2015 ASSEMBLY OF STUDENT DELEGATES
ANNUAL MEETING: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
ASD Annual Meeting
• The mission of the Assembly of Student Delegates is to support student members
of AOTA by communicating their interests and advancing their professional
contributions.
• This Assembly promotes Association membership and provides a forum for the
development of student leadership and political awareness to enhance the
viability of the profession.
• Annually, ASD representatives from OT and OTA educational programs across the
country meet to represent their schools at the ASD Annual Meeting.
Student Opportunities and Resources
Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee
• Boardroom to Classroom
– One-hour teleconference between students and a member of AOTA’s Board of
Directors to increase knowledge about professional issues and opportunities.
• Outstanding Student Advocacy Award
– New AOTA Award that will be open for nominations for one OT or OTA student or
student group in fall of 2015.
• Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee Elections
– All students are encouraged to apply, not just ASD Representatives.
– Open for nominations in early September.
– Open positions: OT Vice Chairperson, OTA Vice Chairperson, Student Rep to the
Commission on Education, Student Rep to the Representative Assembly (2-year terms)
• Student Occupational Therapy Association Handbook
– Tips on how to develop and strengthen your SOTA, including
best practices on running a meeting, elections, officer
positions, advocacy, fundraising, community service,
professional development opportunities, and more.
Student Opportunities and Resources
•
Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee
Student Membership Circle
– Benefits program to support and recognize student
membership initiatives:
• Gold Level: 100% AOTA Student Membership
• Silver Level: 80% AOTA Student Membership
• Bronze Level: 75% AOTA Student Membership
– Benefits include acknowledgement in AOTA publications and
website, special privileges and acknowledgment at Annual
Conference, entry into a $250 award raffle, and one free
student registration at Conference (programs with 100% AOTA
membership).
– Applications due late October 2015.
•
AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave
– November 13-14, 2015
– Valley Forge (Suburban Philadelphia), Pennsylvania
– Registration will open in summer of 2015.
•
OT Student Pulse
– Monthly e-newsletter available to AOTA student members
– Students are encouraged to submit article ideas.
Student Opportunities and Resources
Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee
• COOL Database
– Create a personal volunteer profile and you will be
contacted by AOTA staff if volunteer opportunities arise
that match your areas of interest, years of experience,
and amount of time you have available for volunteering.
• Scholarships
– AOTF Scholarship Program
• Over 50 AOTF and state scholarships ranging in
value from $150 to $5,000 are open for applications
each fall.
– E.K. Wise Scholarship
• Three awards granted in the amount of $2,500 to
support students from diverse backgrounds;
application deadline is May 5, 2015.
• Emerging Leaders Development Program
– Leadership development program that includes training,
ongoing mentorship, and participation in current service
opportunities that match each participant’s own
leadership goals; applications due May 11, 2015.
AOTA's NBCOT® Exam Prep
Caroline Polk, MS, AOTA Digital Manager and AJOT Managing Editor
Contents of AOTA’s NBCOT® Exam Prep
• Online practice tests for OTR® and COTA® examinations:
• 937 OTR® questions
• 77 OTR® clinical simulations
• 690 COTA® questions.
• Topic outlines for 19 topics.
• Handouts with Testing Tips and information about the
NBCOT® exams.
Features
• Includes retired COTA® and OTR® questions and other questions written
by board members with experience writing NBCOT® items.
• Provides tool for tracking progress, including strengths and weaknesses.
• Practice tests can be customized to users’ needs.
• Explanations for correct and incorrect answers are provided.
• Offers timed and untimed options (exam and practice modes).
Join AOTA’s Exam Prep Info Center Facebook group to share tips, offer support, and ask questions.
Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) Network
Hector L. Borrero, MBA, OTR/L, CAPS, Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson
• The Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion (MDI) Network is made up of
independent groups that support the profession’s goal to increase diversity
and inclusion.
• 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)
– Occupational Therapy Network for Native Americans (OTNA)
– 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
• MDI Tool Kits provide resources for understanding the specific values, norms,
beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with different cultural groups.
Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) Network
(continued)
Hector L. Borrero, MBA, OTR/L, CAPS, Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson
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.
AOTA’s Special Interest Sections and You!
