POWER OF PLAY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
On-Demand
The Power of Play live sessions may be over, but we're still going strong with all sessions available on-demand! Register today and soon you will receive the links you need to learn the best practices in inclusion, adaptation and play from experts across the country straight from your living room.
ALL ABOUT POP
In 2020, we have all been forced to adapt personally, professionally, and socially. But two facts remain:
- Social inclusion for children with disabilities remains a vital priority and function that we must work to make happen
- Those practicing inclusion have been adapting successfully for years and they aren't stopping now!
Power of Play aims to provide youth-serving organizations with the framework, training, and resources they need to become fully inclusive and serve ALL children in their communities.
Who is the Conference for?
- Recreation professionals
- Disability/inclusion advocates
- Therapeutic practitioners (OT, PT, etc.)
- Educators & students
- Community program administrators
- Anyone with a desire to ensure no child sits on the sidelines
What you can expect
- Breakout sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Keynote presentations by leading inclusion experts
- Industry updates and best-practices
- Fun, fun, and more fun!
ON-DEMAND SESSIONS
Here's what you will have access to when you register. Sessions are organized by coinciding Standard of Inclusive Recreation strand and will be available soon. Click on the '+' to read a description for each session.
Standards Overview
Participants will dive into the Standards for Inclusive Recreation Programs and unpack the implementation criteria & process for pursuing Accreditation. Interactive small groups will analyze standards alignment examples to discuss how programs can enhance their services to promote best inclusionary practices across all settings. Participants will engage in practice assessments to measuring readiness for accreditation and inform program planning. Reflection questions and discussion points will help participants apply practical strategies for building friendships, using positive behavior supports, meeting diverse needs, and serving families of students with disabilities at all levels of an organization.
Standards Strand: All; Level: All
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Kloo, PhD is National Inclusion Project’s Director of Inclusive Recreation Standards and Accreditation. She is an educator, interventionist, and developmental specialist with over 20 years of experience teaching children of all ages and abilities. She is a frequent presenter, a widely published author, and consultant to research institutions, educational organizations, and universities. Amanda is also an adaptive fitness coach and athlete with cerebral palsy who provides inclusive play and exercise experiences to children and adults with exceptional needs. She is passionate about all things inclusion and the power of play.
Standards Strand: Administration
Do you want to create an inclusive atmosphere although unsure where to start? Join us as we discuss the tips and tricks of creating a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities in your programs. Topics include marketing material, welcoming language, and steps to create a formal process for your organization.
Standards Strand: Administration; Level: Beginner
Presenters:
Felicia Barnhart is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program, and has worked in a community setting with individuals with disabilities for over 22 years. Felicia has worked with people with a wide range of disabilities and ages helping enhance skills through Sports, Fitness & Aquatics; Outdoor Adventure; Social Enrichment; Community Integration; and Arts & Culture. She served as the Inclusion Coordinator for the City for over 12 years, assisting persons with disabilities become involved in general recreation programs. She currently serves as the program supervisor.
Sarah Braun is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program, and has worked in a community setting serving individuals with disabilities for over 14 years. She has past experience working with veterans and injured service members assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) at Fort Carson Army Post, adaptive sports programming for youth and adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments, and recreation and leisure programming for youth and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Currently, she serves as Inclusion Coordinator for the TR Program, assisting persons with disabilities to become involved in general recreation programs.
The intentionally inclusive summer day camp program at Brookfield Zoo is one component of a larger strategic initiative to improve and expand inclusion programs and resources throughout the organization and across the institution. This presentation will highlight transferable learning strategies toward the creation of an inclusion culture.
Standards Strand: Administration; Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Presenter: Dave Becker is the Senior Manager of Learning Experiences for the Chicago Zoological Society. He has been a key organizational leader in the development of the Chicago Zoological Society’s disability inclusion efforts, including zoo camp as well as other inclusion programs and strategic efforts. He has been with CZS since 2001. He has an M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Play for children is often seen as a reward for all the hard work they do in class, but imagine instead we saw play as the most important part of learning. Where staff understand the aspects for development as it relates to hands on learning helps to concrete skills for children. We will share how leaders can develop professional training surrounding the importance of play for teaching skills and providing real world practice for children to maintain those skills. How play can help children with disabilities learn social skills, friendship skills, and help concrete skills needed for life. Let’s explore how we can help our teachers work with an open mind and explore the role of teaching during play.
