National Council For Therapeutic Recreation

Certification

845.639.1439
nctrc@nctrc.org
www.nctrc.org

Welcome to NCTRC e-News!

Season's Greetings from the NCTRC Board, Committees, and Staff!

NCTRC Going Green…

Like many of us in our personal lives, NCTRC has implemented many changes in its work environment to reduce unnecessary waste and preserve precious resources. Advancements to the NCTRC website have resulted in significant savings in terms of paper use, mailings, and check processing. The emailing of this newsletter alone saves 80 reams of paper in addition to reducing the associated pollution effects related to printing and postal delivery. In an effort to go one step further, NCTRC will no longer print and mail application packets to every CTRS for annual maintenance and recertification renewal. NCTRC records indicate that 60% of CTRSs renew their annual maintenance and recertification on-line via the NCTRC website. Beginning with the May 2010 renewal cycle, NCTRC will notify CTRSs of their pending renewal date by email or postcard. Printed application packets will be available only by request. It is expected that this decision will result in a decrease in paper applications and therefore, allow NCTRC to become a brighter shade of green. Please update your current contact information with NCTRC via the MY NCTRC LOGIN or by contacting NCTRC at 845-639-1439.

New Continuing Education Pre-Approval Process

The NCTRC Board of Directors approved a new pre-approval process for continuing education coursework intended to be used with CTRS Recertification. The Pre-Approval Review Process was developed to assist certificants in determining whether previously completed continuing education meets current recertification requirements prior to submitting a formal recertification application. This process will provide potential confirmation of continuing education to certificants who are not certain if previously completed continuing education will meet NCTRC recertification requirements. This process is available to all current CTRSs and can be utilized at any time during the five-year certification cycle. The Continuing Education Pre-Approval Review Process is not intended to replace the formal Recertification application process. The fee for the Pre-Approval Review is $35.00 per application submission and multiple course listings per application are permissible. Please contact NCTRC for additional information.

New Standard Change for New Applicants and Field Placement Supervisors

As of January 1, 2010, a CTRS field placement supervisor must possess the CTRS credential for at least one year prior to supervising interns. Applications postmarked after December 31, 2009 will be reviewed using this new field placement standard.

NCTRC Board of Directors Meeting in North Carolina

The NCTRC Board of Directors recently conducted its fall meeting in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. The NCTRC Board meets twice a year (April and November) to conduct its business and review current issues and strategic initiatives. The fall meeting was held October 9-11 in conjunction with the North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association annual conference. In recent years the NCTRC Board has used the fall meeting as an opportunity to connect with TR/RT students and local CTRSs. This year the Board hosted a refreshment reception for TR/RT students from the four North Carolina TR academic programs in attendance at the conference. NCTRC Board members attended a reception with the NCRTA Board of Directors and NCTRC staff presented an educational session at the conference. The Board made the decision to conduct its fall meeting in North Carolina to demonstrate support for North Carolina CTRSs and the NC RT licensure program.

Robinson elected “Chair-Elect” of the NCTRC Board of Directors

Debbie Robinson, MS, CTRS/L, was elected to the position of Chair-Elect of the NCTRC Board of Directors at the Board's fall meeting held in Atlantic Beach, NC on October 9-11. Robinson, who has served in the capacity of Vice Chair and a member of the Executive Committee during the past year, will assume the position of Chairperson of the NCTRC Board of Directors in April 2010. Robinson resides in New Hampshire and has held various positions within Therapeutic Recreation in a career that spans over 15 years. Robinson currently serves as the Director of Rehabilitation at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord, NH, providing direct administrative oversight for Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Music Therapy, Volunteer Services, Vocational Services and Language Access.

NCTRC Welcomes Three New Board Members

As a result of the recently conducted Board election, NCTRC is proud to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors. Dr. Ellen Broach, CTRS, Mr. Vincent Bonadies, CTRS, and Mr. Shay Dawson, CTRS will officially join the NCTRC Board in April 2010 and will each serve a three-year term from 2010-2013.

Ellen Broach, Ed.D., CTRS resides in Dauphin Island, Alabama. Ellen completed her BS in Leisure Studies with a Therapeutic Recreation emphasis and her MS in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of South Alabama. She received a Doctorate of Education in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Georgia. Ellen is responsible for teaching, research, and service in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Studies at the University of South Alabama. She is also director of the Therapeutic Recreation Master of Science program. More

Vincent Bonadies, MS, CTRS is a resident of Pearl River, New York. Vincent possesses a BS in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Montclair State University and a MS degree in Recreation and Leisure Services with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Vincent's professional role has included work as a practitioner for 29 years in mental health and long term care. He has also served as an adjunct professor for the past 14 years. More

Shay Dawson, MA, CTRS resides in Martinsville, Indiana. Shay earned his BS in Leisure Services with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation and his Master of Arts in Exercise, Leisure and Sport with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Kent State University. He is currently the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Bradford Woods, Indiana University 's Outdoor Center. More

If you or someone you know is interested in being considered for the NCTRC Board or a committee nomination, please contact the NCTRC Elections Committee via Bob Riley at (845) 639-1439 or briley@nctrc.org.

May Recertification Exam Option

NCTRC would like to remind you that if you are coming to the end of your five year recertification cycle you can take the NCTRC exam to meet the requirements for recertification. The May 2010 exam is the only exam available to meet the May cycle Recertification requirements. The registration deadline for the May 2010 exam is February 1, 2010. Visit the NCTRC website www.nctrc.org to access the exam registration form. From the home page, click on “exam” or use your log-in information to access the form. There are two options for submission. You can complete the registration form online and submit it with a credit card payment or print the registration form, fill it out, and mail it directly to NCTRC with a check or credit card number. The dates for the May 2010 exam are May 3-7, 2010.

Did you know ...

• You can still submit your November cycle recertification application until December 31, 2009 with an additional late fee of $50.00.
• The “CTRS” credential and “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist” designation are trademarked by the United States Trademark Office and by the Office of the Secretary of State in 48 states.
• NCTRC is a vital resource in the pursuit and establishment of state recognition and licensure. Please contact NCTRC if you are planning to pursue state licensure.

Please contact NCTRC at 845-639-1439 or nctrc@nctrc.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support of NCTRC and the CTRS credential.