CITY OF CLEARWATER THERAPEUTIC RECREATION STRATEGIC PLAN 2008-2018CU
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Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS
Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor
Therapeutic Recreation Strategic Plan
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
H. A Growing Need
III. The Framework for Therapeutic
Recreation
IV. Program Delivery Model
I* Appendix
A. Therapeutic Recreation Public
Meeting Notes
B. Surveys of current participants
C. Support Agencies Surveyed
D. Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
Report
CHAPTER I. Introduction
Since 2003, the City of Clearwater has
provided recreation opportunities that have
enriched the lives of individuals with
disabilities under the guidance of a Certified
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
The City of Clearwater's strong
commitment to residents with disabilities is
demonstrated in being the only municipality
with a CTRS on staff in North Pinellas
County.
Providing recreation services for people
with disabilities requires a continuum of
programs. People with disabilities have
different needs, depending on age, type of
disability, leisure interest, and skill. To
serve this wide range of needs, therapeutic
recreation services must be available in a
variety of settings. These include
therapeutic activities that are fully integrated
with existing recreation services, as well as
specialized programs that are specifically
designed to serve people with disabilities.
Currently, the City of Clearwater provides
therapeutic recreation programs and services
to individuals with various disabilities
through two service areas:
¦ Adapted Sports and Special Events
¦ Social Activities
Today, the Therapeutic Recreation Office is
located at the Long Center. The number of
additional programs and participants is
limited by availability of facility constraints
and existing programming at those facilities.
In May 2007, the City of Clearwater
Therapeutic Recreation Office began a
strategic planning process to assess
community needs for therapeutic recreation
services engaging residents and service
partners in the surrounding communities in
mapping a plan for the future.
The purpose of the Strategic Plan, Services
for Persons with Disabilities is to:
¦ Define both services and recreation
facilities needed to meet the needs of
individuals with a varying range of
disabilities.
¦ Define a model for future service
delivery.
¦ Provide a 10-year Strategic Plan to
guide the development of therapeutic
recreation programs, services, and
facilities.
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Program Summary
In January 2003 the City of Clearwater hired
Dawn Lewellyn, Certified Therapeutic
Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to be based at
the Long Center. Prior to arrival of the
CTRS the existing programs consisted of the
following:
¦ Adaptive Aquatic Team
¦ Adaptive Swim Lessons
¦ Arthritis Water Exercise
¦ Special Olympics Multi-sport
Training (we provide the facilities)
¦ Arts and Crafts Class for Upper
Pinellas Association of Retarded
Citizens (UPARC)
¦ Challenger Little League (co-sponsor
group)
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In June 2003, a Therapeutic Recreation
Needs Assessment was completed. The
needs assessment showed the need for
program development in the area of adults
with developmental disabilities, initial
programs were focused in that area. Since
the needs assessment completion in 2003,
programs for persons with disabilities have
flourished. In addition to our general
recreation programs we offer Therapeutic
Recreation programs that are taught at a
simple and slower pace for the most positive
and effective learning environment for the
participants. Programs currently offered
through the Therapeutic Recreation Services
in addition to the above are:
¦ Cooking
¦ Arts and Crafts
¦ Karate
¦ Adaptive Swim Team
¦ Fit Club (fitness program working on
health and nutrition and fun ways to
exercise and be healthy)
¦ Art Enrichment program with
UPARC
¦ Wheelchair Basketball
¦ Special Olympics: Golf, Basketball,
Swimming
¦ Social Outings
Therapeutic Recreation programs all have a
set of goals and objectives. Activities are
Strategically planned and geared toward the
ability of the participants. Inclusion is
encouraged, however findings from the
needs assessment showed that many
participants preferred not to be included in
the general recreation programs.
Many parents or guardians do not prefer
inclusion, they feel that their loved one
participating in activities with their peers
with similar challenges provides a more
supportive environment. Inclusion is not the
best situation for all, so the City of
Clearwater provides participation options.
Developing the Strategic Plan
Community residents, current program
participants, and community agencies were
surveyed again in 2007 to determine the
current and future needs for therapeutic
recreation and its focus on programming.
Six hundred surveys were distributed
through the Pinellas County Schools
Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
program, pertinent community agencies
pertaining to persons with disabilities,
current mailing list, Internet, and a public
meeting held on October 2, 2007. Nine-
percent of the surveys were returned. The
surveys included pre-paid postage for
recipient's convenience. The public meeting
was held to solicit a broader group of
residents and program participants to
contribute their ideas. The following were
the means of obtaining information for the
Strategic Plan.