Standards Strands: Administration/Programming; Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Kristie Hamby provides and oversees the disability services for Community Action Partnership of North Alabama in the Children Services department. She has a BS-Psychology/Social Psychology, AS- Social Work, and AS- Mental Health. Kristie has 25 years’ experience providing services to children and families in-crisis as Director of a domestic violence shelter, Facilitator of children’s abuse group meetings, Court Referral Officer, a DHR contracted child/family case manager and Manager of group home for hard to place children. Her training includes preschool inclusion, early intervention and inclusion, autism, LEA special education requirements and behavior management. She is an ASQ trainer, has a certificate in Special Education Advocacy from PELE institute from William and Mary Law School, and has an Infant Mental Health Family Associate Endorsement from First5 Alabama (Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health).
Standards Strand: Programming
Want the K.E.Y.S. to a successful program? Take a spin with us to learn about a successful program model that addresses the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities in your community while meeting their interests and the goals of your organization. Get ready to drive to success using these K.E.Y.S.!
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Presenter: Katelin Colón, CTRS, is the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for the City of Miami, Department of Parks and Recreation’s Disabilities Division located at the Sandra DeLucca Developmental Center. Katelin is responsible for overseeing the efforts made for inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the parks and aquatics programs as well as inclusionary training for the department. She is passionate about the field of therapeutic recreation and hopes to increase advocacy and improve the service delivery of programs one step at a time! She loves spending time at the beach with her husband, Jon, and dog, Nena.
Inclusion is the intentional and systematic work we do every day, planning for the success of all. Camp and Recreation Programs are facing ever changing demands to keep up with the requirements set forth to ensure the health and safety of their community. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that Inclusion Is NOT Cancelled, by taking the steps to ensure ALL are welcomed, engaged and supported during these challenging times, especially those with disabilities.
You’ll learn that Inclusion strategies are good for ALL and embracing these strategies will not only be beneficial to children with disabilities, but also builds a positive camp or recreation culture as we recognize that ALL your participants (and staff) may be experiencing effects of the current global pandemic and resulting isolation and uncertainty.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Presenter: Lisa Drennan has a 36-year career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. At New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she gained experience in working as a Direct Support Worker and eventually as the Director of The Sollar Wellness Center specifically designed for this population. In 2014, she joined the South Shore YMCA as the first-ever Association Director of Inclusion, creating innovative programs and comprehensive staff trainings to build a culture of inclusion. In 2018 Lisa started her company, MERGE Inclusion Consulting where she provides consultation, staff training and systems implementation to community entities committed to recreation, sport and social program inclusion.
Learning about inclusion strategies is an important step in your inclusion initiative. Implementation and creating “buy-in” from your team is crucial in creating sustainable practices that turn into culture Let’s take the Inclusion Strategies learned in Part 1 and practice them through small group exercises. Wrap it all together by solving inclusion scenarios that typically occur in camp/rec settings. (NOTE: participation first in part 1 is highly encouraged.)
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Presenter: Lisa Drennan has a 36-year career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. At New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she gained experience in working as a Direct Support Worker and eventually as the Director of The Sollar Wellness Center specifically designed for this population. In 2014, she joined the South Shore YMCA as the first-ever Association Director of Inclusion, creating innovative programs and comprehensive staff trainings to build a culture of inclusion. In 2018 Lisa started her company, MERGE Inclusion Consulting where she provides consultation, staff training and systems implementation to community entities committed to recreation, sport and social program inclusion.
Although everyone would like to see inclusion occur naturally and effortlessly, it is obvious that communities have a lot of work to do. In Summit County, Ohio, we have begun that process, by not only increasing awareness in our county, but also by developing strategies and support that is readily available to those who need it.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: All
Presenters:
For Tricia Streharsky, M.Ed, inclusion has been an integral part of her life, both personally and professionally. She spent her youth observing the relationships her older brother, who has developmental delays, had with the community, both inclusive and exclusive. She quickly grew to understand that it was about a person’s knowledge and attitude about differences. She participated in many volunteer opportunities to become more familiar with and support persons of all abilities. She has worked in Early Childhood Education since 1995, teaching Head Start with two different programs for much of that time, and joining the Summit DD Inclusion Team in 2016. As the Community Support Specialist for the Early Childhood Focus Area, she has become even more passionate about including people of all abilities’ access and support to all community settings.
