For Immediate Release: October 7, 2014
The Foundation for Life Care Planning Research (FLCPR) and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) have agreed to transition the management of the International Symposium on Life Care Planning (ISLCP) from FLCPR to IARP in 2016. The announcement of the transition was made during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Symposium in Minneapolis late last month.
The primary focus of the FLCPR is to support research on the reliability and validity of the life care planning process. Founded by Dr. Paul Deutsch in 2002, the Foundation has since broadened its scope to consider any well-developed research design in the life care planning field that makes a significant contribution to the population of individuals with disabilities that life care planners seek to serve.
IARP, founded in 1980, optimizes career advantage in a dynamic field of rehabilitation today by focusing on the private sector and the wealth of opportunity it affords for private sector careers. IARP members are involved in disability and case management, vocational rehabilitation, forensics, medical management and life care planning. The association has 2700 members located in North America.
In making the announcement of the agreement to the 200 attendees of the Symposium, Foundation Chair Susan Riddick-Grisham said, “The Foundation came to a stage where we wanted to reaffirm our goal of focusing on research to benefit the life care planning community. We wanted to partner with an organization that could assume the management of the Symposium. It needed the experience to work with life care planning leaders to showcase the best that the Symposium offers and maintain its tradition of excellence. We are pleased IARP agreed to make a continuing financial contribution to the Foundation’s research aims.”
During the joint announcement IARP President Lynne Tracy referred to IARP’s strategic plan and its three areas of focus: education, research, and government affairs and legislation. She stated on several occasions, “The agreement with the Foundation and its decision to concentrate on research go hand-in-hand with IARP’s focus on supporting research.”
“As a result, part of IARP’s commitment to research in life care planning, IARP will be to make an annual contribution of $5000 for each of the next five years.”
The terms of the agreement include a cooperative effort between IARP and the Foundation for the 2015 Symposium to be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., September 17–20, at the Doubletree Resort. Members of both the Foundation and IARP staffs will work collaboratively to promote the 21st Symposium. In 2016 IARP will be responsible for the management of the event.
Patty Costantini, chair of the Life Care Planning IALCP section of IARP, participated in the transition planning-discussions. “It was a pleasure to participate in such a well reasoned and civil process. Everyone involved was focused on how best to serve all those who are stakeholders in the practice of life care planning. We are looking forward to working together for the Symposium in 2015 and anticipate a smooth transition in the following years.”
IARP member Steve Yuhas, who represents the Life Care Planning IALCP Section on the IARP Board of Directors, commented, “I am so excited and honored about how both organizations were able to maintain their primary focus of addressing the needs of the life care planning community. This decision will truly benefit the life care planners we serve, and it will further rehabilitation research efforts for years to come.”
For Information Contact: Carl Wangman
888-427-7722
carlw@tcag.com
# # #