¦ Therapeutic Recreation Public
Meeting October 2, 2007 (Appendix
A)
¦ Surveys of current participants
(Appendix B)
¦ Survey of twenty-five support
agencies in the immediate and
surrounding areas providing services
to persons with disabilities
(Appendix C)
¦ Analysis of current program areas
¦ Therapeutic Recreation consultant
from the University of Florida
(Appendix D)
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Needs Assessment
In 2003, the City of Clearwater's Office of
Therapeutic Services completed the first
citywide therapeutic recreation needs
assessment. Two hundred and fifty surveys
were distributed and forty-two percent were
returned. Assessment findings reflected the
following need for therapeutic recreation
services:
¦ Target age range: adults
¦ Target population: developmental
disabilities
¦ Needed programs: social activities,
arts & crafts, swimming, basketball,
bowling
¦ Top five municipalities represented:
Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Dunedin,
Largo, Pinellas County (cities noted
to identify users of services)
¦ Largest barrier: financial and time of
week for opportunity
In 2007, an updated needs assessment was
completed. The results area as follows:
¦ Target age range: youth, teens, and
31-40 years
¦ Target population: developmental,
physical, and emotional
¦ Needed programs: social activities,
aquatics, cultural arts, athletics, and
volunteer work.
¦ Top five municipalities represented:
Clearwater, Largo, Tarpon Springs,
Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor (cities
noted to identify users of services)
¦ Largest barrier: financial and
transportation.
Strategic Plan Report
This report describes the growing need for
services for persons with disabilities and
therapeutic recreation services. The plan
presents a vision, mission and goals to guide
the expansion of the City of Clearwater
therapeutic recreation services, programs,
and facilities to better meet these community
needs.
Therapeutic programs for people with
disabilities are presented with a focus on
universal design. Universal Design is
designing for a wide variety of users and
abilities at no additional cost to the project.
It allows the freedom to get more out of the
materials, resources, and implementation of
services. This model expands current
services to address the full range of
individuals with disabilities and therapeutic
recreation needs. The model also recognizes
the need to provide universal design
facilities and services in a variety of
locations for the convenience and benefit of
Clearwater residents. Current therapeutic
programming is provided at the Long Center
and Countryside Recreation complexes.
To implement the new model, the Strategic
Plan identifies strategies for reaching four
goals for therapeutic services. Action items
for completing each strategy are identified in
the plan. The key to the plan's success is
the support of the staff, management, and
the community.
Finally, investing in performance measures
will assist the City of Clearwater in
assessing the progress toward goals and the
impact on its residents. As these measures
are implemented, the Office of Therapeutic
Services will build a database of information
4
to guide future planning and provide
feedback on the success of each strategy.
CHAPTER Il. A Growing Need
In the City of Clearwater and across the
country, there is a growing need for
community therapeutic recreation services.
Federal Laws enacted over the last twenty
years, requires that all children have access
to public education and that people with
mental retardation move from institutional
living into the community. Also managed
healthcare has reduced patient services and
length of rehabilitation, while the Americans
with Disabilities Act heightened awareness
and specified the access requirements for
facilities, services, transportation, and
employment. The first two decades of the
new millennium will see doubling of the
nations older population as the baby boomer
generation ages.
•
In addition, advances in medical care enable
people to live longer and survive traumatic
injuries. Technology and accessibility
enable people to live independently. Public
schools now educate children with
disabilities alongside their non-disabled
peers. Employers make "reasonable
accommodations" to add people with
disabilities to their work force, and theaters,
ball parks, cruise ships, campsites and local
parks are accessible. These positive changes
have welcomed children, adults and elders
with disabilities into all aspects of society.
Community therapeutic recreation provides
an opportunity for people of all abilities to
increase understanding, improve health,
maintain wellness and independence, and
develop a stronger community by
to participating together.
Currently, the number of programs that can
be offered, and participants who can be
served by the City of Clearwater can be
increased tremendously with additional staff
training. However, the potential for growth
is limited by budgetary and facility
constraints. Several facts indicate the need
for additional services.
¦ According to 2007 American
Community Survey data, more than
16,666 Clearwater residents age 5
years and older have a disability.
Additionally, 1,228 of those 16,666
are between the ages of 5 and 15
years.
