PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2014
ASSEMBLY OF STUDENT DELEGATES
ANNUAL MEETING
ASD ANNUAL MEETING
• The Assembly of Student Delegates (ASD) provides a mechanism for the
expression of student concerns and offers a means whereby students can have
effective input into the affairs of AOTA.
• Annually, ASD Representatives from OT and OTA educational programs across the
country meet to represent their school at the ASD Pre-Conference Meeting.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY’S DISTINCT VALUE
Amy Jo Lamb, OTD, OTRL, FAOTA
“The context surrounding the practice of occupational therapy demands not only the mere
identification of value we bring to health care but articulating that value to our clients, other
health care professionals, organizational administrators, payers, and policymakers”
(Lamb, 2014).
How is occupational
therapy distinctly
different from other
health professions?
Occupational therapy
recognizes the effects
of everyday life on
health and well being.
What is the value of
occupational
therapy?
 healthcare costs
 hospital readmission
 independence
 life satisfaction
Watch and share www.aota.org/otdistinctvalue
Tweet #OTdistinctvalue
PUT EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE: JOIN THE
EVIDENCE EXCHANGE PROJECT
Salvador Bondoc, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CHT, FAOTA
What is the Evidence Exchange?
• Central repository for Critically Appraised Papers (CAPs), at-a-glance
summaries of the findings and methods of selected individual
articles.
• Provides mechanism for sharing information, maximizing capacity,
and avoiding duplication of reviews.
Ongoing Opportunities for Student Participation
• Submit a CAP for inclusion in the Evidence Exchange.
• Criteria for article selection, appraisal process, forms, and
guidelines provided on the AOTA website.
PUT EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE: JOIN THE
EVIDENCE EXCHANGE PROJECT (continued)
Salvador Bondoc, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CHT, FAOTA
Benefits of Evidence Exchange to Users and
Profession
• Completed products may qualify as part of
master’s- and doctoral-level coursework or
independent study.
• Recognizes excellent, professional-level
work of faculty, students, and clinicians.
• Expands the availability of expanded EBP
resources for members.
• Facilitates stronger linkages between
research, education, and practice.
• Puts the Centennial Vision into practice.
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Kimberly Hartmann, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
• AOTA's Special Interest Sections (SISs) connect members to
a vast number of colleagues in the field and areas of
interest through Quarterly Newsletters, discussion
forums, and professional networking communities.
Special Interest Sections (SISs)
Administration & Management SIS Developmental Disabilities SIS
Education SIS
Early Intervention & School SIS
Gerontology SIS
Home & Community Health SIS
Mental Health SIS
Physical Disabilities SIS
Sensory Integration SIS
Technology SIS
Work & Industry SIS
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS (continued)
Kimberly Hartmann, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
•
•
•
•
Roles for Students
Contribute to OT Connections SIS forums.
Contact your SIS of interest and volunteer.
Read the Quarterly Newsletters.
Apply to become a student intern.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
• Policy impacts every area of
practice.
• Advocacy is an investment in the
profession’s future and ultimately
in your career.
• Clear policies will limit others’
ability to encroach on OT practice
areas and protect consumers.
• Other professionals will be
advocating for their role – When
we’re silent, we lose!
• Advocacy changes policy.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS (continued)
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
AOTA’s Role in Advocacy
AOTA Federal Affairs
• Crafts, tracks, and influences legislation in Congress.
• Promotes best interest of the profession.
• Educates members of Congress.
• Collaborates with groups with shared interests.
• Supports and encourages grassroots activities.
AOTA Regulatory Affairs
• Advocates for the profession with federal agencies.
• Analyzes and advocates on federal regulatory changes.
• Communicates the policy changes to AOTA members.
AOTA State Affairs
• Monitors and analyzes all state legislation.
• Provides assistance to state OT associations on the key
issues in each state.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS;
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH POLITICAL ACTION
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTPAC Chair
What legislation is important to our profession?
•
•
Medicare Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Cap
– Arbitrary cap on outpatient therapy under Medicare set in
1999.
– Congress just passed a 12-month “patch” extending the
exceptions process through March 31, 2015.
– Working on a long-term solution.
Mental health
– Working to pass the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Act
(HR 1037 and S 1815) which will make occupational therapists
eligible to participate in the National Health Services Corps
[NHSC] Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs as mental
and behavioral health professionals.
– Working to expand roles of OT practitioners in community
settings and schools.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS;
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH POLITICAL ACTION
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTPAC Chair
What legislation is important to our profession?
• Quality initiatives
– Ensure that OT is included in quality initiatives designed to better
measure the quality of care and data; this includes better measuring
outcomes and costs for post-acute care and development of quality
indicators for inpatient rehab facilities.
• Home health
– Allow OT to be the first professional to treat in the home.
• Scope of practice
– Other professions trying to expand their role and limit our role (i.e.,
athletic trainers, physical therapists, recreational therapists, speechlanguage pathologists
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH POLITICAL ACTION
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA
The American Occupational Therapy Political
Action Committee (AOTPAC) is the political action
arm of AOTA that complements AOTA’s public
policy agenda and supports its lobbying efforts.
• AOTPAC raises funds from members and OT/OTA
student organizations.
• The AOTPAC Board, made up of OT practitioners,
recommends contributions to key legislators and
candidates that support our causes.
• AOTPAC contributions help to elect and re-elect our
allies who share our priorities.
