2010 AOTA Conference Recap

Centennial Vision  “We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs”  2017 projection

How can we contribute?  Membership in AOTA and contribute to AOTPAC  Stay in tune with current events What happens now, affects us later.  Develop your leadership capacity and encourage others in doing the same  Seek out opportunities for advocacy  Making alliances & build relationships  Look further to areas of practice that are not as fully developed (SIS) Ginny Stoffel PhD, OT, BCMH, FAOTA

My wake up call…  80% of students after graduation become non-members of AOTA  APTA-PAC contributions are nearly 3x that of AOTPAC Mean 3x the representation; congressional support awareness of the profession  Professions are expanding their scopes of practice and changing definitions to include traditional domains of OT  Nearly 90% of Occupational Therapy is paid for by Federal funding Paul Fontana OTR, FAOTA, 2009

AOTPAC – Growth & Opportunity Pursues public policy agenda, supports the lobbying efforts and legislation  Decisions of Congress= long term affect on practice  Key part of AOTPAC efforts by members is developing relationships with their elected officials; Local & State level  An educational tool for elected officials; lobbying and open discussion occurs about OT  AOTPAC makes carefully studied, well-informed decisions on which candidates and officeholders to support.  Solely donation based ex: $10/yr = $40,000 annually Amy Jo Lamb, OTD, OTR/L AOTPAC Chair & Region IV Representative

OT Connections  Access through AOTA  AOTA members use same login info. Provides practitioners and students:  Opportunity for posting a blog to inform and share ideas  Attending discussions in forums  Joining groups Colleges, state associations, advocacy groups, multicultural organizations, etc.

Leadership Perspectives and Values Commitment and time management Influence others and creating a team (Alliance, Ask, Answer, Act) Seek out your interests and match your talents

Special Interest Section (SIS)  Administration & Management Private Practice & Business Owners  Education Fieldwork & Faculty  Developmental Disabilities  Home & Community Health Home Modifications  Gerontology  Mental Health  Physical Disabilities Hand Rehabilitation Driving/Driver Rehabilitation  Sensory Integration  School Systems  Technology  Work Programs Industrial Rehab Injury Prevention Ergonomics

Shifting Gears to NBCOT If you thirst for knowledge, be sure not to drown in all the information. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo

NBCOT – FACEBOOK Sample Practice Questions on  Questions are posted each Monday on the discussion page  Posts answers, discussions, rationales, and comments  Answers are posted each Friday with rationales and references  Questions are maintained on the site

NBCOT – Exam Prep Accessible at for STUDY TOOLS: FREE Options:  Examination Blueprints – roadmap to preparation  Examination Readiness Tool  Self-Assessment tools Practice areas; general practice geriatrics, orthopedics, pediatrics  Simulated Tutorial – purely the format of the test Test Prep *Cost based on type and package*  Practice test - 30 minute of clinical simulation problems  Content test - Rationale for Physical Disabilities, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Administration