COVID-19 Resources for Recreational Therapists

FEDERAL GUIDELINES

• State Medicaid and CHIP Programs
• Resources from ATRA's Federal Lobbyist
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information (updated regularly)
• National Institutes for Health
• Medicare
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

FEDERAL GUIDELINES ACCORDING TO RT PRACTICE SETTING

Older Adults/Long Term Care

• Coronavirus and Older Adults
• Older Adult COVID-19 Resources
• Older Adult Forum

Schools

• CDC Information: Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools & Child Care Programs (updated regularly)
• FERPA and Coronavirus: FAQs (US DOE, March 2020)
• Special Education and COVID-19 School Closures

Mental/Behavioral Health

• Resources from the National Council for Behavioral Health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Stress and Coping Suggestions from the CDC
• Resiliency
• Talkspace's Resources for Mental Health

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Child and Adolescent

Community

Private Practice/Waiver Products

• CMS COVID-19 Disaster Response Toolkit (updated regularly)

Veterans and Military

• VA Response Plan
• VA Blog

STATE GUIDELINES

Every state is responding to the coronavirus outbreak based on state-specific circumstances; there are slight variations found in responses across the nation. This includes state-specific resources and actions, education responses, workforce protections, public health initiatives, travel restrictions, funding appropriations, and quarantine/isolation practices. ATRA is encouraging RTs to share pertinent information to support RTs in their respective state. As information is submitted, it will be posted to share.

Michigan

• Public Perception Poll

New Jersey

• State Department of Health

New Mexico

• New Mexico Department of Health Resource Information (updated regularly)

CALLS TO ACTION

Sign On Letters

As a part of ATRA's commitment to recreational therapy and recreational therapists, we regularly sign support letters for areas and issues that are relevant to the practice of recreational therapy. Below are some of the recent letters that ATRA has signed onto.

Public Comments Needed

RT ADVOCACY

CTRSs are highly qualified providers that support people everyday. However, the profession is challenged with common challenges that ultimately limit our scope of practice and require constant advocacy of our profession, service, and credentials. Sharing RT advocacy resources will broaden the strength of our profession at the federal, state, and local levels and within various settings and environments. 

POPULATION RESOURCES FOR RT PROVIDERS

Aside from providing direct service, recreational therapists support and advocate for those we serve. The following resources can help RTs support and advocate for the safety, health, and well-being of the people in our care during this national crisis. 

IDD - Self-Advocacy Resources

• Plain Language Booklet on Coronavirus (Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
• COVID-19 Explanation: Plain Language Video and Captioned from Oregon
• Spanish Plain Language Booklet on Coronavirus Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
• Resource for Direct Support Professionals

Medically Complex Families

• 19 Preparations for Medically Complex Families

Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging

• COIVD-19 for Older Adults
• Managing Stress and Anxiety

Mental Health/Behavioral Health

• SAMHSA Resources
• Mental Health Month

NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES RESOURCES

• Key Terms Regarding Online Learning
• Relevant Laws and Best Practices
• A Parent's Guide to Virtual Learning
• An Educator's Guide to Virtual Learning
• Serving Students with Disabilities Part I
• Serving Students with Disabilities Part II