational Therapist: Programs for Living Well
Speaker: Shelia Judd
Session Description: You will enjoy Sheila’s dynamic, engaging style as she shares Integrative
Health Practices beneficial for patients, residents, clients, staff and caregivers. Learn about the
field of Integrative Health (also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or CAM),
the whole person healing model, definitions and benefits. Experience energy healing and learn
various integrative health practices including healing touch, mindful movement/qigong,
aromatherapy and others. Discover what is necessary for the Recreational Therapist to
implement and evaluate integrative health practices into your treatment plan and your
organization. Also, understand the importance of self-care to enhance your healing presence for
optimal care of your residents improving their quality of life.
12:30-1:30
LUNCH & Networking
1:30-2:30
Leisure as a Human Right: Implications for Therapeutic Recreation
Speaker: Jim Wise
Session Description: This session articulates a strong rationale for identifying leisure as a human
right because leisure is a prime contributor to human flourishing. The session concludes by
calling upon the TR profession to serve as a just institution that focuses on ensuring all people,
especially people with disabilities, illnesses, and limiting conditions, enjoy their right to leisure.
2:30-2:45
2:45-3:45
BREAK
(choose)
Evidence-Based Practice: Developing Geriatric Recreational Therapy Competencies
Speaker: Nancy E. Richeson
Session Description: During this session we will understand how practice informs research
(evidence-based practice) and research informs practice (practice-based evidence). A variety of
applied applications to practice will be provided. These include recreational therapy
interventions from two clinical practice guidelines, and innovative brain fitness activities that
promote engagement. Lastly, we will develop a plan of action to increase our knowledge, skills,
and abilities based on a review of our competencies.
OR
The Healing Therapeutic Environment & Elements that Impact Recovery and Quality
of Life
Speaker: Michelle O’Leary
Session Description: This session will provide an overview of several Evidence-Based Design
Elements that contribute to Healing Therapeutic Environments. Each of the elements than will
link the related research to the impacts on recovery and improved quality of life for individuals
with mental illness.
3:45-4:00
BREAK
4:00-5:00
(choose)
What is Disability? and how the Response Impacts Therapeutic Recreation Services
Speaker: Jim Wise
Session Description: Therapeutic recreation exists to serve people with disabilities so it is
essential for us to possess a thorough understanding of the disability phenomenon. This session
examines three predominate models of disability and how the models impact services provided
by therapeutic recreation specialists. A new model of disability, constructed from one of the
three models, is presented and implications for the profession are outlined; most notably a
vision where disability is malleable, potentially positive and a contributor to human flourishing.
OR
Assessing Community Accessibility: Navigating Community Mobility and Transportation for
the Recreational Therapist
Speaker: Robyn Bernardy
Session Description: The ability to ride public transportation is a vital skill to have for individuals
to access educational, vocational, medical, social and recreational opportunities within their
communities. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements for public transit agencies will
be discussed along with Rights and Responsibilities for riders with disabilities. Getting to and
from public entities--such as restaurants, place of employment, medical facilities and even the
bus stop-is a crucial piece to the puzzle; We will discuss path of travel issues, including
introducing an accessibility tool. We will also be discussing effective ways to advocate for
improving community accessibility and educating our patients/clients to assess accessibility and
advocate for themselves. From inpatient/residential Community Re-integration outings, to
community-based treatment, the Recreational Therapist will be prepared for handling whatever
barriers arise!
5:00-5:15
Announcements/Evaluations
Thank you for attending the 2015 MTRA Educational Conference!