Erin Pemberton, BS EChEd, is a wife, mother to 2 amazing son’s, one of which is on the Autism Spectrum. She started her experience with Summit DD in 1993 by volunteering in Weaver school classrooms. She officially joined the Summit DD team in June of 1997 as a substitute for the children’s services department. Soon after she was hired as an assistant in the Calico Program, she returned to school to become a Child Care Specialist in 2008. She joined the Inclusion program in 2011, finished her Bachelor’s degree and became an Inclusion Specialist. In 2018, she began supporting her local community by offering training for staff and assisting in adapting practices for local businesses to be more inclusive further supporting Summit County in becoming Inclusive in all practices. Every day, she looks forward to helping her community become a place where every person is valued for their unique abilities, and acceptance is a way of life.
Structured Teaching is an evidence-based practice designed to improve outcomes for people with autism. The tools of Structured Teaching can be applied in almost any setting and can greatly enhance participation and learning. This presentation will help get you started on incorporating this powerful tool for inclusion.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: All
Presenter: Jon Blalock is the Director of Camp Lakey Gap Autism Programs in Black Mountain, North Carolina. While pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Therapy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Jon discovered the wonderful world of Adapted Summer Camp Programs through Camp Lakey Gap for Children and Adults with Autism. After Graduation, he spent 10 years as an autism specialist for the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program in their Asheville, NC Clinic. In 2017, Jon was called back to the camp he fell in love while in college, and has directed the program since. He is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and is designated as a Certified TEACCH Advanced Consultant.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh has hosted virtual programs and provided opportunities for inclusive shared experiences for its members to strengthen connections and friendships while physically distant. This presentation will share and outline how we adapted from in-person, to virtual, to a hybrid model of programming.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner
Presenters:
Cara Paolicelli graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Therapy. Cara is very passionate about working with people of all abilities, and is motivated to work toward decreasing stigmas and advocating for inclusion in her community! She is currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh working to earn a Master of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology by 2021, and currently works with adult members in our office to complete tasks and engage in meaningful aspects of The Friendship Circle’s operations.
Rivkee Rudolph was born and raised in Pittsburgh, graduated from Yeshiva Schools, then studied at Seminary Chaya Mushka in Israel. She began her professional life as a preschool teacher, first in Pittsburgh and then in New York. In 2006, Rivkee founded The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, where she has served as its Director ever since. She is singularly focused on and is largely responsible for Friendship Circles’s basic philosophy: all members are equally welcome and lines between abilities should be blurred as much as possible. Her commitment to executing this philosophy throughout the scores of programs and events FC sponsors has enabled the organization to become an integral part of both the Jewish and the general community in Pittsburgh.
Sara Pelikan-Cato joined The Friendship Circle in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Masters of Education in Early Intervention with a concentration in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Sara is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her primary responsibilities include programming and administrative support as well as staff development and overseeing daily operations.
This program is designed to inspire and educate families and professionals during the time of Covid-19 on ways to connect through virtual recreation; options serving youth and adults with disabilities. This session will show successful virtual recreation trends and strategies to plan for future shifts in an increasingly unpredictable time. We will look at creative solutions to combat barriers to technology access. Through sharing and visual displays participants will leave with an array of ways to engage in a time of social isolation.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Intermediate
Presenters:
Kyle Bywater graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. During college he worked part time for Specialized Programs. In 2013 he was hired on as a full time Recreation Specialist, he now serves as the Program Coordinator for Specialized Programs and is the ADA coordinator for program compliance for Seattle Parks and Recreation. His favorite part of working at Specialized Programs is supporting our Sharks Special Olympics teams. “I personally love sports and love the joy it brings to our participants on and off the field. I also enjoy being able to provide a variety of recreation programs for youth and adults with disabilities across the City of Seattle.”
Savannah Seiple graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Psychology in 2014. During college she worked part time for Specialized Programs. After college, she was hired on as a full time Recreation Leader, she has worked at Specialized programs since 2013. Savannah is very passionate about advocating for participants and helping them learn skills towards a healthy lifestyle. Her favorite part of working at Specialized Programs is being a coach to the Seattle Parks Sharks Special Olympics teams. She also had the honor in 2018 of being the head coach for Team Washington Athletics at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
Allison Leonard graduated from Columbia University with degrees in Socio-cultural Anthropology and Pre-Law. During college she worked part-time with Immigration Equality in NYC and seasonally for the Aquatics Department with Seattle Parks in Recreation. Her work in Aquatics evolved into coaching the Special Olympics Swim team with Specialized Programs and then achieving a full-time Recreation Leader position with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Specialized Programs unit in 2015. Her favorite programs with Specialized Programs are overnight camps and trips. “I enjoy getting to know participants: it helps me better plan activities that truly delight the people we serve. Tailoring to needs and interests sets participants up for success, builds confidence and builds a sense of belonging through recreating. Recreation strengthens us (physically, emotionally, and socially). I enjoy seeing people build their skills and confidence much as friendships and community.”