Donna Costa, DHS, OTR/L, FAOTA, SIS Council Chairperson
• AOTA's Special Interest Sections (SISs) support the needs of members,
focusing on specific areas of practice while recognizing that the integration
of various interests defines our practice.
• SISs connect with members 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
AOTA’s Special Interest Sections and You!
(continued)
Donna Costa, DHS, OTR/L, FAOTA, SIS Council Chairperson
Joining Special Interest Sections
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When you join AOTA, your membership allows you to join three SIS groups; one
of these is primary and you receive that SIS Quarterly Newsletter in the mail.
Your membership gives you access to all 11 SIS Quarterly Newsletters online.
You also have voting rights in your primary SIS.
How to Get Involved as a Student
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Contribute to OT Connections SIS forums.
Contact your SIS of interest and volunteer.
Read the Quarterly Newsletters.
Apply to become a student intern.
Cultivating Leaders of Tomorrow: Building
Capacity and Creating Our Collective Futures
Virginia (Ginny) Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA, AOTA President
• Engagement: Be a model of
professional engagement.
• Exploration: Opportunities for
leadership are wide open--find your
passion, stretch your skills. The sky’s
the limit!
• Empowerment: Know that we need
your voice and action.
• Servant leadership is serving to lead
and leading to serve:
– Building capacity in self
– Building capacity in others
– Building capacity in organizations
Updates on the Entry-Level Doctorate Dialogue
Virginia (Ginny) Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA, AOTA President
• In response to the changing demands of higher education, the health care
environment, and within occupational therapy, it is the position of the
AOTA Board of Directors that the profession should take action to
transition toward a doctoral-level single point of entry for occupational
therapists, with a target date of 2025.
– The only group that has the authority to require a transition is the Accreditation
Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), and a decision has not yet
been decided.
– If a mandate for doctoral-level single point entry does occur, there would be
enough time for schools to make the transition, and it will only apply to students
who graduate after that time.
– The Board encourages a profession-wide dialogue on this critical issue.
• Learn more and provide your feedback.
Updates on the Entry-Level Doctorate Dialogue
Virginia (Ginny) Stoffel, PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA, AOTA President
Strengths
Weaknesses
More clarity about competency and educational
requirements for a single entry-level degree.
•
Increased debt load for graduates.
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Unknown cost/benefit to stakeholders.
Better reflects the content and academic workload being
demanded by the profession/society.
•
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Shortage of qualified faculty to teach doctoral
students.
Meets societal expectations for healthcare professionals;
OT practitioners will be at the same level as most other
members of the health care team.
•
A big gap between the entry-level degree for OT and
OTA.
•
Opportunities
•
Threats
Increased content in areas addressing changing
healthcare delivery models.
•
Diversity in the profession.
•
Number of applicants.
•
Increased faculty; OTD would meet the need for clinical
and OTA educators.
•
Lack of qualified FW educators and sites.
•
Expand into more “nontraditional” fieldwork sites and
demonstrate OT’s distinct contributions.
•
Lack of schools prepared to deliver quality doctoral
programs.
•
Increased professional autonomy and more opportunities
to take on leadership roles on interdisciplinary teams.
•
Lack of distinction between the post-professional
OTD and the entry-level OTD designation.
Federal Affairs Update
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
Why advocate?
• 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.
#OTadvocate
Federal Affairs Update (continued)
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
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•
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•
•
AOTA’s Role in Advocacy
Crafts, tracks, and influences state and federal
legislation.
Promotes best interests of the profession.
Educates elected officials and policymakers.
Collaborates with groups with shared interests.
Supports and encourages grassroots activities.
Analyzes and advocates on federal regulatory
changes.
Provides assistance to state OT associations on the
key legislative and regulatory issues in each state.
Communicates the policy changes to AOTA
members.
Federal Affairs Update (continued)
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
What legislation is important to our profession?
• Medicare Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Cap
– Arbitrary cap on outpatient therapy under Medicare set in
1999.
– AOTA members made their voices heard, sending 20,000
letters to their representatives and senators. Despite large
support in the Senate, the therapy cap repeal amendment
failed to pass on April 17 by two votes.
– However, thanks to advocacy efforts, the therapy cap
exceptions process was extended through 2017.
– Working on a long-term solution.
Federal Affairs Update (continued)
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
What legislation is important to our profession?
