5.2. PCSR 11-23-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The 1990's NARHA's growth and activities expanded dramatically in the early 1990's as a direct result of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant. The Association spent the funds prudently and most programs were funded for five years. The grant supported national workshops for instructors and newcomers to the industry, regional Program Consultants who visited operating centers at no charge to the center, operating center and individual loans. Conference speakers and workshops, therapeutic riding curriculum development for universities and colleges. trade show exhibits for members to borrow, and a second employee to manage programs associated with the grant. With motivation and manpower provided by the grant, NARHA committees went to work on other programs. The Standards and Accreditation Committees composed a comprehensive "Standards for Operating Centers" document and the Medical Committee wrote "Precautions &Contraindications." Both are considered essential in encouraging high standards in safety and quality of service for the industry and were published as part of the NARHA Guide. The accreditation program living the videotape process was serving the membership well. It was generally felt that the quality of therapeutic riding was improving, largely due to almost 20 years of a diligent accreditation program. However, the educational benefits of on-site reviews were not forgotten and, at the request of the membership, the 1993 NARHA Board of Directors asked an On-Site Accreditation Task Force chaired by Judy Lightfoot to formulate a new on-site process. (This process is being presented at the 1994 Conference.) In 1992, the Instructor Certification Committee added a new level of certification: Certified Instructor. Members applying for this category submitted a videotape of their skills and took a written exam in their region. In 1994, the committee added yet another certification category - Registered Instructor - which was the minimum level of certification. By 1995,NARHA began phasing in a new accreditation requirement: All instructors at NARHA centers must achieve one level of certification - Registered, Certified or Master - to pass accreditation. With the growth in certification, accreditation and educational programs, came growth in the NARITA staff. In 1990, a third employee was added for administrative support and in 1991, the executive director hired one full-time communications coordinator and one part-time administrative assistant. NARHA now had five employees. The NARI-IA board also authorized the executive director to hire a public relations firm in 1992. NARHA began to receive more national publicity, with features in equine magazines, health care trade publications, and cable and network news shows. Increased awareness resulted in a significant jump in requests for information. NARHA's Individual Memberships increased dramatically in the 1990's as well. This was due largely to the increased publicity, increasing numbers of instructors going through