Hannah Spaulding graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2016, earning a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration with a concentration in Recreation Therapy. Hannah is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and is registered in the state of Washington as a Recreation Therapist. Hannah’s passion is making sure that community members of all abilities have equitable access to meaningful and purposeful recreation opportunities. She has worked for 4 different Parks and Recreation agencies, including the City of Seattle.
Participants will learn how to apply foundational concepts of effective Positive Behavior Support to meet the needs of children with a wide range of needs across a wide range of settings. Small breakout groups will analyze case examples of challenging behaviors to identify escalation patterns, behavioral function, and intervention ideas. Participants will play interactive virtual games to differentiate between reinforcement, punishment, positive, and negative response strategies. Participants will come away with practical strategies to effectively support the behavior of all children in their care.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Kloo, PhD is National Inclusion Project’s Director of Inclusive Recreation Standards and Accreditation. She is an educator, interventionist, and developmental specialist with over 20 years of experience teaching children of all ages and abilities. She is a frequent presenter, a widely published author, and consultant to research institutions, educational organizations, and universities. Amanda is also an adaptive fitness coach and athlete with cerebral palsy who provides inclusive play and exercise experiences to children and adults with exceptional needs. She is passionate about all things inclusion and the power of play.
Stand up, shake off your conference fatigue, and share some refreshing laughter with other attendees with Flow Circus’ Paul Miller and Dawn Daria as they walk you through some energizing Flop Ball play. The flop ball is a flat, round, sand filled hand sack that is easy to pick up and hard to put down. This come-as-you-are lunchtime energizer introduces some basic tricks and styles of play, provides ideas for use in programming, and presents some strategies for thriving in the messiness of learning, growth and change -- with the Flop Ball and in life.
At Reach for Resources we are firm believers that inclusive adaptations are beneficial for all. Reach contracts with 11 cities and parks organizations to provide inclusion support and consultation. We have worked in many different settings and seen it all when it comes to supporting children and adults who need extra assistance. Making programs inclusive does not have to mean a full overhaul of the program! In fact, it should not. You can make small adjustments that will make a big impact. A few of the topics we will touch on in this session include tips on training and preparing staff teams, how to structure the schedule of your program/camp, and some styles of activities to include or avoid. Leave with a few concrete ideas that will take minimal effort to implement and make a big difference!
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Presenters:
Emily Orr, Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion, has been working with Reach since October 2015, overseeing the Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion programs at Reach. Emily works with her team to develop and facilitate adaptive programs such as sports leagues, social groups, and group outings for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Emily also assists Reach’s partners in offering inclusion support for individuals with disabilities who participate in typical Parks and Recreation programming. Emily graduated from the University of Saint Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology with her master’s in counseling psychology. While in school she completed a practicum in Autism Day Treatment at St. David’s Center where she practiced Family Therapy and Play Therapy with a multidisciplinary team. Emily has been supporting individuals with disabilities since 2006 in various capacities, including many different roles at Hammer Residences where she served most recently as the Community Life Coordinator, planning and facilitating wellness activities for all 250+ residents and 500+ staff. After graduating with her Master of Arts degree Emily decided to pursue nontraditional therapies and has thoroughly enjoyed planning and facilitating adaptive and inclusive recreation programs ever since. Emily has a passion for recreation and outdoor adventure and spends her free time planning and participating in fun activities with her family and friends. She loves being outside, traveling, running, playing games, and exploring all that the Twin Cities has to offer.
Jesse Hartrick, Assistant Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion, began at Reach in July 2016. She graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato, studying recreation parks and leisure services with an emphasis in therapeutic, resources management and leisure planning and management. Jesse spent four summers at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI, working with children and adults with disabilities. She also did an internship with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Colorado. Jesse is a registered therapeutic recreational specialist and worked in both our Independent Living Department and Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion Department before accepting this current role in 2019. Jesse spends as much time as possible with her family in Wisconsin. She also enjoys traveling, being outdoors, snowboarding, skiing, camping, and participating in any sport.