¦ In addition to the residents, we also
cater to our visitors needs for
recreation, in Clearwater.
¦ More than 50 million Americans
with disabilities 143% of our
population - are potential customers
for businesses of all types across the
United States.
¦ This group has $175 billion in
discretionary spending power,
according to the U.S. Department of
Labor. That figure is more than twice
the spending power of American
5
teenagers and almost 18 times the
spending power of the American
"tweens" market.
¦ Accessibility attracts not only people
with disabilities but also their
families and friends. Like others,
these customers often visit stores,
restaurants, movie theaters, and other
businesses accompanied by family or
friends. This expands the potential
market exponentially.
¦ This market is growing fast. By the
year 2030, 71.5 million Baby
Boomers will be over the age of 65
and demanding products, services,
and environments that address their
age-related physical changes.
CHAPTER III. The Framework for
Therapeutic Recreation
The community, residents, agencies and
representatives' input contributed to the
future vision of Clearwater's Therapeutic
Recreation Office. These collaborative
efforts resulted in the City of Clearwater
Therapeutic Recreation Services vision,
mission, goals and strategies development.
These components provide the framework
for enhancing therapeutic recreation services
for our community.
The components of the framework are:
¦ A vision for facilities and services
¦ The mission of the City's therapeutic
recreation services
¦ Goals that define the parameters for
the future of services and facilities
¦ Strategies to define how the goals
will be achieve its vision, mission
and goals
¦ Performance measures that will be
utilized to measure the progress and
success in achieving the vision
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,the Visio4
The vision reflects what the strategic plan
aspires to create. It describes the ideal future
for Therapeutic Recreation Services, which
is supported by the City of Clearwater
programs, services, and facilities. The
vision echoes the overall vision for the City
of Clearwater and its services.
The City of Clearwater vision statement:
Sparkling Clearwater is a uniquely
beautiful and vibrant waterfront
community that is socially and
economically diverse, that reinvests in
itself, and is a wonderful place to live,
learn, work and play.
The Therapeutic Recreation Services vision
for the future is:
A community of people connected by
play, opportunity, and life pursuits.
The vision reflects Clearwater's diverse
population with multiple communities.
These communities provide the foundation
for peoples purpose, belonging, and identity.
Communities provide acceptance, support,
and commonality. For a community to
thrive, people must feel connected to others
in positive ways. This is especially
important to people with disabilities, which
may feel isolated or excluded due to
attitudinal and architectural barriers.
Therapeutic Recreation can foster
community opportunities for connection.
Recreation provides an opportunity to
experience play - an essential human
activity. Therapeutic recreation assists
individuals in identifying ways to participate
in their favorite activities and new ones
while exploring the needs for adaptations.
Recreation also promotes wellness, physical,
mental, and emotional well being for all
participants regardless of ability. Recreation
is a universal design component. Through
recreation, people with disabilities have the
opportunity to follow their life's pursuits
without barriers.
.owe Missio4
The mission describes the focus of the
City's therapeutic recreation services,
programs, and facilities.
The mission is:
To provide a continuum of services to
improve the quality of life, through
specialized programs and inclusive
recreation
The mission reflects the need to expand to
all facilities and the range of services to
better serve the varied needs, abilities, and
interests of persons with disabilities. The
mission incorporates the Parks and
Recreation department mission and prove to
be an enhancement to the purpose.
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Goals and Strategies
Four goals were developed during the
strategic planning process. These goals
describe how the City's therapeutic
recreation services will strive to enhance the
lives of persons with disabilities. Strategies,
services and facilities are focused toward
achieving these goals and improving the
lives of Clearwater members and visitors
with disabilities. The goals are:
Performance Measure: Completed Annual
Accessibility Plan.
Goal 2: Enhance Programming
Socializing, social acceptance, health and
wellness enhance personal enjoyment and
satisfaction with life and their community.
The expansion of program opportunities for
persons with disabilities allows them to
become an active part of the community.
Goal 1: Increase Accessibility Strategy: Expand specialized and inclusion
Increasing accessibility promotes integration programs for persons with disabilities.
of people with disabilities in community 2.1 Seek grants accessible to public
activities. Allowing people and families to
engage in a larger, lively community and be agencies
contributors to ones environment.
