Time certainly doesn’t stand still. Here we are almost at the end of November and I am sure you are all frantically getting ready for all the events that accompany the holiday season. Remember to include yourself in your planning…taking time for yourself and those that are special to you is so very important now more than ever!
The CTRA Board of Directors has had a very active summer and fall and we wanted to take the opportunity to share just a few of the projects that are keeping us busy. We are so very excited to let you know that Lauren Cripps and Glenn Skimming have been instrumental in getting the first Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Journal underway. A partnership with Sagamore Venture Publishing has been confirmed and a great deal of work has been done regarding process, format, content and cover. You will have noticed that the call for journal articles has gone out and the example of the cover was posted. We are proud to have a Journal that will be filled with Canadian content and there has already been a great response. There is still time for you to get your submission in before the November 30th deadline. So many people have been involved in the success of this project…we are sending a big thank you to all of you!
The Community of Practice groups have been meeting and looking at ways to promote discussion, best practice and education. Please watch for opportunities for collaboration during TR Month 2022. If you are interested in becoming involved in one of the COP groups or would like to learn more please visit the CTRA website (canadian-tr.org) and click on the CTRA COP heading for more information.
The CTRA Standards of Practice document has recently undergone a rigorous review process which included a literature review of other allied professions, regulated professional organizations outside of TR, minimum standards of education/curriculum and TR competency research thanks to the hard work of CTRA Board members and various professional groups. The main goal of the Therapeutic Recreation Standards of Practice is protection of the public. Other important benefits include adding consistency and rigor to our practice, profession, and curriculums. The document will also act to underpin federal legislation. The document will have a further review by the Provincial/Territorial Partners who are currently in the process of discussing and providing feedback. Once the review is completed an expert panel, with a combination of academic and professional members, will be created. A survey tool will also be created to rate each section of the document and provide feedback both Quantitative and Qualitative in nature. The data will be analyzed and a summary of feedback will provided to the BOD to inform next steps. The goal is to have a document to share with our membership in the spring of 2022.
Throughout the past 6 months there have also been ongoing discussions about:
- Implications for practice during the COVID-19 pandemic
- The CTRA Hardship Program
- The upcoming 2022 Virtual CTRA Conference
- Province specific issues
- And the multiple professional and academic requests for CTRA support that are received weekly
Planning is underway for BOD to have a 2 day virtual planning session in January to develop the strategic plan for the next 5-10 years and of course, resources will be coming out shortly to help you plan successful celebrations for TR Month in February.
As always, if you have questions, comments, suggestions please reach out and let us know.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to our profession of Therapeutic Recreation. Your continued energy and dedication, especially during the past 21 months is so very appreciated by your clients, their loved ones and this organization. Thank you all and stay safe!!