The Therapeutic Recreation Service Line was initiated on November 1, 2022 as the newest edition to the service offerings available through AWARE. Therapeutic Recreation Services were designed to be a strength-based service focusing on the individual’s lifestyle. TR specifically looks at the person’s personal goals, dreams and aspirations. The key question, “What is a life worth living?” is an important question to pose when cultivating meaning, engagement and purpose in daily lifestyle.
TR utilizes the person’s strengths gathered at the initial assessment to then formulate an individualized plan to include measurable objectives and interventions. The objectives then guide the TR staff member to design sessions that will support the person in attaining the desired level of independence and to increase the person’s functional capacity to attain their personal goals.
By focusing on personal strengths and interests, TR supports treatment outcomes in symptom management, coping/ resiliency skills, social and relationship skills, leisure awareness and education, health and wellness, fitness, independent living, and community integration. One key difference in TR provision of service is the utilization of preferred experiential, leisure and recreative experiences to achieve the desired goals.
Primary trends in desired services from our members include:
The desire to fully integrate into their local community as a true citizen,
Build authentic and meaningful friendships as well as
Initiate a fitness plan to strengthen and/ or increase mobility.
Additionally, members have expressed interest in symptom management as well as adapting recreation to fit their individual needs due to limitation.
Referrals & Eligibility
TR Services are open for referrals to activate services. To qualify, the individual must have a current diagnosis, health limitation or disability that has created limitations or restrictions to participation in life situations. We are currently collaborating with the SDMI Service Line, FACT as well as DD Residential in providing services. TR service locations across the state include Anaconda, Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula. We are currently seeking staff to initiate services in Miles City as well as the Polson/ St Ignatius area.
In addition to Therapeutic Recreation, the TR Service Line has recently welcomed a new service option with our Mind Body Wellness Program. Initiated in April 2024, this service utilizes evidence-based practice to support the individual in their goals for health and wellness. Services include practices in MEDITATION- mindfulness and breathwork, MOVEMENT- yoga, and mindful movement and MINDSET- compassion, empathy, gratitude, pain management, and mental wellness. Through initial assessment, the mind body program will create measurable objectives to guide service specific to the client’s identified goals for enhanced wellness. Mind Body Wellness is available to our clients in individual and group sessions.
AWARE’s Mind Body Wellness Coordinator, Jacquie Peterson, is currently accepting referrals to initiate services to our clients. Please reach out to Jacquie for more information!
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