Vision
To create a community environment that promotes healthy leisure lifestyles for individuals who are at risk or have special needs.

Mission
To facilitate the acquisition, development, or maintenance of a variety of functional leisure skills for individuals who may have or be at-risk for physical, emotional, social, cognitive/mental challenges by providing a variety of specialized recreational services. In doing so, the TR/PI office seeks to enhance the quality of life of our consumers.

Description:
Our programming process includes assessment, goal setting, formulation of a written plan, implementation, and evaluation. Purposeful interventions are designed to help consumers grow and to assist them in preventing or relieving challenges through recreation and leisure activities. Traditional and non-traditional activities are facilitated to promote positive self image; leisure awareness, foster socialization skills; teamwork; responsibility and positive choice making through role modeling, behavior management, skill development and recreation participation. (challenge activities, initiatives, cooperative games, arts and crafts, community trips, sports, music, dance, fitness).

History:
Arlington County has a rich history of recreation services and dedicated resources to the design of programs for persons with disabilities. In 1970, Arlington was one of the first municipalities in the Country to hire a professional Therapeutic Recreation staff person. At that time, the office was entitled "Exceptional Children's Programs". In the early years, the services focused on summer camp programs, social clubs, after school bowling, and in-school programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1977, the office was renamed "Special Populations" and began to expand the services to tots, elementary, teens, and adults with special needs. Partial funding was in place until the mid 1980's from the Community Services Board - State funding designated for Mental Retardation Services. In the mid 1980's, the County chose to assume total funding of recreation services for persons with developmental disabilities through the Recreation Division. In 1985, celebrating their 15th anniversary of designated programs and services the office was again renamed to "Therapeutic Recreation". The mission focused on:

To provide opportunities for individuals with mental, social, emotional, and physical limitations to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in community recreation experiences that meet their personal interests and needs. To facilitate and promote lifetime social and leisure skills, and independent functioning, as well as enhance the quality of life for these individuals. To eliminate barriers, develop skills and positive attitudes that will optimize the leisure involvement of residents with disabilities.



The strong tradition for quality services and the promotion of inclusive services for all individuals continues.

Contact person: Shaeron King, Therapeutic Recreation/Prevention Intervention Programmer, (703) 228-4731, (email)
Main office number: (703) 228-4740
TDD number: (703) 228-4743
Office fax number: (703) 228-4757

Address:

300 North Park Drive Arlington, VA 22203 (See a map)

Directions:

From I-66 take the Glebe Road exit ,make a right onto Glebe Road, take a right onto Wilson Blvd, a left unto George Mason Drive, a right onto Park Drive, and first right into parking lot.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Ballston,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10   Nearest Bus Stop: N Henderson/George Mason, 2 minute walk