American Therapeutic Recreation Association

American Therapeutic Recreation Association ATRA is the largest national membership organization representing the interests and needs of recreational therapists.

Recreational therapists are healthcare providers who use recreational therapy interventions for improved functioning of individuals with illness or disabling conditions. ATRA, was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1984 as a non-profit, grassroots organization in response to growing concern about the dramatic changes in the healthcare industry.

2026 MARTHA JUDGE SCHOLARSHIP! 📣Have you started your application yet? It's time to apply for the 2026 Martha Judge Scho...
04/09/2026

2026 MARTHA JUDGE SCHOLARSHIP! 📣

Have you started your application yet? It's time to apply for the 2026 Martha Judge Scholarship for First-Time Conference Attendees! Professional members of ATRA who have never attended an ATRA Annual Conference (or who have not attended an in-person ATRA conference in over five years) are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Martha Judge Scholarship, which offers financial support for recreational therapy professionals to attend the ATRA Annual Conference. 🧡

Attending an ATRA annual event is an incredible opportunity and SoCal (Brea, CA, October 17-19, 2026) is going to be unforgettable! Applications are due by May 1st. Review all the details and apply now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

2026 PEG CONNOLLY SCHOLARSHIP! 📣Have you started your application yet? It's time to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scho...
04/09/2026

2026 PEG CONNOLLY SCHOLARSHIP! 📣

Have you started your application yet? It's time to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scholarship for Recreational Therapy Students! Undergraduate, graduate and PhD student members of ATRA are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scholarship, which offers financial support for recreational therapy students to attend the ATRA Annual Conference. 🧡

Attending an ATRA annual event is an incredible opportunity and SoCal (Brea, CA, October 17-19, 2026) is going to be unforgettable! Applications are due by May 15th. Review all the details and apply now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣Two week submission deadline reminder! ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On ...
04/08/2026

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣

Two week submission deadline reminder! ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 2026 ATRA SoCal Conference (October 17-19, 2026). This year’s theme, The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through Recreational Therapy, centers on belonging, connection, and the systems that shape our work.

New format! The 2026 Call for Presentations has been updated to a single, universal submission process that includes Research Institute Oral and Poster sessions as well as new and exciting speaker opportunities beyond traditional concurrent sessions.

Proposals are due by April 23, 2026. Learn more and start your proposal now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

MARCH ATRA ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣In March, ATRA endorsed seven Sign On Letters and attended three Task Force meetings. ATRA’...
04/07/2026

MARCH ATRA ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣

In March, ATRA endorsed seven Sign On Letters and attended three Task Force meetings. ATRA’s Director of Advocacy & Legislative Affairs, Dr. Dawn DeVries, presented the opening general session at the Recreation Therapists of Indiana conference on the federal public policy scene and what’s happening nationally.

Action Alert: Section 504 of the Rehab Act – Please take action if you live in Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, or Texas.

Read the full March 2026 Advocacy & Legislative Update and learn more about the Action Alert at the link below. Be Proactive. Stay Informed. YOU are ATRA and this is ! 👏

https://www.atra-online.com/advocacy

NEW ATRA PODCAST EPISODE! 📣In this episode of Our Stories: Connecting Beyond the Story, we sit down with Vicky Pitner, a...
04/06/2026

NEW ATRA PODCAST EPISODE! 📣

In this episode of Our Stories: Connecting Beyond the Story, we sit down with Vicky Pitner, a seasoned CTRS and dementia support coach, to discuss a paradigm shift in how we support families living with memory loss. Drawing from over four decades of experience and her own personal history, Vicki introduces her LOVE Approach —a humanistic model that moves beyond the clinical "caregiver" label to focus on the health of the entire family ecosystem. Whether you are a practitioner looking to deepen your clinical practice or a family member seeking a more hopeful path forward, this episode offers a heartfelt and practical guide to finding meaningful connection in the midst of dementia.

You can earn CEUs by listening to this episode! Don't have Spotify? No problem—you can listen for free on our learning platform. Start listening now at the link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/podcast

CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS! 📣In case you missed it! The ATRA SoCal (October 17-19, 2026) Call for Presentations is a si...
04/01/2026

CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS! 📣

In case you missed it! The ATRA SoCal (October 17-19, 2026) Call for Presentations is a single, universal submission process that includes Research Institute Oral and Poster sessions. Research Institute proposals are due by April 23rd, 2026. Learn more and start your proposal now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

WE'RE HIRING! JOIN OUR TEAM! 📣ATRA is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and mission-driven professional to se...
03/30/2026

WE'RE HIRING! JOIN OUR TEAM! 📣

ATRA is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and mission-driven professional to serve as our Administrative and Engagement Coordinator. This is a remote position with limited travel. Know someone who'd be great in this role? Please send this post their way! 🧡

Screening of applications begins March 30, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The preferred start date is May 1, 2026. Learn more and apply now at the link below. 👏

https://www.atra-online.com/staff

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WSTRA! 📣Registration is now open for Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association's upc...
03/29/2026

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WSTRA! 📣

Registration is now open for Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association's upcoming in-person conference, April 24, 2026, in Tacoma, WA. Learn more and register now at the link below. 🧡

https://www.pathlms.com/atra/courses/119851

JOIN US ON THURSDAY 4/2! 📣New to ATRA? We'd love to meet you! Not new but want an update on your ATRA benefits? We'd lov...
03/27/2026

JOIN US ON THURSDAY 4/2! 📣

New to ATRA? We'd love to meet you! Not new but want an update on your ATRA benefits? We'd love to say hello! You're invited to join Brent and Dyann on Zoom for ATRA New Member Class! They'll review the benefits and resources that accompany your ATRA membership, answer any questions you may have, and connect you with other members and/or opportunities! 🧡

New Member Class takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30PM ET on Zoom. We hope to see you on Thursday, April 2nd. We're excited to connect with you. 🫶

Please visit the link below for the Zoom link and details! ⬇️

https://www.atra-online.com/live-events

BETTER HEALTH THROUGH CONNECTION 📣March 26th is International Social Prescribing Day! ATRA is celebrating recreational t...
03/26/2026

BETTER HEALTH THROUGH CONNECTION 📣

March 26th is International Social Prescribing Day! ATRA is celebrating recreational therapy's essential role in fostering social connection in our healthcare systems and communities.

Recreational therapists are leaders in social connectedness and the preferred provider for activity-based social and relational interventions aimed at reducing loneliness. Recreational therapists turn loose ideas about belonging into structured, evidence-informed experiences that engage and empower. Through recreational therapy, participants experience connection, belonging, meaning, purpose, discovery, joy, and flow.

A very special thank you to ATRA's Social Prescribing Task Force. Learn more about social prescribing and view ATRA's Position Statement at the link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/social-prescribing

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 202...
03/25/2026

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣

ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 2026 ATRA SoCal Conference (October 17-19, 2026). This year’s theme, The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through Recreational Therapy, centers on belonging, connection, and the systems that shape our work.

New format! The 2026 Call for Presentations has been updated to a single, universal submission process that includes Research Institute Oral and Poster sessions as well as new and exciting speaker opportunities beyond traditional concurrent sessions.

Proposals are due by April 23, 2026. Learn more and start your proposal now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

ATRA TOWN HALL 4/1! 📣Interested in serving on ATRA's Board of Directors? Join us for a live Q&A Zoom session on Wednesda...
03/24/2026

ATRA TOWN HALL 4/1! 📣

Interested in serving on ATRA's Board of Directors? Join us for a live Q&A Zoom session on Wednesday, April 1st at 6:30 PM Eastern to learn more about the open Board positions and the nominations process! Zoom is available at link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/live-events

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