To most effectively run an inclusive health and fitness program we must understand the cognitive, behavioral, and anatomical differences of various disabilities and how they influence programming and instruction.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Intermediate
Presenter: Brendan Aylward is the owner of Unified Health and Performance, an inclusive strength and conditioning facility in Massachusetts, and AdaptX, an educational company for fitness and disability service professionals who want to start adaptive fitness programs. He races for Team Hoyt New England with his friend, Jacob. The duo, athletes for Newton Running, have completed more than 70 races together. His career revolves around making fitness more accessible for athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities. Learn more about Brendan's work at www.brendanaylward.com
Even before the onset of the recent global pandemic, isolation and loneliness are experienced by persons with disabilities at a considerably higher rate than their non-disabled peers. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we work to create opportunities for social connectedness and belonging. Inclusive recreation, sport or camp programs provide an ideal opportunity for this to happen, but we recognized that it may not be a skill set that recreation/camp staff come to the table with inherently. When we focus on a person's gifts and values that they can share with their community we have taken the first step in facilitating a friendship to be fostered based on a mutual interest that two people might share. Join us to create a pathway to friendship FOR ALL.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Presenter: Lisa Drennan has a 36-year career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. At New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she gained experience in working as a Direct Support Worker and eventually as the Director of The Sollar Wellness Center specifically designed for this population. In 2014, she joined the South Shore YMCA as the first-ever Association Director of Inclusion, creating innovative programs and comprehensive staff trainings to build a culture of inclusion. In 2018 Lisa started her company, MERGE Inclusion Consulting where she provides consultation, staff training and systems implementation to community entities committed to recreation, sport and social program inclusion.
TIES promotes the participation of children and young adults who have developmental disabilities in extracurricular and community activities by providing effective support. This support is provided by trained peer volunteers in order to make the experience inclusive.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner
Presenters:
Kathy Costello, TIES Program Director at Starbridge, created Together Including Every Student (TIES) Program in 1997. TIES is a program which promotes the participation of students and young adults who have developmental disabilities in extracurricular, community and recreational activities with the support of trained peer volunteers. Kathy realized the need and desire of her son Kevin wanting to be involved in his school and community. She became his Boy Scout leader, School of Religion teacher and accompanied him to activities so that he could be involved. Once he was in 4th grade, Kathy realized that her presence didn’t allow for the activity to be inclusive and for Kevin to have the opportunity to form relationships with his peers. With the support of trained peer volunteers, everyone is included!
Sarah Salamone, TIES Program Manager at Starbridge, joined the TIES Program in 2017 as a TIES Coordinator in the school district that her family resides. Being the mom of Brinley, a little girl with Down Syndrome, inclusion in all aspects has become a passion of hers. Once hearing about the benefits of TIES, Sarah knew her school district should implement it to benefit all students.
Positive social interaction doesn’t always come naturally from play. Reflecting on play is a powerful tool for promoting positive social interaction and teaching students skills to last a lifetime! In this interactive workshop, we will play, reflect and identify what makes reflection the essential component for learning.
Standards Strand: Programming; Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Presenter: Lucinda is an education consultant and the creator and director of Whole Planet Consulting. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she also works as a Lead Facilitator for the University of Michigan Adventure Leadership program and a certified Challenge Course Manager and trainer. She regularly speaks at regional, national and international conferences, highlighting her 30 years of experience in formal and informal education. She is an active member of the Association for Experiential Education, the Michigan Science Teachers Association, the Michigan Alliance of Outdoor and Environmental Educators and the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
Participants joined Aron Hall, NIP’s Director of Education & Training, with their lunch (or breakfast or brunch, depending on their time zone) and played some interactive games over Zoom. First ever game of Zoom Tag anyone?
Standards Strand: Staffing
Gain a better understanding and acceptance of individuals with disabilities by increasing awareness, instilling sensitivity and minimizing the barriers created by attitudes and misunderstandings. Engage in hands on simulation activities and take away a toolbox of resources to create your own sensitivity training that will encourage an attitude of inclusion.
Standards Strand: Staffing; Level: Beginner
Presenters:
Felicia Barnhart is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program, and has worked in a community setting with individuals with disabilities for over 22 years. Felicia has worked with people with a wide range of disabilities and ages helping enhance skills through Sports, Fitness & Aquatics; Outdoor Adventure; Social Enrichment; Community Integration; and Arts & Culture. She served as the Inclusion Coordinator for the City for over 12 years, assisting persons with disabilities become involved in general recreation programs. She currently serves as the program supervisor.
