STAFF REPORT
Operations Committee,
August 7, 2008
Specialized Recreation Study Implementation
(PR09-05)
Consideration of Implementation of Specialized Recreation Study
Speaker: Mr.
Dwayne Jones
From: Mary
G. Henderson, Director, PRCR
Prepared by: Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager
Background
Funds were included in the FY07 budget to conduct a study and needs assessment on specialized recreation services. The initial budget request was submitted due to receiving a number of citizen inquiries regarding programs and services for people with disabilities. The study and needs assessment will help staff better understand the demand for specialized recreation services for the citizens of Cary. Traditionally, staff has included people with disabilities in regular programs or referred participants to the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation, Special Populations Division. The City of Raleigh has been the main public provider for specialized recreation services as they receive funding from Wake County.
In November 2007, Management Learning Laboratories (MLL) of Winston-Salem was selected from four respondents to a Request for Proposal to conduct the study. The consultant team was comprised of Dr. Ananda Mitra, president of MLL and founder of the Survey and Research Center at Wake Forest University; Dina Trunzo, Certified Recreation Specialist and Manager of Therapeutic Recreation for Somerset County, New Jersey; and Dr. Fran Daly, Certified Recreation Specialist, Associate Professor and Coordinator for Recreation Administration at Kean University. The study was completed in April 2008.
The goals of the study were as follows:
● Identify and evaluate existing private for profit and nonprofit community resources and government agencies providing services within Cary.
● Collection and analysis of demographic information on the general population to include categorizing types of disabilities.
● Identify specific recreation programs and services to be considered by the Town to meet the needs of citizens.
● Identify partnerships and potential funding sources available to the Town.
● Provide a recommendation on how demand for recreation services might be addressed by the Town and prioritize programs and services for consideration.
Process
The consultant took a two-fold approach in conducting the study and needs assessment. The first element was to gather demographic, interest, attitudes and opinions from potential users. Focus groups were assembled to assist the consultant in developing a user survey instrument. Users are considered as people with a disability that might take advantage of recreation services offered by the Town. The final user survey was mailed to a random sample of 2000 Cary residents that were identified in the Census as disabled.
The second element of the needs assessment was to survey service providers of specialized recreation services. Service providers can be municipal or county agencies, nonprofit groups, and private for profit businesses. The information gathered during the User Focus Group meetings was used to develop the provider survey instrument. The provider survey was sent to 450 agencies across Wake County that provided services or peripheral services for people with disabilities.
Public input was vital to completing the study in order to determine the need for specialized recreation services. The PRCR Advisory Board reviewed and provided input into the survey instrument as well as received monthly updates throughout the study. A web page was created to keep citizens informed on the progress of the study as well as to display public presentations and the final report. A public meeting was held April 21, 2008 in order to review the consultants’ recommendations and answer questions about the results of the study.
The study also included researching national and regional trends in therapeutic recreation. Therapeutic recreation is the terminology used by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) as it relates to services for people with disabilities.
Results
Survey Data Analysis
The 2006 Census data indicates that approximately 9% of Cary residents reported having a disability. This statistic equates to 9,317 Cary residents. Users and providers were surveyed in several key areas. Complete analysis and details are included in the study.
Points of emphasis from the results of the user survey are as follows:
1. Administrative - The survey data indicates the greatest need for trained qualified staff, information on what is offered, improved inclusive language, and collaboration with surrounding communities.
2. Programs - In the program area, respondents noted the need for activities such as fitness, skill development programs and performing arts.
3. Facilities - In the facilities area, the emphasis was on access to amenities such as greenways and sidewalks.
4. Personal Opinions - Nearly half of the respondents felt that there was a need for recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.
Service providers were surveyed in three key areas: administrative, programs, and personal opinions. The survey identified existing resources and types of services offered by providers. By comparing the needs from the user results and the resources from the provider results, staff can determine gaps in services. Some examples of local service providers include the Autism Society of North Carolina, Life Experiences, Family Support Services of Wake County, and Special Olympics North Carolina.
Points of emphasis from the results of the provider survey were as follows:
1. Administrative - The provider results indicated a primary strength in providing trained staff.
2. Program – Provider strengths included offering social activities and skill development programs.
3. Personal Opinions - The general consensus from providers was that there is a lack of recreational opportunities for people with special needs.
Based on these areas of emphasis, the consultant has identified six major findings and recommendations derived from the study. These are as follows:
1. Develop a job description and the hire of a qualified Therapeutic Recreation professional.
2. Implement an ongoing staff training program on working with and understanding disabilities.
3. Provide information about what is offered and its importance to develop a local network consisting of program users, providers and caregivers. Providing an outlet for ongoing feedback and advice on services can reinforce Cary’s commitment to people with disabilities.
