Governor's Executive Order Extends Licensure Renewal Date to June 30th, 2019

In the interest of supporting our FOTA membership and prospective members, this message is to provide information about the Licensure Renewal Extension made by Governor Scott in the fall of 2018. His executive order was made in response to the disaster in the wake of Hurricane Michael and in consideration for all of those professionals whose licenses would renew in the coming months after this storm.

More here....read on...

Hill Day 2019 FOTA Hill Day was in Tallahassee, FL, January 22 at the Capitol Building, 2^nd Floor Rotunda at 8am. We were joined by our lobbying firm, Corcoran & Johnston (C&J), to establish a presence with legislators in the rotunda, promote an awareness OT on the hill, as well as engage in sit-down meetings individually with specifically selected legislators at their offices as arranged C&J. Our objective was to raise awareness of the distinct value of OT in serving Floridians, and addressing specific issues of access to care, protection and promotion of OT practice across our state. We hope many OTs join us for Hill Day. Thanks to Governmental Affairs Co-Chairs Sharon Rosenberg and Kelly Uanino (at [email protected] ) More on Hill Day

FOTA Award Winners at Conference 2018
BLOG: Legislative Updates and Prep for Session 2019 Advocacy cannot be successful without NEW and RENEWING FOTA Membership Support Join or Renew

BLOG: Leadership Development Series -- The Case for Membership

Welcome to the FOTA Board: Andre Johnson, OTA, as Member Concerns Coordinator & Shannon Miller, OTA, as Regional Rep for Region 8, as well as Heidi Horowitz OT, Region 3; new Leadership Development Committee Co Chairs, Michael Steinhauer, OT, and Nadya Ramos, OTA, OTDS.

FOTA Held its 2nd Leadership Development Day May 12th in Ft. Lauderdale: Meet our Emerging Leader
Election 2018 Results . The Elections Committee is pleased to announce that Douglene Jackson PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP was elected FOTA President-Elect!
FOTA Leadership Development Program: Event May 12th in Ft. Lauderdale
FOTA Election 2018: Elections take place March 5 - March 30. Click to view candidate info and voting form. Member only
On Parkland --School Shooting --Guest Blogger Mirtha Whaley
BLOG: Video Interview with FOTA Member Samarra St. Hilaire and the FOTA President Brent Cheyne
Florida OTs Testify to House and Senate Committees on Roles in Opioid Crisis

FOTA Members Tammy McKenzie, and Jian Jones Stewart testify in Tallahassee....read more

The Benefits of Membership

Membership fees support the FOTA Government Affairs Committee, which is active in advocating for occupational therapy practitioners and the clients we serve through:

Working with our state legislators and our lobbyist to promote and protect occupational therapy services
Protecting the OT scope of practice to ensure that practitioners have the right to practice true occupational therapy in Florida

Read about Benefits and Join Today

Government Affairs News

Join us for the FOTA HILL DAY Jan 22
Legislative Update by our Lobbying firm Corcoran & Johnston

The 60-day Legislative Session will convene on March 5, 2019, with interim committee weeks being held in December, January and February. FOTA Hill day will be January 22, 2019. The following is a brief overview of work done since the last legislative session and legislative priorities we expect to work on throughout the upcoming session. Click to view full report.
About FOTA Government Affairs

We are closely watching for ways OT will both be impacted and for opportunities for OT to be included, perhaps in ways we have not been included in the past. While the ACA is a Federal program, FOTA is working closely with AOTA to follow the trends and keep you informed.

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Industry News

Addressing Mealtime Challenges for Young Children and Families: How do challenges begin and how does this influence the assessment process?
AOTA has identified Feeding, Eating and Swallowing as a specialty area of practice with occupational therapy identified as part of a team provides comprehensive assessment and intervention to address concerns in these areas (AOTA, 2007).

Music Based Auditory Stimulation Positively Impacts Dementia
Prior to the late 1960’s, American scientists thought that the brain was fixed and unchangeable.

Home Modifications and Going Mobile: A New Way to Advance OT Expertise and Practice
The AOTA Centennial Vision continues to bring the occupational therapy (OT) profession to new and exciting levels of practice.

Have You Heard of Common Data Elements?
Years ago, I was working in a clinic as a licensed OT with a bachelor’s degree. With limited research training I did not know how to select assessments for measuring the effect of my interventions.