IPRA/ILRTA EXPLORATORY LICENSURE TASK FORCE WPRA/WTRS – NOVEMBER 2013 Debbie Tiger, MS, CTRS, Assistant Director, Residential/Clinical Services. Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana, IL

Learning Outcomes: 1. Participants will be provided information on Illinois’ step by step process in exploring licensure and will be able to identify at least two initial steps to take in the process. 2. Participants will be provided with resources to begin exploring licensure.

Licensure Definition Licensure—government act, defines scope of practice, usually state level, practice control, meet predetermined standards, 3E’s and CEUs, individual has minimal knowledge and skill to ensure participant health & safety, prevent harm that could come from unregulated practice, time limited, sunset law

Illinois Definition of Qualified Healthcare Provider Illinois Insurance Commission: QHCP is a licensed professional IL Public Health Act – Health Care Professional Credentials Data Collection Act, 1999 – define HCP as any person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or any person licensed under any other act subsequently..

Contacts and Conversations Presentation by Dr. Riley, ILRTA, 2010 ILRTA Board approval to explore licensure Documents gathered from New York, Virginia, CMS, and state laws Conversations and support from Oklahoma, New York, Utah, North Carolina, New Hampshire Administer survey at ILRTA state conference Contacted IPRA/ITRS professionals about ILRTA’s exploration IPRA/ILRTA formed official task force to explore licensure

Exploratory Taskforce Analyze and report ILRTA survey results Convene January, 2012 Chicago exploratory meeting Develop rationale statement for IPRA-ITRS April, 2012 meeting of ILRTA-ITRS to form exploratory taskforce Acceptance of NCTRC definition Collection of regulatory documents, CARF International, The Joint Commission, CMS Attendance, ATRA Licensure Forum, October, 2012 November, 2012 meeting of ITRS-ILRTA exploratory taskforce to review Forum outcomes

IPRA/ILRTA Task Force Statement IPRA/ILRTA Licensure Exploratory Task Force Summary Statement The IPRA/ILRTA Licensure Exploratory Task Force has been formed to explore the concept of licensure for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Professionals in the State of Illinois. The Task Force is currently researching the many aspects involved with the exploration of the licensure concept. These include but are not limited to: 1) the determination of how Illinois regulatory organizations currently recognize Therapeutic Recreation and what requirements for practice, if any, are in place, 2)determining the evidence of public harm that has or could result from the unregulated practice of Therapeutic Recreation, while at the same time providing documented benefits of the practice to clientele, 3) determining the scope of practice for Therapeutic Recreation in Illinois, 4)identify the necessary steps to establish the legal regulatory process and the type of support and resources necessary to see such a process through to completion, 5) determine the benefits and drawbacks for securing licensure, and 6) investigate whether or not other forms of “legal recognition” (title acts, certification, registration, etc.) might better serve the TR profession in Illinois. In addition the Task Force is working to revise and update the ITRS Discharge and Referral Process guidelines in an effort to better educate and communicate to service providers, regulatory bodies, and reimbursement parties of the benefits of Therapeutic Recreation.

NCTRC Position …NCTRC supports the purpose and intent of the legal regulation of recreation therapy practice, including, but not limited to, professional registry, practice acts, and licensure…it is the intent of NCTRC to work with professional organizations and recognized leaders in a collaborative manner in the pursuit to establish the legal regulation of the practice of recreation therapy…November 2, 2006.

NCTRC Position Paper Recommendations Recognize current SOP and ethical codes Collaborate--state & NCTRC CTRS is the basis of legal recognition of a qualified therapeutic recreation professional Use NCTRC list to determine eligibility for initial and continued licensure Allow for portability and reciprocity of credential Use consistent definition of Scope of Practice and terminology

Licensure Programs Utah North Carolina New Hampshire Oklahoma--2009

Process of Licensure Form committee & work plan Inform & gain support from CTRS’-consistent message Consult with NCTRC & licensure states Gain sponsors and co- signers & understand legislature Secure lobbyist Investigate state licensing office & gain support Document harm & client safety practices Write bill & rules Involve consumers & families Garner support from state colleges & universities In-service politicians Develop letters of support Testify Attend & respond to key issues Monitor progress Plan disciplinary oversight

Utah Lessons Lessons Learned: It is a long a difficult process that takes total commitment by many. Just when you think you know what is going to happen…it doesn’t but something else does! It is a professional commitment for time and eternity. It takes a belief within the profession that Recreational Therapy is a practice that can harm the public and as a professional I am responsible for safeguarding the public.