4. Ensure that the Town information resources include language that is inclusive of people with disabilities.
5. Identify opportunities for collaboration, which could also include local municipalities and school leadership to recognize specific needs associated with school age children and develop possible collaborative programs.
6. It is important to note that the Town already provides specialized recreation services and this study is the first step in invigorating the services provided by the Town. This data, along with future studies, should be used to plan for the future.
Trend Analysis
The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990 provides for equal access to parks and recreation facilities and programs. The initial focus of ADA was physical access to facilities, however; most recently there has been a shift in addressing programmatic access for individuals. The focus has led to increasing services for people with disabilities and inclusion services. Inclusion services means combining non disabled participants with people with disabilities in the same program. Parks and Recreation agencies offering specialized recreation services have generally managed programs in one of the following ways.
1. Defined Units or Separate Division, for example, a Therapeutic Division – This structure establishes a separate division within a department.
2. Personnel assigned by geographic location or program area. In large agencies, Therapeutic Specialists might be assigned to a district or specific program area.
3. Consultant based services. Some agencies have experienced success in providing specialized recreation on a contracted services basis.
According to a 1997 survey conducted by NRPA, most agencies utilized the defined units approach in providing these services.
Locally, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department is the primary public service provider of specialized recreation in our area. As previously mentioned, Raleigh Parks and Recreation receives some funding from Wake County. At one time as much as 50% of the Special Populations Division budget was funded by Wake County. Currently, the County provides $76,000 annually to the City of Raleigh for this program. Raleigh’s Special Populations Division is comprised of six full-time permanent staff. Both segregated and inclusive programs are offered by Raleigh Parks and Recreation. On a state level, Mecklenburg County is recognized as a major provider of specialized recreation services. The consultant found a unique example of three agencies joining together to offer specialized recreation services. Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville have collaborated to bring a variety of services to their respective communities.
PRCR Advisory Board Recommendation
The PRCR Advisory Board reviewed the study and consultant recommendations at the June 2008 meeting. The Board unanimously voted to move the study forward to Council for review and approval. In addition, Board members suggested building relationships with other agencies; identifying gaps in services; easing the use of transportation; and the possibility of sharing facilities and instructors.
Implementation Plan
The purpose of the study was to specifically determine if, and at what level, there was a need for specialized recreation services in Cary. The survey data analysis led the consultant team to recommend implementing a new program area to address services for people with disabilities. Staff is presenting two alternatives to consider for implementation.
This option represents a phased approach to developing a new program area. Initially a certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist would be contracted (or hired as a temporary employee) to initiate a number of the study recommendations that would not necessitate permanent staffing. However, a plan would also be developed for consideration during next year’s budget process to fully implement the program. The scope of services to be accomplished is defined below.
1. Develop inclusion language for all PRCR communication tools including brochures, registration forms, and web pages.
2. Develop a staff training plan and initiate staff training.
3. Investigate contract services opportunities with Raleigh Parks and Recreation to conduct participant assessments.
4. Begin investigating partnership opportunities with agencies identified in the study.
5. Develop program plan, staffing plan, and cost estimates to include for consideration in the FY10 budget.
Fiscal Impact: Alternative 1
No additional funds are required to move forward with this option. The study was funded at $25,000 however; the cost to complete the study was $16, 750. The remaining $8,250 from FY08 can be rolled forward to FY09 and be used to complete the scope of services identified above.
Alternative 2
This option would include implementation of a new program that would involve hiring one full-time, permanent Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. The study recommendations would form the basis for the employee’s work plan with the initial priorities as follows:
1. Develop a program plan and budget for initiating a full year of services for consideration in the FY10 budget.
2. Implement a pilot program based on interest identified in survey data.
3. Develop opportunities for on-going collaboration with service providers and other community partners.
4. Develop inclusion language for all PRCR communication tools including brochures, registration forms, and web pages.
5. Develop, initiate, and provide staff training.
6. Work with Raleigh Parks and Recreation staff to develop a process for conducting participant assessments.
Fiscal Impact: Alternative 2
In order to fully fund and execute the consultants’ recommendations, a budget amendment would be needed in the Recreation Program budget as follows:
Permanent Salaries and Benefits (Grade 23) - $33,591
Insurance – $6,987
Personnel Total - $40,578
Program Supplies - $2,000
Furniture & Equipment - $3,579
Operations &Maintenance Total - $5,579
Total - $46,157
Staff Recommendation: Acceptance of the study and approval for staff to implement Alternative 1, which is a phased approach that will initiate a number of the study recommendations with the development of a proposal for a new program for consideration during the FY10 budget process. No additional funding is required at this time with this recommendation.