Education Sessions
Since 1980, ATA education sessions have been unified by an annual theme, and have been
approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for continuing education contact
hours until 1989, when IDPH discontinued course approval. From 1989-1992, the Illinois
Activity Professionals Association (IAPA) approved the ATA education sessions, until it
discontinued course approval. ATA education sessions were then approved by the National
Certification Council of Activity Professionals (NCCAP) until the fall of 1997 when Triton College
Continuing Education Center for Health Professionals (CECHP) began approving ATA’s
education sessions. In the fall of 2001, the ATA education sessions were approved by Oakton
Community College Alliance for Lifelong Learning Continuing Education Center for Health
Professionals (ALCECHP). Beginning in 2009, Oakton Community College will no longer
sponsor ATA's continuing education credits. All ATA's education sessions will continue to meet
NCCAP and IAPA requirement for the body of knowledge/curriculum content for Activity
Professionals' certification or re-certification.
ATA members, facility representatives, and guests attending the education sessions and/or
special workshops held during September through June (with no December education session)
receive the ATA Certificate of Attendance with a specified number of continuing education
hours It is essential that attendees sign-in at the education sessions and complete the
session’s evaluation form at the close of the education session. Individual education session
certificates are issued for the continuing education credit of 2.0 clock hours for the general
education sessions and 6.0 clock hours for the September workshop. The membership chair
distributes this certificate at the close of the education session.
Note: NCTRC does not pre-approve any continuing education. NCTRC and NCCAP have not
reviewed or approved the content of ATA’s education sessions, and does not endorse or
sponsor any of the activities of the ATA.
ATA Education Year 2009-2010
“Activities: Providing Meaning and Purpose for Life”
Registration/Business Meeting 1:00 p.m. – Education Session 1:30-3:30 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)
Dates & Locations *subject to change; refer to future issues of ATA Life
September 16: Alzheimer’s Disease: Research Update, Behavior as a Form of
Communication, and Programming for Individuals with Memory Loss.
Pam Smith, MA Ed.
St. Andrew Life Center, 7000 N. Newark, Niles, IL 60714 847/647-8332
October 21: Becoming Playful: Laughter Yoga, Improv, Acting, Conducting and More.
Rita Lopienski, MA, RMT, CAC
St. Matthew Center for Health, 1601 N. Western Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068
847/825-5531
November 18: Already Home: Inclusive Programming and Policies for the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Elders Who Are “Already” Living in Your Care
Setting.
Serena Worthington, MAAT
Lincolnwood Place, 7200 N. McCormick Blvd., Lincolnwood, IL 60712
January 20: Creative Arts.
Kaye Pryor, MAAT
Norwood Crossing, 6016 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631 773/631-4856
February 17: Dance/Movement Therapy
Gretta Polo, MA
Westminster Place, 3200 Grant St., Evanston, IL 60201 847/492-4872
March 10: Inside Out and Outside In: Practical Ways to Incorporate Nature and
Gardening into Your Program.
Carla Smith, BS, RMT
Bethesda Home, 2833 N. Nordica, Chicago, IL 60634 773/836-3254
April 21: Engaging Short Stay Residents
Ryan Gauthier, MS, CMT, CEMT-B
Lee Manor, 1301 Lee St., DesPlaines, IL 60018 847/635-4000
May 19: Living and Dying: A Spiritual Experience.
Loretta S. Downs, MA
St. Pauls House and Health Care Center, 3800 N. California, Chicago, IL 60618
773/478-4222
June 16: Adapting Activities.
Paula Tagliere, ADC
Westminster Place, 3200 W. Grant, Evanston, IL 60201 847/492-4872
Activity Assistant Workshop
June 8: Patricia Luster, CNA and humorist, will share "The Best Friends Approach"
King Home, 1555 Oak Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 847/866-2125
*ATA meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. with a short business meeting. The education
session follows immediately. The session ends at 3:30 p.m.
*Participants must sign-in at each meeting and stay for the entire education session in
order to receive continuing education hours.
