Illinois Association of Park Districts
Application for Recognition of a Special Recreation Association
Instructions
Welcome to the recognition process! The IAPD is pleased to participate in this important effort to
formally recognize special recreation associations (SRAs) that comply with section 8-10b of the Park
District Code and section 11-95-14 of the Municipal Code.
Please answer every question completely and provide one or more of the materials indicated as an
acceptable documentation of your answer. A Recognition Review Panel, appointed by IAPD, will
receive and review each application. Applicants that successfully and correctly answer and document
the correct answer will be recommended for formal recognition as an SRA.
The names of formally recognized SRAs shall be forwarded by IAPD to the Illinois Department of
Human Services or other state agencies as the need arises. An SRA can then choose to seek a license to
provide service under State guidelines, apply for grant programs, or become involved in other ways with
various State agencies.
The fee for this application shall accompany the application or it will be returned to the submitter. The
fee for SRA members of IAPD is $400. The fee for an SRA that is not a member of IAPD is $1,000.
Each applicant shall provide 5 copies of all materials. Applications must be received at the IAPD office
by May 31 of each year.
Criterion 1
Review Panel
Recommendation
The association must consist of two or more park districts
which have entered into a joint agreement with one another,
and/or with recreation boards and the corporate authorities
of cities, villages, and incorporated towns specified in § 1195-14 of the Illinois Municipal Code, for the purpose of
providing joint recreation programs and services for
handicapped residents of their communities. In a county with
a population of 300,000 or less, the joint agreement may be
one entered into by a single park district and another unit of
local government. See 65 ILCS 5/11-95-14, and 70 ILCS
1205/8-10b and -/5-8.
Examples of materials acceptable to document this issue are executed Articles of Agreement, an
executed Memorandum of Understanding, an executed interagency agreement, or an executed contract,
all of which must name the partner park districts or municipalities.
Application for Formal Recognition of a Special Recreation Association
Page 2
Criterion 2
Review Panel
Recommendation
A written agreement among the cooperating entities entered
into pursuant to § 8-10b of the Park District Code (and if
applicable to § 11-95-14 of the Municipal Code), including
provisions of the type described in these statutes for
governance and operating principles of their joint
undertaking to provide recreational programs for individuals
with disabilities in the participating districts.
Examples of materials acceptable to document this issue are executed Articles of Agreement, an
executed Memorandum of Understanding, an executed interagency agreement, or an executed contract.
These documents shall describe the powers, mission, and in general terms, the services to be provided,
by this special recreation association.
Criterion 3
Review Panel
Recommendation
Programs and services are available to all residents of the
joint agreement entities on an equal eligibility and fee
structure basis.
Examples of materials acceptable to document this issue are minutes of an SRA Board meeting in
which eligibility of residents of partner communities is discussed, an approved policy statement
addressing eligibility of residents or nonresidents, seasonal SRA program brochures that describe
eligibility for SRA programs, or some other evidence that describes eligibility..
Criterion 4
Review Panel
Recommendation
A governing board constituted consistent with the provisions
of the joint agreement, which may exercise governance
responsibilities including, but not limited to administrative
and financial operations, policy making, general oversight of
joint agreement programs and services, and supervision of the
joint agreement executive director or other chief
administrative officer, if any.
Examples of materials acceptable to document this issue are executed Articles of Agreement, an
executed Memorandum of Understanding, an executed interagency agreement, or an executed contract.
These documents shall describe the process by which representatives to the SRA Board are appointed,
their powers, and their responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help, listed on the next page are some FAQs and answers about this process and about these criteria.
Application for Formal Recognition of a Special Recreation Association
Page 3
FAQ 1
Who developed these criteria?
The criteria were developed by a group of special recreation association directors. Feedback was
considered from various park districts and SRAs. An additional review was completed by a trio
of legal counsel familiar with the Park District Code who represent SRAs and park districts.
FAQ 2
Why is recognition necessary?
The State of Illinois usually requires some type of third-party recognition that verifies that an
agency is a health care provider and meets minimum requirements for personnel preparation,
quality assurance, risk management, and disability knowledge. No such third-party system exists
that is applicable to SRAs so this new system has been created.
FAQ 3
Why is there a fee to apply for recognition?
To carefully review applications will take time. IAPD is charging a fee to its members that
provides for minimal cost recovery. For non-members of IAPD, the fee should be and is higher.
FAQ 4
What is an SRA?
The Park District Code and the Municipal Code are clear about the characteristics of a special
recreation association, or joint agreement. It must be a partnership of park districts, cities, or
other local governments. There must be an enforceable agreement between the partners and their
must be joint decision-making by the partners. Residents of each partner community must be
able to participate without paying nonresident fees. All of these are reflected in the criteria.
FAQ 5
We become a recognized SRA…what’s next?
That depends on the SRA. Some SRAs may wish to pursue a license from the Illinois
Department of Human Services to provide some services to adults or children who receive
Medicaid Waiver funds. Others may wish to wait for the development of a grant program. IAPD
believes that formal recognition does have value though.
FAQ 6
Can we be an SRA and not operate the way others do?
As long as an applicant is a partnership of park districts and cities and meets the other criteria, it
can be an SRA. Some SRAs are centralized…it works for them. Some are decentralized…it
works for them. Some have become 501(c)(3) agencies…some have not. Some contract out to a
nonprofit to carry out the work of the SRA. IAPD recognizes that communities, jointly, should
decide which approach is effective for them