Recommendation 20260226-013: Budget Recommendation to the City Council regarding Therapeutic Recreation Program — original pdf

Recommendation

. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260226-013: Budget Recommendation to the City Council regarding Therapeutic Recreation Program WHEREAS, the City of Austin sponsors the Therapeutic Recreation Program through the Parks and Recreation Department providing activity-based interventions to improve the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social functioning of individuals with disabilities; WHEREAS, the Therapeutic Recreation Program is held at parks around the city, often serving under resourced members of the community; WHEREAS, constituents have raised concerns about wait list times and limited locations of the program, which creates barriers to participation for those that need it most; and WHEREAS, additional funding could expand locations and improve services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to allocate additional funds to the Therapeutic Recreation Program with the goal of expanding the locations of services and reducing wait list times. Date of Approval: February 22, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Chang Seconded By: Chair Afifi Vote: 7-0 For: Chair Afifi, Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Benson, Chang, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, and Thakkar Against: None Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)