2.2 Work collaboratively with Co-sponsor
Strategy: Ensure the needs of persons with groups in offering services
disabilities are considered in all City and
2.3 Collaborate with City divisions for
neighborhood planning efforts. additional opportunities
1.1 Advocate that Universal Design be a. Cultural Affairs
implemented into all new construction b. Office on Aging
and improvement projects. c. Special Events
a. Playgrounds - 60% accessible d. Volunteer Department
play components, routes, surfaces
4 Enhance the collaboration with the
2
b. Recreation Facilities .
Clearwater Visitors Bureau Sports
c. Athletic Complexes
Secure funding for synthetic field
for events and venues
Commission
at Long Center incorporating persons with disabilities
1.2 Improve Beach Access 2.5 Establish a Leisure Buddies Program
a. Points of access a. Promotes inclusion in general
b. Beach wheelchairs programming
c. Mobi mats b. Utilizes less staff time with the
program
1.3 5% of money generated from illegal c. Develop curriculum for youth and
handicap parking allocated to an adults
account that can be accessed for d. Launch program through schools
adaptive equipment and services (i.e. and area agencies
interpreters, additional staff for
participation, sport equipment, hand 2.6 Enhance development of programs for
cycles) persons with developmental disabilities
a. Summer camp
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• b. Aquatics
c. Social Activities
d. Leisure counseling program
2.7 Development of programs for persons
with physical disabilities
a. Paralympic sport training
b. Aquatics
c. Summer Camp
d. Leisure counseling program
Performance Measure: Completed Annual
Programming Plan.
Goal 3: Public Awareness and Marketing
To develop and implement tools for external
communication and raise the awareness of
Clearwater's Therapeutic Recreation
program in the community, through diverse
methods.
Strategy: Develop Annual Public
Awareness plan to include:
3.1 Increase awareness of Therapeutic
Recreation in the community to other
sectors and outside agencies
a. Therapy Centers
b. Hospitals
c. Prosthetic Manufacturers
d. Support Groups
e. Parent Groups
3.2 Ensure current marketing methods are
meet ADA standards in a variety of
formats
a. FITS
b. Newsletters
c. Web
d. TV
e. PIMS
f. List Serve
g. Print Media (Braille, large Print)
•
3.3 Promote communication among local
and county agencies
a. Attend two local support group/
agency meetings a month
b. Develop Recreation and Leisure
Resource Directory
3.4 Assess current trends and methods to
develop marketing plan
Performance Measure: Completed Annual
Public Awareness Plan.
Goal 4: Expanded Advocacy and
Training
Expansion of training opportunities provides
the foundation for success for therapeutic
recreation and inclusion services. The City
of Clearwater's commitment to persons with
disabilities starts with the foundation of its
stafl, support agencies, and participants.
Strategy: Enhance inclusion in existing
Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood
Services, while enhancing staffing
capabilities to deliver quality services for
people with disabilities.
4.1 Coordinate ADA and sensitivity
Trainings required bi-annually
a. Staff
b. User Groups
c. Co-sponsor agencies
d. Contractors
e. Component for apprentice
program
4.2 Develop Inclusion Education Seminars
a. Parents
b. Participants
c. Schools
d. Volunteers
4.3 Establish a position on the Parks and
Recreation Community Advisory
Committee
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4.4 Increase Volunteers for Therapeutic
Programs
a. Adapted trainings for persons
with disabilities to be volunteers
b. Collaborate with Parks and
Recreation Volunteer
Coordinator
c. Establish Volunteer positions that
provide job skill opportunities
Performance Measure: Completed Annual
Advocacy and Training Plan.
A quarterly report will also be distributed to
the Director of Parks and Recreation to
follow the progress of the plan, throughout
the year and to allow for adjustments.
Chapter IV Program Delivery Model
To provide a continuum of programs
established in the Therapeutic Recreation
mission statement, a new model is required
to fully address the therapeutic recreation
needs of Clearwater residents and visitors.
This new model identifies programs, service
needs, and the location for the convenience
and benefit of the participants. The
opportunity to enhance the services and
facilities and collaborating with community
partners, the City of Clearwater will be well
positioned to serve the varied needs of the
expanding Clearwater population.
Program Needs
During the Strategic plan process, needs for
programs and services were identified.
Services for people with disabilities will be
provided by the Therapeutic Recreation
office, City of Clearwater Parks and
Recreation staff and partner agencies:
¦ Programs
o Aquatics
o Socialization
o Cultural Arts
o Health/ fitness/ sports
o Employment-related skills
The programs would be offered through
contract instructors and partnering agencies
no additional funding from the city, only
space utilization and registration processing.
