Question: Does Alexandria require being a licensed recreation therapist for staff of the Therapeutic Recreation after school program, if not, how much would it cost? What would be the cost of adding another Therapeutic Recreation program like the one in Lee center on the west end? What is the cost for expanding the program in Lee Center Therapeutic Recreation to accommodate 12 more kids (double the capacity)? What is the cost of including students with disabilities in elementary school rec programs at their neighborhood schools? Does Alexandria have an adaptive learn to swim program for kids with special needs? What would be the cost to add one if not? (Drowning is among the leading cause of death of individuals with autism according to National Autism Association)? (Councilman Elnoubi)

Response: 

Does Alexandria require being a licensed recreation therapist for staff of the Therapeutic Recreation after school program, if not, how much would it cost? 

The job classification family for Therapeutic Recreation Managers I and II, as well as Therapeutic Recreation Leaders does not require licensure. There is one national organization that provides certification for therapeutic recreation, the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). If a requirement was in place, based on degree programs and professional experience, all of RPCA’s full-time Therapeutic Recreation staff would be eligible to apply for certification and take the required testing. The cost for this process is $500 per individual; RPCA has three full-time TR positions for a total of $1,500. RPCA’s six part-time Therapeutic Recreation staff would also be eligible, and the cost would be the same per individual for a total of $3,000. The total cost for all eligible staff would be $4,500. 

What would be the cost of adding another Therapeutic Recreation program like the one in Lee center on the west end?  

Based on the model at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, programmatic expenses (personnel and non-personnel) are approximately $400,000 for 22-26 participants. The school year and summer TR programs typically generate up to $85,000 in revenue a year for a total estimated net expense of $315,000. There is currently no existing available space to house this program on the West End. 

What is the cost for expanding the program in Lee Center Therapeutic Recreation to accommodate 12 more kids (double the capacity)?  

The current capacity of the program is 26. Due to space constraints at the Lee Center, expanding the program further would require an additional enrollment reduction in the co-located after school program, which currently serves 80 students from Lyles Crouch. With the exception of acquiring expanded transportation, at an approximate cost of $60,000 for an accessible van, additional funding would not be needed to add an additional 12 participants as current funding could be reallocated. 

What is the cost of including students with disabilities in elementary school recreation programs at their neighborhood schools?  

RPCA currently has funding to provide seasonal Therapeutic Recreation Leaders at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center for the Out of School Time Program school year program. This staffing provides supports for participants who are able to participate in the Power-On program with minimal modifications and with additional TR resources. To expand this model to 8 other Power-On locations, RPCA would provide two Therapeutic Recreation staff at each location for the school year program. The current estimated cost for all eight locations is $307,200 ($38,400/location). 

Does Alexandria have an adaptive learn to swim program for kids with special needs? What would be the cost to add one if not? (Drowning is among the leading cause of death of individuals with autism according to National Autism Association)?  

RPCA does have adaptive learn-to-swim programs, and no additional funding is needed. 

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