Therapeutic Recreation in the Public Schools: A Community Partnership

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-7-2018

Department

Kinesiology

School

Kinesiology and Nutrition

Abstract

Background: In 2002, the University of Southern Mississippi's Therapeutic Recreation Program and the Hattiesburg (MS) Public School District's Department of Exceptional Children and Health Services formed a partnership that has lasted (off and on) for 15 years.

Methods: The partnership was formed based on a shared mission of education and training, and grew in depth based on reciprocated respect and support.

Results: Early collaborative efforts included simple programming efforts that provided health and educational benefits for the students with disabilities in the public schools and training for the future professionals in therapeutic recreation at the university. As the program progressed, more complex programs were designed to teach students with disabilities to build the capacity for pursuing and maintaining personal health.

Conclusions: Planned programming efforts for the near future focus on collecting data to support the development of an extracurricular athletic program for students with disabilities.

Publication Title

Progress In Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action

Volume

12

First Page

129

Last Page

137

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS