Finding our voice: Why Activity Professionals Must Advocate Within State Associations

I am a member of WRAP-the Wisconsin Representatives of Activity Professionals and on behalf of the WRAP, I have had the privilege of presenting at Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) and the Wisconsin Healthcare Association & the Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WHCA/WiCA) conferences. During these presentations I found myself not just presenting… but advocating. Across from me sat a room filled with young administrators, bright, capable, and eager, many of whom had never fully seen or understood the depth of what we as activity professionals do. Nor had they ever heard of our state and national associations such as WRAP and NAAP. I also would like to point out that there were very few Activity Professionals in attendance at these conferences.

In that moment, I realized something powerful. There was a moment—somewhere between sharing stories, answering questions, and reading the room during presentations—when something truly clicked for me.

They weren’t resisting the value of activity professionals—they simply hadn’t been shown it yet.

And that’s when it became clear to me: our role as activity professionals doesn’t stop at programming or engagement. It extends into education, into leadership, and into advocacy. We have a responsibility to help others see that what we do is not “extra”—it is essential, as finally realized during the pandemic. We are the heart of quality of life. We are connection, purpose, dignity, and joy for those we serve.

That realization shifted something in me.

I began to see every presentation not just as an opportunity to share ideas, but as a chance to influence the future of our profession—to help administrators understand that when they invest in their activity professionals, they are investing in the well-being of their entire community.

That was my “ah-ha” moment!

In today’s Evolving landscape in healthcare the role of the activity professional has never been more essential or more complex, we’re not simply planners of calendars or coordinators of events, we are quality of life specialists, memory makers and often the emotional heartbeat of our communities. Yet too often our voices are underrepresented in the very spaces where decisions are made. State associations play a critical role in shaping policy, education and standards across the states. These organizations influence everything from regulatory direction to professional development opportunities and that is exactly why activity professionals must not sit on the sidelines, we must actively engage, contribute and advocate.

 Why Advocacy Matters:

Activity professionals bring a unique and essential perspective to the table. We understand residents not just through their charts or care plans, but through lived experiences, through their stories, preferences, abilities and emotional needs. When we advocate within state associations, we ensure that the psychosocial well-being, meaningful engagement and dementia care are not afterthoughts but priorities.

Without our input there is a risk that programming becomes viewed as optional rather than essential. Advocacy helps shift that narrative positioning activities as a number one priority of resident centered care.

From Participation to Influence

Advocacy does not always mean standing at a podium or testifying on legislation. It begins with presence. Attending conferences, participating in committees, contributing to discussions and networking with peers are all forms of advocacy.

When activity professionals show up at events hosted by state associations we can:

• Elevate the visibility of our role.
• Build relationships with decision makers.
• Share best practices and innovative ideas
• Influence conversations that shape our profession
• Your voice matters in breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and even informal hallway conversations.

To effectively advocate, we must connect what we do to outcomes that matter to leadership and policymakers this means explaining that activities are just not fun, but they are integral part of therapies that:

• Enhanced cognitive health.
• Reduces behavior expressions in dementia.
• Support mental health and emotional well-being.
• Increase resident satisfaction and family trust.

When we align our work with measurable outcomes, we strengthen our credibility and influence.

There Is Strength In Numbers.

There is power in collective advocacy. When activity professionals unite-through organizations, networks and state associations-we amplify our voice. Collaboration with nursing, administration and other disciplines within associations like WALA and WHCA/WiCAL helps ensure that our role is integrated into the broader care model.

We are stronger when we advocate not just for ourselves but for the residents we serve and the profession we represent.

Call To Action

Now is the time to step forward. join a committee. Attend a conference. Share your expertise. Ask questions. Offer solutions. Tell the stories of your residents and impact of your work.

Advocacy is not about titles-it’s about presence, passion and persistence.

As activity professionals, we already change lives every day. Imagine the impacts we could have if we also help shape the systems that support those lives.

Deborah Smith NAAP Leadership Team 2026