Sarah Braun is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program, and has worked in a community setting serving individuals with disabilities for over 14 years. She has past experience working with veterans and injured service members assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) at Fort Carson Army Post, adaptive sports programming for youth and adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments, and recreation and leisure programming for youth and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Currently, she serves as Inclusion Coordinator for the TR Program, assisting persons with disabilities to become involved in general recreation programs.
Mark Snow is currently a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and works for the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program as a Program Coordinator. He has worked in camps and with people with disabilities since the late 1990s and earned a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Texas in 2006. Mark has also served as Adjunct Faculty for the Therapeutic Recreation program at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Mark currently supervises programs for individuals with physical disabilities as well as trips in to the community and a 6 week summer camp for youth with disabilities called Discovery.
Casey Grice is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program. During his time as a professional, he has worked with the geriatric population (specifically in memory care), in adaptive sports for youth and adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments, and in a recreation and leisure setting for youth and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Prior to becoming certified, he spent multiple years working in assisted living and programming community based recreation for youth with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. He currently serves as the Recreation Assistant for the TR Program, assisting and implementing programs for a wide scope of individuals with disabilities.
Ashley Bordenet is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program and has worked in the field of recreational therapy for five years. Ashley has worked with individuals with a broad range of disabilities and ages in a multitude of settings: clinical with a focus on early intervention and youth with autism spectrum disorder, educational with an emphasis on team-building in a camp setting at the university level, outdoor experiential learning with individuals with multiple intellectual, physical, and/or personality disorders, and community-based with youth and adults with intellectual/developmental and physical disabilities. Currently, she serves as a Program Director for the TR Program to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate and engage in a variety of leisure activities.
Whether you manage or partner with a robust inclusion program, there is a lot to consider! Contacting parents, supervising a staff team, writing contracts, dealing with behavior issues, filling shifts. Come hear from one expert on what managers should expect from the role. Learn to delegate and empower your staff team!
Standards Strand: Staffing; Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Presenters:
Emily Orr, Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion, has been working with Reach since October 2015, overseeing the Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion programs at Reach. Emily works with her team to develop and facilitate adaptive programs such as sports leagues, social groups, and group outings for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Emily also assists Reach’s partners in offering inclusion support for individuals with disabilities who participate in typical Parks and Recreation programming. Emily graduated from the University of Saint Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology with her master’s in counseling psychology. While in school she completed a practicum in Autism Day Treatment at St. David’s Center where she practiced Family Therapy and Play Therapy with a multidisciplinary team. Emily has been supporting individuals with disabilities since 2006 in various capacities, including many different roles at Hammer Residences where she served most recently as the Community Life Coordinator, planning and facilitating wellness activities for all 250+ residents and 500+ staff. After graduating with her Master of Arts degree Emily decided to pursue nontraditional therapies and has thoroughly enjoyed planning and facilitating adaptive and inclusive recreation programs ever since. Emily has a passion for recreation and outdoor adventure and spends her free time planning and participating in fun activities with her family and friends. She loves being outside, traveling, running, playing games, and exploring all that the Twin Cities has to offer.
Jesse Hartrick, Assistant Director of Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion, began at Reach in July 2016. She graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato, studying recreation parks and leisure services with an emphasis in therapeutic, resources management and leisure planning and management. Jesse spent four summers at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI, working with children and adults with disabilities. She also did an internship with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Colorado. Jesse is a registered therapeutic recreational specialist and worked in both our Independent Living Department and Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion Department before accepting this current role in 2019. Jesse spends as much time as possible with her family in Wisconsin. She also enjoys traveling, being outdoors, snowboarding, skiing, camping, and participating in any sport.
Special Thanks to Flow Circus!
Need help of more info?
Need help with registering? Interested in a group rate for 5 or more? Have other questions? Contact Aron Hall and he'll give you all the details.
What people are saying about the Power of Play
"As a professional who has been attending conferences for over 20 years, I must say that I received more relevant information during this conference than any other I’ve been to. I returned feeling enthusiastic and empowered!"
"It was very helpful to learn practical skills that can be directly applied in my work, ie, preventive strategies for working with children with autism (visual aids), as well as useful ice breakers that not only help in getting to know each other, but also help one in seeing how it might feel in someone else’s shoes."
"It was so beneficial to learn that other organizations share similar challenges as we do as well as to hear from those who’ve had good success in areas where we may not have the same resources. I am amazed by the overall enthusiasm everyone had for both the conference and their own programs."
"I came away with a better perspective of what inclusion truly is and ways to present it to my staff."
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