• 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.
• The bill will expand the number of OT practitioners working in mental health
and expand opportunities for states to reimburse OT for mental health
services.
– As part of the SGR/Therapy Cap extension bill, Congress passed the
“Excellence in Mental Health” demonstration project which creates a
criteria for “Community Behavioral Health Clinics,” entities designed to
serve individuals with serious mental illness that provide intensive,
person-centered, multidisciplinary services.
• OT is a recommended service due to OT advocacy.
Federal Affairs Update (continued)
John Ray, AOTA Legislative Representative
What legislation is important to our profession?
• No Child Left Behind
– Advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapy services for students with
disabilities and rights of these students to be educated in the least restrictive
environment.
• The Affordable Care Act
– Monitoring habilitation and rehabilitation implementation.
– New clients through private insurance and Medicaid expansion.
• 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.
• Expand OT practitioners’ role in mental health, primary care, schools, and
wellness settings.
Policy Matters: Lessons From an AOTA Federal
Affairs Fieldwork
Elizabeth Hart, MS, OTR/L, Emerging Leader
• You don’t have to be “political” to care about policy.
– More than 80% of OT practitioners depend on federal & state funding for
reimbursement.
– Legislation dictates where and how you practice.
• It’s impossible to be too busy or too lazy to advocate.
– Sending a letter to your legislators through the Legislative Action Center takes <1
minute.
– Donating to AOTPAC takes <1 minute.
– Attending Hill Day is the most fun, empowering field trip you’ll ever take.
• Passing a bill is just the beginning.
– Once a law is passed, regulatory agencies determine how it’s implemented.
– Continued advocacy ensures that the intent of the law is achieved.
• Evidence makes for good practice AND good policy
– Legislators use research evidence to make policy decisions.
– Are our interventions effective? Do they improve health outcomes? Do they reduce
health care costs?
– Policy shapes practice, but practice can also shape policy.
Policy Matters: Lessons from an AOTA Federal
Affairs Fieldwork (continued)
Elizabeth Hart, MS, OTR/L, Emerging Leader
• Ask not what AOTA does for you…
– Much of the work that AOTA does isn’t revenue-generating, including advocacy.
– Your AOTA & state association membership dues are an investment in OT’s future.
– AOTA is only as strong as its membership.
Questions about AOTA fieldwork and student advocacy?
@chezharts
EHartOT@gmail.com
AOTPAC: Advancing our Profession 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.
AOTPAC: Advancing our Profession Through
Political Action (continued)
Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, FAOTA
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•
•
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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.
Engage in advocacy efforts sponsored by AOTA, such as calls to send a quick
email regarding a bill to your Representative or Senators using the Legislative
Action Center.
Attend Capitol Hill Day on Monday, September 28, 2015, in Washington, DC, for a
free legislative briefing followed by visits to your U.S. Representatives and
Senators.
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.
More Than Cat Videos: How to Use Social Media
Professionally
Stephanie Yamkovenko, AOTA Digital Editor
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•
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You are responsible for what comes up in Google and Facebook
searches with your name. Review your social accounts and do an
audit.
Facebook
• Use an appropriate picture. It doesn’t have to be a business
suit, but something appropriate and professional.
• Remember – comments on pages are public! Coworkers, your
boss, or clients might be reading.
• Participate in Facebook groups such as the popular “4OT
groups.”
• Share AOTA, ASD, and OT resources with your fellow students
via SOTA groups or other group and pages on Facebook
• Don’t friend your boss or coworkers unless you’ve talked to
them about it.
Instagram
• Take and share pictures at conferences and events
• Share what you do via photos (with the proper permissions
and remembering HIPAA).
Occupational Therapy Memes
More than Cat Videos: How to Use Social Media
Professionally (continued)
Stephanie Yamkovenko, AOTA Digital Editor
•
•
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Twitter
• Participate in twitter chats (#OTalk2us – first Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. EST;
#OTalk/#occhat – every Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST).
• Livetweet from events. Interact with people you follow – ask questions, reply to their
tweets, retweet, and mention.
• Boss or coworkers on Twitter – if public account, feel free to follow (or not!). If it is a
private account same as Facebook. Ask in person.
• Tell people you’re on Twitter! On your blog, e-mail signature, web site, Facebook, etc.
Linkedin
• Connect with other OT practitioners and students – this is the network where it’s OK
and expected to connect with boss and coworkers.
• Find job opportunities.
• Participate in groups.
• Follow companies and brands.
• Stay in touch with professional network.
Pinterest
• Collect ideas for treatment activities.
• Share resources for parents or caregivers.
• Collect research, apps, etc.
Join AOTA and ASD on Social Media
OT Connections
• New Practitioners Group:
http://otconnections.aota.org/more_grou
ps/public_groups/new_practitioners/defa
ult.aspx
• Students Forum:
http://otconnections.aota.org/public_foru
ms/f/107.aspx
Instagram
• ASD: @asdaota
• AOTA: @aotainc
Facebook
• AOTA: www.aota.org/facebook
Linkedin
• AOTA:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/aota
Twitter
• ASD: @ASD_AOTA
• AOTA: @AOTAEvents; @AOTAInc;
@AOTAIncPR
Pinterest
• ASD: http://www.pinterest.com/ASDAOTA
• AOTA: http://www.pinterest.com/aotainc
My Transformation from OT School Bottom
Dweller to OT Leader
Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L
Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L
TEDxGrandForks presentation, February 21, 2015
Fighting On: Overcoming Autism Diagnosis.
Developing Your Expertise as an EBP
Practitioner
Deborah Lieberman, MHSA, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTA Director Evidence-Based Practice
Marian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L, Methodology Consultant AOTA Evidence-Based Practice
• The AOTA Practice Guidelines Series
• Based on findings of systematic reviews, topic-specific
Practice Guidelines define the occupational therapy
domain and process and interventions that occur
within the scope of occupational therapy practice.
• Evidence Exchange
• Student and faculty opportunities to complete
Critically Appraised Papers (CAPs), at-a-glance
summaries of articles, to be featured by AOTA.
• Research Opportunities Tables
• The tables provide information on areas for future
research and offer opportunities for collaboration; the
tables can be useful when choosing a research topic.
Developing Your Expertise as an EBP
Practitioner (continued)
Deborah Lieberman, MHSA, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTA Director Evidence-Based Practice
Marian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L, Methodology Consultant AOTA Evidence-Based Practice
• Journal Club Toolkit
• The toolkit consists of an array of documents and resources for
planning and implementing a journal club.
• Evidence-based Research Directory
• An online directory that links users to occupational therapy and related
databases, tutorials for acquiring literature search and interpretation
skills, and national and international evidence-oriented sites.
Browse EBP information by practice area and learn more about EBP opportunities and resources:
http://www.aota.org/Practice/Researchers.aspx
Keynote Address: Creating a Leadership Path
That Fits
Amy Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTA President Elect, AOTA Vice President
“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
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.
Assembly of Student Delegates
Questions?
Email asd@aota.org
REFERENCES
Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee. (2015, April 15). ASD business and student opportunities.
PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Polk, C. (2015, April 15). AOTA’s NBCOT ® Exam Prep. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates
Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Borrero, H. (2015, April 15). Multicultural Diversity Initiative (MDI) Network. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly
of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Costa, D. (2015, April 15). AOTA’s Special Interest Sections and you! PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of
Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Fisher, G. (2015, April 15). AOTPAC: Advancing our profession through political action. PowerPoint presented at the
Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Hart, E. (2015, April 15). Policy matters: Lessons from an AOTA federal affairs fieldwork. PowerPoint presented at
the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Lamb, A. (2015, April 15). Keynote address: Creating a leadership path that fits. PowerPoint presented at the
Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Lieberman, D., & Arbesman, M. (2015, April 15). Developing your expertise as an EBP practitioner. PowerPoint
presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Ray, J. (2015, April 15). Federal affairs update. PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual
Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Stoffel, G. (2015, April 15). Cultivating leaders of tomorrow: Building capacity and creating our collective futures.
PowerPoint presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Wong, B. (2015, April 15). My transformation from OT school bottom dweller to OT leader. PowerPoint presented at
the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.
Wong, B. (2015, February 21). Fighting on: Overcoming autism diagnosis. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/VaOADcEH_00
Yamkovenko, S. (2015, April 15). More than cat videos: How to use social media professionally. PowerPoint
presented at the Assembly of Student Delegates Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.