This allows under utilized spaces to flourish
while providing a revenue source without
the cost of additional staff.
¦ Services
o Transition services for
persons leaving hospitals,
schools, and other recreation
programs
o Inclusion Education
Components
o Leisure Buddy Program
o Information and referral
o Volunteer program
The services recommended will not require
any additional funding from the city.
Transitioning services will be a matter of
providing information to recommended
agencies electronically. The inclusion
Education Component, Leisure buddy
program, Information referrals, and
volunteer program will all be done by
current CTRS and with partnering agencies.
This will only require space to conduct these
opportunities, with the resources already
secured. Print materials will be the only
expense, no additional staff will be required.
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Program Locations
Multiple program locations are needed to
achieve the City's therapeutic recreation
services mission and expand services to
individuals with disabilities. To provide a
continuum of services, a variety of facilities
and locations are required. The new service
delivery model recommends utilization of
each of the seven community recreation
facilities and library branches. Facility use
will be utilized to its full benefit and
capacity.
This service delivery model will provide the
following benefit:
¦ Increase the availability of
therapeutic recreation services
throughout the community
¦ Provide flexibility to serve emerging
community needs.
¦ Maximize facility and staff
effectiveness
Community Facilities
Community facilities currently serve the
general community and minimally integrate
people with disabilities into the community
recreation activities. At the heart of the
Strategic Plan, is the movement for
integration of people with disabilities into
multi-service community center programs.
The certified therapeutic recreation
specialist will collaborate with existing
program sites and staff to ensure that people
with disabilities are appropriately included
in all activities. Specialized recreation
activities and support groups may be offered
to meet the needs of people with disabilities
where the demand exists.
Volunteers will be trained and available to
assist participants with disabilities, as
requested. Programs offered by recreation
facilities that will serve people with
disabilities may include:
¦ Inclusive recreation programs
¦ Sports tournaments
¦ Sports clinics, athletic development
and training for coaches and officials
¦ After-school recreation programs
¦ Cultural art programs
¦ Community integration outings
¦ Drop-in participation
¦ Recreation and fitness classes
¦ Social programs
¦ Special events and holiday events
¦ Youth programs during school
holidays and vacations
¦ Teen programs
¦ Volunteer programs
¦ Internship opportunities
¦ Information and referral service
Partnerships
Collaboration with outside agencies has
proven to be essential in providing
therapeutic recreation opportunities. These
partnerships have included contributions of
equipment, staff training, transportation, and
program opportunities. Partnering will
continue to be a driving force for the
successful implementation of the Strategic
Plan. To implement the Plan, the following
types of partnerships will be expanded and
new areas for collaboration will be pursued:
¦ Schools
¦ Government Agencies
¦ Community-based organizations
¦ Colleges and universities
¦ City of Clearwater departments
¦ Medical community
¦ Small businesses and corporations
•
"Make a Difference"
Once upon a time there was a wise man
who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking
on the beach before he began his work. .
One day he was walking along the shore.
As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the
young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something
and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What
are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up and the
tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that
there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it.
You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said-
"It made a difference for that one."
is
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Clearwater Appendix A
U
packs & Recreation Department
• City of Clearwater - Therapeutic Recreation
Public Comment Session
October 2, 2007
SWOC Analysis - Public Input
Strengths (Internal)
• The City of Clearwater is the only upper Pinellas city with a Certified
Recreation Therapist on staff.
• Many accessible recreation facilities available except during summer camp
(June - August).
• A variety of programs are offered for ages 20 and older.
• The Long Center is co-located with LIPARC.
• Strong Challenger Softball team.
• Collaboration with the Threshers Organization.
• Draws participants from other cities.
• Program expanding to include wheelchair sports.
Weaknesses (Internal)
• Marketing of program to stakeholder community (i.e. organized groups,
schools, group homes.)
• In-person registration process.
• Limited personal discretionary dollars of group home residents ($93 monthly).
• Inconsistent participation for new programs.
• Lack of recreation facility space during summer camp months.
• Limited budget.
Opportunities (External)
• Expand team sport opportunities for residents age 22 and older (i.e. extension
of Challenger Softball, etc.)
• Create sponsorship opportunities for specific programs or needs (i.e.
approach the Optimist Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Salvation Army).