• AOTA lobbyists can use AOTPAC contributions to
attend fundraisers and get one-on-one time with
legislators and their staff.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH POLITICAL ACTION
(continued)
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ways for students to get involved in political action
Contact your school’s Assembly of Student Delegates (ASD) representative to
find out how your OT or OTA student organization can assist AOTPAC through the
Student Challenge.
AOTPAC can only solicit contributions from AOTA members. AOTA membership
dues cannot be used to support candidates.
The most basic level of advocacy is AOTA membership. Join now and maintain
your membership so that your dues can be used to support the voice of OT on
Capitol Hill.
Engage in advocacy efforts sponsored by AOTA, such as calls to contact your
representative about a particular issue.
Attend Capitol Hill Day on Monday, September 15th in Washington, DC, for a free
legislative briefing followed by visits to your U.S. Representatives and Senators.
Use the Legislative Action Center on the AOTA website to send a quick email
regarding a bill to your Representative or Senator.
If you don’t stand for OT, who will?
Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) Network
•
•
Hector L. Borrero, MBA, OTR/L, CAPS; & Rivka Molinsky, PhD, OTR/L
Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) is independent groups supporting the
profession’s goal to increase diversity and inclusion. MDI provides
– a caucus for a collective voice,
– support for students in understanding various cultures and impact on patient care,
– support for faculty in addressing the needs of diverse students, and
– support for practitioners meeting needs of clients in diverse settings.
Multicultural Networking Groups
– Asian/Pacific Heritage Occupational Therapy Association (APHOTA)
– National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (NBOTC)
– Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns in Occupational Therapy (The
Network)
– Network for Native American Practitioners (NNAP)
– Network for Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities and Their Supporters (NOTPD)
– Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Chavursa (OJOTC)
– Terapia Ocupacional para Diversidad, Oportunidad y Solidaridad (TODOS) Network of Hispanic
Practitioners
Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) Network
(continued)
Hector L. Borrero, MBA, OTR/L, CAPS; & Rivka Molinsky, PhD, OTR/L
Students’ Role in the MDI Network
• Advocate for diversity and inclusion among peers, classmates, and
friends at educational institutions.
• Encourage your peers to join the network that meets their needs.
REVITALIZING A SOTA
Samantha Simons, OTS; Mary Georgen, OTS; Stephanie Fay, OTS; Erin Landgraf,
OTS; & Cynthia Matlock, MBA, OTR/L, Faculty Mentor
•
•
•
•
•
Top 10 Tips for Student Occupational Therapy Associations
Use social media (e.g., organization website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and keep
it up-to-date.
Advocate for promoting occupational therapy at SOTA events, such as through
passing out fliers and explaining the value of the profession to others.
Stay organized and consistent.
Make meetings fun and interesting (i.e., plan a themed meeting such as
pajama night, beach party, or adaptive cooking night).
Inform SOTA members and potential members about the benefits of getting
involved.
REVITALIZING A SOTA (continued)
Samantha Simons, OTS, Mary Georgen, OTS, Stephanie Fay, OTS; Erin Landgraf,
OTS, & Cynthia Matlock, MBA, OTR/L, Faculty Mentor
•
•
•
•
•
Tips for SOTAs (continued)
Let all SOTA members know your mission and goals
for the year, as well as AOTA’s purpose and mission.
Reward members who are involved (i.e., annual
awards, social celebrations).
Transition new leadership early. Officers will better
understand their roles for the next year if the past
leader provides mentorship.
Let members have a say in the organization by
opening meetings for discussion and encouraging
participation.
Get involved in your state and national OT
association. Encourage participation in state and
national conferences.
Presidential Address: Leading into your Future
Virginia (Ginny) Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA
• Develop your connections.
• Be open to opportunities.
• Find and exercise your voice—
advocate.
• Pay attention to needs in your
practice and your profession—
innovate.
• Seek out, use, and add
evidence.
• Know that clarity will come.
GET INVOLVED
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create a volunteer profile in the AOTA COOL Database.
Apply for fieldwork opportunities at AOTA.
Apply to AOTA’s Emerging Leaders Development Program.
Attend the 2014 AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave in St. Louis, Missouri,
November 14-15, 2014, and AOTA Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville, TN,
April 16-19, 2015.
Follow ASD and AOTA on social media (i.e., OT Connections, Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube).
Set up a Boardroom to Classroom presentation for your peers, a 1-hour-long
teleconference to increase knowledge about professional issues and
opportunities.
Ask your ASD Representative about more opportunities to get involved.
GET INVOLVED
You are the future of the profession.
Pledge to stay an active AOTA member after graduation, through your
transition to professional practice, and through the 100th anniversary of
occupational therapy in 2017 and beyond.
Join the Centennial Commitment today at www.aota.org/SCC.
REFERENCES
Bondoc, S. (2014, April 2). Put evidence into practice: Join the Evidence Exchange
project. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual
Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Borrerro, H., & Molinsky, R. (2014, April 2). MDI network. PowerPoint presented at the
Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Fisher, G. (2014, April 2). AOTPAC: Empowerment through political action. PowerPoint
presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Hartmann, K. (2014, April 2). Special Interest Sections. PowerPoint presented at the
Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Lamb, A. (2014, April 2). Occupational therapy’s distinct value. PowerPoint presented
at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Ray, J. (2014, April 2). Why advocacy matters. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly
of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Simons, S., Georgen, G., Fay, S., Landgraf, E., & Matlock, C. (2014, April 2). Revitalizing
a SOTA. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual
Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
Stoffel, G. (2014, April 2). Presidential address: Leading into your future. PowerPoint
presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.