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By Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-4314
Posted 4-1-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusive Networks (TRAIN) program at UNCG has been named the best new therapeutic recreation program by the N.C. Recreation & Park Association. The award was announced at the March 23-24 annual meeting of the association’s Therapeutic Recreation Section in Salisbury.
Led by Dr. Stuart Schleien, head of the Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management (RTH), and Kimberly Miller, TRAIN is preparing undergraduate and graduate students to become Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists with expertise in facilitating the inclusion of participants with disabilities in community recreation programs and services.
As inclusion facilitators, they will help recreation agencies welcome and accommodate individuals of varying abilities into all programs. They will serve an important role in increasing the access citizens with disabilities have to activities that promote health and wellness, social relationships, and quality of life. TRAIN is supported by a four-year, $761,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
RTH graduate students Laura Bocko, Felicia Bowens, Jennene Lausier, Ann-Marie Strike, David Stroud and Jennie Venable are developing this expertise through a breadth of experiential opportunities.
Under the guidance of Schleien and Miller, they are facilitating inclusive recreation programs locally, consulting with public recreation agencies across the state on best practices for inclusive service delivery, networking with mentors from across the country, and expanding the field’s knowledge base through research on best practices in inclusive recreation.
At the same meeting, the association announced that Bocko has received a merit scholarship.