• Increase collaboration with UPARC for wheelchair transportation at
reasonable cost.
• Increase collaboration with Pinellas ESE teachers, Paul B. Stephen's teacher
and parent associations.
• Increase collaboration with other municipalities that don't have certified
therapists on staff.
• Advertisement or article in Parent Connection newsletter.
• Expand program offerings to include: beeper ball (Dunedin program may be
ending).
• Promote programs to existing groups (i.e. Thursday night bowling group, etc.)
• Create accessible playing field at the Long Center (i.e. Miracle Field)
• Allow online or mail-in registration for programs.
•
Page 1 of 2
• Establish a not-for-profit foundation similar to Miami-Dade Parks and .
Recreation Department's "Leisure Access Foundation".
www.miamidade.gov/parks/fun-leisure-access-foundation.asp
• Utilize Certified Recreation Therapist's knowledge and expertise in the
community by offering "Sensitivity Classes" to schools, civic groups, etc.
• Utilize Certified Recreation Therapist's knowledge and expertise by offering
Continuing Education classes to other CRT's. certified or licensed
professionals.
• Create a community online calendar of programs in upper Pinellas.
Challenges (External)
• Wheelchair accessible transportation
• No community calendar of programs in upper Pinellas.
• Communication within group homes of Clearwater's program.
• Funding for programs.
E
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Page 2 of 2
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• (Appendix B - 2)
Data is limited to the household population and excludes the population living in
institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters.
2005 American Community Survey
Estimate Margin of Error
Population 5 years and over 100,356 +/-2,263
with a disability 16,666 +/-1,208
Population 5 to 15 years 12,813 +1-1,151
with a disability 1,228 +/-456
Population 16 to 64 years 67,431 +/-1,858
with a disability 8,152 +/-824
Population 65 years and over 20,112 +/-998
with a disability 7,286 +/-700
The current number of students Pinellas County schools serves with a disability is
is estimated at 16,730. Due to school choice and confidentiality we are unable to secure the
number in which participate and reside within the City of Clearwater city limits.
However we do have an exceptional education center in the City of Clearwater at Paul B.
Stephens.
0
J)pendix C
Abilities of Florida
ACA Camps
All Children on East Bay
Alternative Solutions - Therapy Center for Children with Austism, Inc
Ballet & Tap for Special Kids Dance
Bardmoor Branch YMCA
Baseball for Upper Pinellas (for Boys & Girls with Disablities)
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Center for Independent Living
Cheerleading- for Boys & Girls (Ages 11 to 19)
Clearwater Family Branch YMCA
Clearwater Marine Science Center
Creative Clay
Cystic Fibrosis Support Group
Deaf Service Center
Down Syndrome Support of
Family Network on Disabilities
FCC - Family Care Council - Suncoast Region of Pinellas & Pasco Co.)
FDLRS Gulfcoast (Fiddlers)
Florida Inclusion
Golf at Saint Andrews (Dunedin)
Greater Palm Harbor Branch YMCA
Greater Ridgecrest Branch YMCA
• Gulf Coast Chapter Austism Society
Healing th Generations, Inc
High Point Family Branch YMCA
HYA (Handicapped Young Adults) Ages 22 & up
James P. Gills Family Branch YMCA
Lighthouse of Pinellasat Watson Center (Formerly: Pinellas Center for the Visually Impaired)
McKay Scholarship
MDA - Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.
North Beaches Branch YMCA
North Pinellas Branch YMCA
Oldsmar Youth Soccer for Special Needs
On Our Own
Parent Connection
Paul B. Stephens open House
Power Soccer of Tampa
Reach Out
SailAbility Greater Tampa Bay Inc.
Special Olympics of Pinellas
Spina Bifida Coalition of Florida
St. Paul United Methodist Church
STAND (Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities, Inc.)
Suncoast Epilespy Assocation - Parents & Children
Tampa Bay Kids Net - Your Online Family Resource
TOPP Soccer
Tourette'S Syndrome Support
United Cerebral Palsy
Up with Down's of Pinellas Support Group
UPARC - Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Children
Williams Syndrome
Woodlawn Community Academy (Private School) •
YMCA-MASH (Mainstreamed Adults Sharing Hope)
YMCA Association
YMCA of the Suncoast
C]
•
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant Report
Introduction:
On October 29, 2007 1 arrived at the Long Center in Clearwater at 7:OOAM to consult on
the overall therapeutic recreation program at the facility and for the City of Clearwater. I
left at 11:00 AM. I was given a tour of the facility by Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS. During this
time we also met with Kevin Dunbar, who is the Parks & Recreation Department Director
and Mike Lockwood, who is the Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent. I was
also given several documents to include a comprehensive survey by residents of
Clearwater concerning leisure services for persons with disabilities and the current
program opportunities for this section.
Evaluation:
Overall, I was impressed with the nature and scope of the therapeutic recreation program
for the City of Clearwater. I believe that Dawn Lewellyn is very professional and
knowledgeable and capable of conducting a high quality program. Dawn has maintained
her certification in therapeutic recreation through the Council for Therapeutic Recreation.
Of course, all professionals have the ethical mandate for Continuing Education and Ms.
40 Lewellyn consistently attends professional meetings in therapeutic recreation and is
involved in many of the professional activities of this field on a regular basis.
Consequently, she not only has earned the respect of her fellow colleagues but I also
respect her as a professional and would trust her judgment in professional matters 100%.
It is a mark in her favor that she went through the trouble of employing me as a consultant
in order to learn if there was any way her program could be improved upon. Now that is
my challenge to look at a high quality program and make suggestions.
Program Evaluation: First of all, the existing program includes a wide variety of program
offerings including sports (Special Olympics, Senior Games, NWBA Regional
Tournament, USTA Wheelchair Tennis, a Whcelchair Tennis Program, Challenger Little
League, TOPS Soccer and Fishing tournaments), exercise and therapy (several water
exercise programs, Fit Club), Camping opportunities ( Summer Camp), leisure education
(Art enrichment [UPARC], cooking and craft classes, private swim lessons) social
programs (Ritz social group) and community outreach ( Beach access, ADA Sensitivity
training, camp staff training and off-site presentations).
Facility Evaluation: The Long Center in Clearwater where the Therapeutic Recreation
and Adapted Program is located is a modern and adequate facility which includes a large
Olympic pool and smaller exercise pool, a fitness center, a gymnasium, large multipurpose
field and an accessible children's playground. At the same time, there are many resources
available within the scope of a community parks and recreation program.
2
Major Recommendations: 0
I have several recommendations to make and I have divided them into three main groups.
It should be noted that these are just recommendations. I fully understand how things may
change according to administrative structure changes, agency philosophy and strategic
planning and of course, budgetary considerations. My recommendations are based on not
only my experience but what I believe that therapeutic recreation profession also
promulgates. My commitment to you does not end with these recommendations. I will
send some additional materials at a later date without any additional cost. I would like to
visit again in two months at no additional cost to you for a follow-up visit. At that time, I
would reevaluate the program and make further recommendations and provide additional
materials. That is certainly up to you and your staff whether to consider that option.
Program Planning - My first recommendation is that the therapeutic recreation program
makes a determination of which program components have priority for your agency.
These arc my suggestions:
Social skills instruction, leisure education programming [includes leisure awareness,
leisure skill development and self-determination] and health education [e.g. smoking
cessation]. For example, the existing program has more sports offerings than all other
categories. I do not recommend eliminating any existing sport program. However, I believe
there should be more social programs offered. 0
A monthly dance/social for persons with intellectual disabilities. This could be co-
sponsored by local Best Buddies Chapters in the Clearwater area USF and
University of Tampa along with Pinellas County and several high schools have
chapters.
I also recommend an annual or semi-annual picnic for persons with Alzheimer's
and their caretakers. This event could be co-sponsored by Aging office within the
Clearwater Parks and Recreation Area and the Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas
and the local Alzheimer's Association.
I also recommend some additional leisure education program components
Develop and offer a community leisure resource directory for persons with
disabilities which would feature leisure and recreation programs throughout the
Tampa Bay area which could include infon-nation on access, public transportation
to such, senior or disability discounts, location, hours, special leisure skills needed,
equipment or special materials.
• Develop a leisure counseling program for persons with disabilities on an as needed
(PRN) basis. For example, the TR Department could set aside certain times (once
of twice a month) that the CTRS would be available for anyone with a disability or
even family members of persons with disabilities, to be able to discuss any leisure
problems they have, such as not knowing what to do in their free time to inquiring
about the nature and scope of leisure activities which they may have an expressed
interest in.