Since 1980, ATA education sessions have been unified by an annual theme, and have been
approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for continuing education contact
hours until 1989, when IDPH discontinued course approval. From 1989-1992, the Illinois
Activity Professionals Association (IAPA) approved the ATA education sessions, until it
discontinued course approval. ATA education sessions were then approved by the National
Certification Council of Activity Professionals (NCCAP) until the fall of 1997 when Triton College
Continuing Education Center for Health Professionals (CECHP) began approving ATA’s
education sessions. In the fall of 2001, the ATA education sessions were approved by Oakton
Community College Alliance for Lifelong Learning Continuing Education Center for Health
Professionals (ALCECHP). Beginning in 2009, Oakton Community College will no longer
sponsor ATA's continuing education credits. All ATA's education sessions will continue to meet
NCCAP and IAPA requirement for the body of knowledge/curriculum content for Activity
Professionals' certification or re-certification.
ATA members, facility representatives, and guests attending the education sessions and/or
special workshops held during September through June (with no December education session)
receive the ATA Certificate of Attendance with a specified number of continuing education
hours It is essential that attendees sign-in at the education sessions and complete the
session’s evaluation form at the close of the education session. Individual education session
certificates are issued for the continuing education credit of 2.0 clock hours for the general
education sessions and 6.0 clock hours for the September workshop. The membership chair
distributes this certificate at the close of the education session.
Note: NCTRC does not pre-approve any continuing education. NCTRC and NCCAP have not
reviewed or approved the content of ATA’s education sessions, and does not endorse or
sponsor any of the activities of the ATA.
ATA Education Year 2009-2010
“Activities: Providing Meaning and Purpose for Life”
Registration/Business Meeting 1:00 p.m. – Education Session 1:30-3:30 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)
Dates & Locations *subject to change; refer to future issues of ATA Life
September 16: Alzheimer’s Disease: Research Update, Behavior as a Form of
Communication, and Programming for Individuals with Memory Loss.
Pam Smith, MA Ed.
St. Andrew Life Center, 7000 N. Newark, Niles, IL 60714 847/647-8332
October 21: Becoming Playful: Laughter Yoga, Improv, Acting, Conducting and More.
Rita Lopienski, MA, RMT, CAC
St. Matthew Center for Health, 1601 N. Western Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068
847/825-5531
November 18: Already Home: Inclusive Programming and Policies for the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Elders Who Are “Already” Living in Your Care
Setting.
Serena Worthington, MAAT
Lincolnwood Place, 7200 N. McCormick Blvd., Lincolnwood, IL 60712
January 20: Creative Arts.
Kaye Pryor, MAAT
Norwood Crossing, 6016 N. Nina Ave., Chicago, IL 60631 773/631-4856
February 17: Dance/Movement Therapy
Gretta Polo, MA
Westminster Place, 3200 Grant St., Evanston, IL 60201 847/492-4872
March 10: Inside Out and Outside In: Practical Ways to Incorporate Nature and
Gardening into Your Program.
Carla Smith, BS, RMT
Bethesda Home, 2833 N. Nordica, Chicago, IL 60634 773/836-3254
April 21: Engaging Short Stay Residents
Ryan Gauthier, MS, CMT, CEMT-B
Lee Manor, 1301 Lee St., DesPlaines, IL 60018 847/635-4000
May 19: Living and Dying: A Spiritual Experience.
Loretta S. Downs, MA
St. Pauls House and Health Care Center, 3800 N. California, Chicago, IL 60618
773/478-4222
June 16: Adapting Activities.
Paula Tagliere, ADC
Westminster Place, 3200 W. Grant, Evanston, IL 60201 847/492-4872
Activity Assistant Workshop
June 8: Patricia Luster, CNA and humorist, will share "The Best Friends Approach"
King Home, 1555 Oak Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 847/866-2125
*ATA meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. with a short business meeting. The education
session follows immediately. The session ends at 3:30 p.m.
*Participants must sign-in at each meeting and stay for the entire education session in
order to receive continuing education hours.
ATA Life
Newsletter
Newsletter
