Take Advantage of PDRMA’s SRA/Therapeutic Recreation Department Training Subsidy

Conflict is inevitable, and in some cases, it can leave marks. Member staff in special recreation settings face an increased risk of injury due to participant bites, altercations or behavior-related incidents. Annually, PDRMA receives an average of 30 claims involving bites by participants. To address this risk, PDRMA began offering a conflict training subsidy for Special Recreation Association’s (SRA) and therapeutic recreation departments in 2017 to help members cover the cost of providing such training.

If your SRA or therapeutic recreation department scheduled conflict resolution training in 2017 to address this issue, don’t miss the Dec. 31 deadline to apply for PDRMA’s training subsidy. And look for an expanded program in 2018.
 
“Member response in 2017 was very positive, so we’re continuing and expanding the subsidy next year,” explains Bill Hooker, PDRMA Training Programs Supervisor. PDRMA does not endorse any specific training program but encourages members to research and choose the one that best addresses their agency’s specific needs and philosophy.

In 2018, the subsidy has been expanded to include:

• Up to $450 ($200 increase from 2017) toward the cost of certifying/renewing the certification of an in-house staff member for instructor/trainer development.
• Up to $250 ($50 increase from 2017) toward the cost of hiring an external instructor.

To apply for the 2017 or 2018 subsidy, members must submit all requests to Britney Gillespie at PDRMA by Dec. 31. Please include the following with your request:

• Copy of receipt/paid invoice for services and materials.
• Brief description of how you used the subsidy.
• Agency name and contact person’s name, phone number and email address.