Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Crawford.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Through a variety of learning experiences, I knew at an early age that one of my greatest strengths to effect change in the lives of others was through promoting inclusion and helping others to recognize, accept, and embrace diversity. In High School, I volunteered with Special Olympics and recognized how special and unique of an opportunity it was to improve the lives of others through recreation. Upon entering college, at the University of Iowa, I chose to major in Physical Therapy, as they had a premier Physical Therapy program.
During my childhood, I was involved in competitive gymnastics, which led me to get involved in cheerleading and dance line for the University.
The Captain of the Cheerleading Team was a Therapeutic Recreation major. As the team was involved in community service, the Captain of the team had us involved in the preparation of programs, camps and clinics for individuals with disabilities. I was very impressed with the amazing people that I met through the programs, and the impact being made on each individual through our work. The positive experiences of working with individuals with disabilities in High School and College led me to change my career path to Therapeutic Recreation.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa. As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), I have dedicated my career toward improving the lives of others through Recreation Therapy. I have had the honor to serve in leadership roles with a variety of organizations including the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section (ITRS). Currently, I am the Executive Director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA).
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but I have had help over many hurdles from many amazing mentors and leaders in the field of Parks and Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation. Upon entering the field, there were not many minorities working in community-based Therapeutic Recreation.
Finding mentors was challenging at first, but through active involvement in committees and various learning opportunities, I met and had the privilege of working with some amazing people.
Even with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the 1990’s and expansion of inclusion efforts, the struggle for continued advocacy and rationalization of a need for programs is still very prevalent throughout the nation. There are many individuals with disabilities who are in need of expanded access to services and are unable to explain the need or advocate for themselves.
This creates a continuous demand for recruitment and development of volunteers and professionals who cannot only provide appropriate and safe services but also explain and rationalize the need for such services.
With budget cuts and re-prioritization of funding toward other endeavors, service agencies are continually forced to do more with less or cut services altogether. It takes strong leaders on local, state and national levels to advocate the need for and benefits of increasing access and inclusion for individuals.
On an agency level, the Special Recreation Association model represented a groundbreaking way for agencies to collaborate and share resources to ensure access for individuals with disabilities. In an article written in the late-1960s by Earle Hodgen for Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine, titled “Recreation Programs for the Handicapped Needed,” he states: “Not a single community recreation department in the nation can be said to have a comprehensive program for the handicapped…. The Parks and Recreation departments have a large stake and interest in providing the teamwork necessary to make inroads towards a comprehensive recreation program for the handicapped.
There is a profound responsibility for the recreation profession to meet the needs of the handicapped as well as the needs of other citizens.” On January 8, 1968, representatives of ten park districts met in the Chicago area to discuss “the possible establishment of a special recreation district for mentally and physically handicapped children in the area.” Two of the larger municipalities worked with the school districts to identify the potential populations to be served and to evaluate the extent of needed programs. In 1969, Senator Harris Falwell (R) introduced legislation into the Illinois Senate to allow the creation of Special Recreation Associations (SRA’s).
Two or more units of local government in Illinois can form an SRA. These entities develop a joint agreement outlining their intent to provide recreation services for people with disabilities. Other elements in a joint agreement include the manner in which the services will be funded and delivered, the establishment of a governing board for the association, and other rules and protocol deemed appropriate by the member boards.
In 2003, the passage of Senate Bill 1881 enabled park districts and municipalities to ensure consistent funding toward recreational services for individuals with disabilities. In addition, the legislation provides Park Districts with the ability to dedicate funding to enhance Park District facilities to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) funding, ensuring access for all in their communities. Over the years, continued advocacy has led to innovative ways to meet ADA standards while increasing access for children and adults with disabilities.
There is always the struggle to ensure that our workforce, Boards and leadership are more diverse and reflective of the community. Being a woman in the field, it was always challenging to climb the ladder in the field with help of mentors and self-education, all while balancing family and personal responsibilities, as well as time for rest and self-reflection. The higher up you go on the ladder, the more difficult it becomes to achieve that elusive work-life balance. However, I have no regrets. For me, this is a part of who I am, and I have been fortunate that my family and friends have been very supportive throughout this journey.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) story. Tell us more about the business.
Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) has a Board and community that embraces change and created with a strong foundation through the vision of NWSRA’s first Executive Director Kevin T. Kendrigan. Kevin was truly a pioneer and set up the organization with big dreams for the future of what this organization could do for the community.
Today, NWSRA is a two-time National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) National Gold Medal Award winner and is recognized as a Distinguished Accredited Agency by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), an honor only 10% of Illinois Park and recreation agencies have received. NWSRA received the NRPA Excellence in Inclusion award, recognizing the national leader in service and promotion of inclusive opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. For its efforts toward ensuring best practices in safety and wellness, NWSRA is recognized as a Park District Risk Management Association (PDRMA) Accredited Agency and achieved the highest overall accreditation score in 2016.
NWSRA works to address a variety of trends in order to ensure full access for all in the community. To address the needs of adults transitioning out of high school, NWSRA has expanded the PURSUIT Adult Day Program, a collaborative program with Clearbrook, for adults with disabilities who have transitioned out of high school. In 2017, NWSRA opened its second location (PURSUIT 2) in Hanover Park. The collaborative PURSUIT Adult Day Program model provides many advantages. First, families are eligible to use Department of Human Services (DHS) Home & Community Based Waiver funding, as well as all staff, are certified through DHS as Direct Support Providers (DSP’s).
In addition, the program is fully funded and sustainable through existing tax dollars and program fees. The program utilizes the talents of a full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and PURSUIT program fees are approximately 25% less expensive when compared to other adult day program offerings in the area. The success of this collaboration between two of the largest service providers in the State of Illinois illustrates the potential for change through sharing of resources.
NWSRA provides over 42,000 accessible roundtrip rides to recreational programs annually. With a team of 40 full-time staff, the Association employs Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP) to ensure best practices in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. NWSRA also works with member Park Districts to improve the inclusive accessible design of structures. To ensure that individual needs are met, staff meet with each family to address the specific needs of each individual and recently implemented a Behavior Intervention Team to identify and address challenging behaviors while ensuring safety for all participants.
With over 14,000 registrations in more than 2,000 programs annually, participants are able to choose from diverse and unique recreational programs and services including cultural arts, athletics, camps, special events, trips and much more. In 2016, NWSRA opened the Snoezelen Sensory Room, which is the first Snoezelen-certified Sensory Room among SRA’s dedicated to therapy for children and adults with disabilities. In this room, a child with Autism can feel safe, or a teenager on the Spectrum can relax his mind through a multi-sensory experience, or an adult with Down Syndrome can feel in control and make choices independently.
Through technology and innovative design, the Snoezelen room is a controlled multi-sensory environment that helps to create a therapeutic alliance between the participant and staff as well as a safe place to develop life skills. It is truly an honor to carry on the legacy of Kevin T. Kendrigan, as we continue to dream and innovate to improve lives.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
With the rise in Autism diagnoses and recognition of multiple disabilities within an ever-expanding aging population, the need for increased access to services will only continue to rise. As the population of individuals with disabilities continues to grow and age, the need for collaboration and communication across governmental agencies, advocacy organizations and private businesses to increase access to necessary services is increasingly evident.
The US Department of Labor cites that the lack of accessible transportation is the most common barrier to employment for individuals with a disability. In addition, the US Census Bureau reports that approximately 1 in 10 individuals have some type of disability. In the face of uncertain funding, individuals with disabilities require expanded and reliable access to employment, healthcare facilities, community-based programming and so much more.
As we look ahead, I believe that professionals within the field of Therapeutic Recreation will see an increased need for the following:
• Drastic changes to healthcare and social service programs nationwide have elevated the need for Recreation Therapists to communicate the benefits, including cost-savings, of the practice of recreation therapy within their communities
• Recruitment and cultivation of talent by connecting diverse interests to dynamic opportunities is vital to the advancement of the field of Therapeutic Recreation
• As demand for recreation therapy increases due to aging populations and other factors, it is important to provide convenient and accessible forums for professionals to maximize sharing and application of knowledge efficiently
Contact Info:
- Address: 3000 W. Central Rd. Suite 205 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
- Website: www.nwsra.org
- Phone: 847-392-2848
- Email: marketing@nwsra.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwsra_ig/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSRA/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwsra
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwe9Ug2KLfByfKTlknbUV4g
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