Offer an annual or semi-annual Leisure Day for persons with disabilities to be able
to meet instructors and leaders of activity programs offered by the City (all
programs). Outside vendors or programs may be included if you open it up to the
general public and you may even charge a nominal fee for set-up and provide a free
lunch or snack. [I helped establish a Summer Activities Fair which we first did at
the local hall and then we switched to local schools it included all kinds of
camps and program offerings including, sport clinics, dance, cheerleading and
gymnastics. It was very successful. Free to the public, a nominal charge $25+
depending to vendors].
I also recommend a few more expressive art programs. The expressive arts (art, music,
dance, drama and literary activities) cover many key leisure and personal needs for persons
with disabilities including social, emotional and physical. Also, the expressive arts, like
leisure in general, offers so many program venues.
• Develop an actors' guild or troupe for persons with disabilities. The purpose would
be to initially develop appropriate social and communication skills, then acting
skills. Later, the program could offer theatrical presentations to the general public.
• Offer a class in how to write your own autobiography. This is a very popular
activity amongst older adults.
• Offer a Bibliotherapy program for adults. As an Appendix to this report I have
included information regarding my bibliotherapy program. In addition, I am willing
to come to the Long Center to demonstrate and conduct this program for you at no
charge in the near future.
•
4
Formal Documents: I also recommend that the TR department develop a policy procedure
manual to include but not be limited to:
Administrator's Sign Off (the first page which indicates that the administrator has
reviewed and accepted it and signs and dates this annually).
Table of Organization (Agency and TR Department)
Personnel Policies -sick leave, vacation, payroll, fringe,
Job Description - certifications (copies of current TR staff resumes)
Transportation requests, supplies, food, room reservations, inter-office memos
Forms: time off, professional leave
TR Code of Ethics [included in this mailing]
Incident reports policies: Accidents, Fire/disaster preparedness
Training/Professional Leave Policy
Client Records
Specific Program Plans
[These are blank forms - except resumes]
The Issue of Assessment
Individual assessment as practiced by CTRS's in medical settings is appropriate for just
those settings. I do not recommend any standard or regular assessment of community
members with or without disabilities. It is only appropriate if the community member
requests it and even then it would depend on the nature of the activity being offered. The
exception is that if you do choose to establish a leisure counseling program, you may want
to administer a leisure interest inventory and even that should be thought about. Again, I
am willing to assist you in developing such a program in the near fixture at no expense to
you.
Other Recommendations:
In today's times, all asocial and community agencies should expect to be fiscally
challenged. For this matter, 1 suggest an aggressive plan to secure outside funding in the
form of grants, contract or donations from various entities for either enhancing existing
programs or creating new ones. I will provide a written list of possible granting agencies
for you by Jan. 18, 2008.
I recommend that the agency continue to support the TR staff attendance to at least three
state or national conferences in TR per year. I also encourage the agency to provide
adequate budget support for the purchase of supplies and equipment. Of course, I believe
in fiscal responsibility and the TR staff should always be able to justify whatever
purchases they make. I would also be willing to give them the freedom to purchase any
items as long as there was a good rationale for service to community members connected
to the purchases. I have discussed some possibilities with her and will continue to aid her
in this endeavor. I am also aware of Ms. Lewellyn's attempts to secure full-time interns in
TR for her program and encourage her to continue to do that. 0
On a minor note, although I was impressed with the Long Center facility, I would like to
provide some constructive criticism regarding traffic flow. Older adults make up a sizable
portion of your clientele. During my visit I noticed that several older members with gait
difficulties had to walk around the facility to get into the pool, bypassing an entrance close
to the parking area. I would suggest either providing more direct access into the pool or at
least provide benching along the route to the entrance.
I commend the agency for the effort to bring in a TR consultant and can assure the agency
that my commitment to it will last beyond this initial consult. This is especially important
since TR is a viable profession but the typical TR operation involves one or two people
within the agency so it limits personnel and program evaluation and opportunities for
mentoring. Consulting provides the professional TR staff with unique opportunities to
grow and improve.
Materials Provided:
• A Chapter on Bibliotherapy by Beland published Trends in Therapeutic Recreation
by NRPA (2004)
• An annotated bibliography of children's books used in this program.
0 • NTRS Code of Ethics
For any clarification or comments, I can be reached at 352-392-4042 x1222 or my email
rbeland@hhp.ufl.edu.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Beland, PhD
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
2007 AGHE Distinguished Teacher
December 7, 2007
0