ARPA 2010 Annual Conference

Hosted by City of Seward

September 22 - 25, 2010

Session Information

Call for Proposals: Please click on the following link to download the Educational Session Form. This form is presented in Word format and can be saved to your computer. Please complete the form and return by any of the following:

Email (as an attachment) by clicking here

Fax: (907) 224-7793

US Mail:

Independent Living Center

c/o Emily Gustafson, ARPA Program Committee Chair

P.O. Box 3523

Seward, AK 99664

Please call with any questions: (907) 224-8711

ARPA Education Session Listing 2010

September 22nd: Pre-Conference Sessions:

Serving Customer with Disabilities: Reaching Out and Expanding Your Market

About one in five Americans has a disability, representing the largest minority group in America.  Being welcoming and accessible to customers with disabilities is not just a legal issue, or “nice-to-do”, it’s also good business sense.  This program has been designed for any organization who wants to improve their effectiveness in serving the full range of their customer base of or anyone who interacts with the public during the course of their work. 

Reaching Individuals with Disabilities: Accessibility in Federal, State or Municipal Entities

One of several issues under the ADA that continues to be a barrier is how state and local governments can fully accommodate their constituents, including constituents with disabilities.  Civil rights responsibilities are part of every American’s rights.  This course is to assist with both physical and programmatic requirements of the ADA as state and local government continue to work toward inclusion. 

ADAAA- The American’s with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008: What you Don’t Know Can Hurt You 

In 1990 the US Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act with the intent of prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.  In the years following the passage of the ADA, the judicial system narrowed the definition of what a disability was, far beyond the intent of the legislation.  In 2008 congress acted to clarify this definition.  The resulting legislation is the ADAAA, which became law on January 1st, 2009.

NEW - Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Instructor Class (for more than Aquatics professionals)

Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program Is a warm-water (83-90) exercise program that incorporates gentle activities in a friendly and supportive atmosphere in which people  make new friends and try new activities. Update in 2009, this program is proven to decrease pain and depression and improve functional ability, range of motion, muscle strength and aerobic fitness in participants. This class is 8 hours in length, with 3 hours in the pool.

Thursday, September 23rd:

Teen Zone

  A panel of “Teen Experts” will share their thoughts and ideas for programming for their specific age and needs.  Members of the Seward Teen Council will be available for questions and ideas to help you create programs, events and facilities that this population will want to be a part of.  Members will also share their experiences on the Teen Council, a group of High School students who help develop & host events for the Teen & Youth Center and the community of Seward.  Teen Council celebrating 25 years in 2010!

Bird Point Recreational Area: A Study in Change

  The Chugach State Park Bird Point way side was built with concern for the impact the development would have on the trails and natural beauty of the point. This session will present the findings of a pre and post development study of recreational impacts on the area.  Before the development, and again this past summer, APU students and faculty measured the informal trails using methodology used throughout North America to assess trail depth, width, and related impacts.  The students will be presenting their methodology and findings. 

Seward Wellness For All group

Collaborative group of individuals from the community, including healthcare, private business, non-profits, and individual advocates, providing partnerships and resources for wellness initiatives and programs to benefit Seward residents.

Standing With Both Feet in the Air!

Like the Energizer Bunny you want your sessions to keep going with participants excited to be there. This session holds activities for groups of all ages - Ice-breakers, energizers, team-building and communication skills—you will certainly develop your resources and have fun!

UV for Aquatic Air and Water Quality

Ultraviolet technology has become the standard for removing the odor, irritation and enhanced corrosion associated with indoor pools. Additionally, health codes are requiring UV for spray features to address pathogens resistant to chlorine.  UV systems a fully automated and easy to retrofit into existing filter rooms.  UV continuously removes chlorines negative Disinfection-By-Products (DBP’s) and also highly disinfects pathogens like Cryptosporidium “Crypto”. 

Are you AAK in the WWW?

Get the 411 on social networks. Employers want to influence how they are represented on social network sites and take advantage of their benefits.  Frontline supervisors have to be aware of texting habits in order to communicate effectively with their staff.  This session will identify the prominent social networking sites as well as describe preferred employer referencing in social networking and summarize the status of texting and cautions for its appropriate use at work. 

The Mis-Measure of Water

Most staff want to do a good job given the appropriate background information they will do so.  This session provides numerous approaches to enhancing the front line staff members’ math confidence which in turn allows them to identify problems earlier and understand qualitative water changes. 

NEW - Customer Service and Informal Visitor Contacts

This workshop will cover basic customer service, including verbal and nonverbal communication skills. It will help participants observe visitor cues to determine actual visitor needs, and provide skills in moving from orientation, information and interpretation.

NEW - The Mis-Measure of Water & Industry Standards or Best Practices

Most staff want to do a good jobl given the appropriate background information they will do so.  This session provides numerous approaches to enhancing the front line staff members’ math confidence which in turn allows them to identify problems earlier and understand qualitative water changes.  This session also covers the state of Alaska’s web page and book on state regulations, command pool practices as well as identify the current pool standards and state requirements.  Local resources to assist with water balance will be covered as well as how to collect data sources to support efficient operations. 

Friday September 24th

NEW - Exit Glacier Guided Walk For Professionals                                                                                        8-10:30am

 This guided walk (1.5 hours) is designed to accompany the session titled Conducted Activities. It is recommended that participants attend both sessions. The walk will not be only content-based as we explore a glacial ecosystem, but will also attempt to demonstrate the theories and techniques discussed during the session about Conducted Activities – Setting the Stage, Knowing Your Audience, Moving from Tangibles to Intangibles/Universals using Appropriate Techniques, etc.

Parks and Recreation Risk Management and Safety

Whether your job is planner, front line programmer, turf tech, interpreter, lifeguard, administrator or customer service – YOU are a part of the SAFE team for all aspects of parks and recreation.  Join this session; learn to see safety in every step.  Students will be able to reduce or mitigate risk in as many areas of Parks and Recreation as there are applications as professionals. 

The History of the Iditarod Trail and the Running of the Iditarod Race

This session includes a stimulating slideshow portraying the history of the Iditarod trail with an emphasis on Seward’s part in that history.  Dan Seavey will also speak from a first-hand perspective as a participant in the first Iditarod race in 1973.  This historical session will also touch on the current effort to preserve the Historic Trail, the origins of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and subsequent races. 

Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults-General Audience

This session will discuss how to recognize and respond to abuse and neglect of seniors and people with disabilities.  Topics covered will include mandatory reporting, how to report and signs of abuse.   This session will present basic information on abuse and neglect prevention. 

Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults Targeting Seniors and Aging

This session will discuss how to recognize and respond to abuse and neglect of seniors and people with disabilities.  Topics covered will include mandatory reporting, how to report and signs of abuse.   This session will have an in-depth focus targeting those working with seniors and aging populations.  

Fun and Effective Aquatic Inservice Training

Inservice training is necessary, but it does not have to be boring.  This session reveals several games and strategies to encourage your staff to practice their skills accurately and work together as a team. 

WISE - Wellness Initiative for Senior Education

The WISE program is designed to celebrate healthy aging and educate older adults in preventing problems associated with alcohol and medications to help them make positive lifestyle choices as they age. Participants are provided with information and resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle and feel empowered about their health and healthcare they receive.  This session will be an overview of the program intertwined with hands-on activities.

KEEP CHECKING BACK - MORE TO COME SOON!

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Alaska Recreation and Parks Association  *  PO Box 100161  *  Anchorage, AK 99510-0161