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Join us at the FOTA CONNECT LEARNING SERIES

FOTA CONNECT is a way to connect with our members, fellow OT/OTA practitioners, students, educators and the general public to discuss and learn about Occupational Therapy related topics.

Would you like to present at one of our FOTA Connect Sessions? FOTA Members may submit to present for FOTA CONNECT sessions. To submit a proposal we require course description, abstract, objectives, speaker bio and CVs for CE Broker approval. Your proposal will be reviewed and if accepted, given a presentation time slot. Submit below to be considered. 

Submit here to present proposal for FOTA CONNECT 

2025 FOTA Connect Member Sessions

Register for August 20th FOTA CONNECT

Course Title: Navigating School-Based OT Assessments: From Law to Learning

Course Speaker & Credentials: Dr. Pauline Kelly, OTD, OTR/L & Dr. Debra Misrahi, DrOT, OTR/L

Course abstract: This course offers a practical and in-depth overview of creating comprehensive occupational therapy assessments within school-based practice. It focuses on how these assessments lead to appropriate educational supports for students. Participants will gain insights into foundational legal and professional frameworks, understand the distinctions between educational and medical OT roles, and learn the importance of collaborative efforts with IEP teams, teachers, and families. By developing comprehensive and legally defensible school-based OT assessments, beginning with a thorough occupational profile, therapists can effectively identify both pathways and barriers to learning for students in Pre-K through high school educational programs.

Course Objectives: 1.Differentiate between medical vs educational models of pediatric occupational therapy through the exploration of legal and professional frameworks governing school-based occupational therapy practice and apply them to the creation of legally defensible assessments that emphasize educational over medical needs.2.Explore standardized, non-standardized, and ecological assessment tools to discover the effectiveness of each in identifying a student's strengths and barriers to learning within their Pre-K through high school educational environment.3.Discuss the importance of synthesizing assessment findings into a comprehensive, IEP-aligned report that highlights student strengths, functional impacts on learning, and informs collaborative recommendations for appropriate educational supports.

Speaker Bios: Dr. Pauline Kelly OTD, OTR/L is a school-based occupational therapist with over 35 years of experience in PreK-12 public education in Florida and one of the Co-Chairs of the EISSIS for FOTA. Dr Debra Misrahi, DrOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist whose career spans over 40 years in PreK-12 public education. She has held several positions in FOTA leadership and now serves as Co-Chair of the EISSIS for FOTA.

Register for August 27th FOTA CONNECT

Course Title: Occupational Therapy and Mental Health: Opportunities and Limitations

Course Speaker & Credentials: 
Jeffrey Sargent OTD, OTR/L
LeeAnne Bugter-vanLoon OTD, OTR/L
Kim Karr OTR/L, CPHQ, RAC-CT
Heather Parsons MSOT

Course abstract: Occupational Therapy and Mental Health: Opportunities and Limitations is a FOTA Connect session partnering FOTA with AOTA to bring up-to-date information to Florida OTs regarding current federal efforts to increase the profession footprint in the mental health care continuum. Presenters will provide information regarding current legislative efforts, billing and coding, as well as clinical perspectives from clinicians who work with those experiencing mental health conditions. Special emphasis will be placed on community-based ​innovative practice examples and challenges, solutions, and current efforts as they relate to advancing OT's role in mental health.

Course Objectives: - Provide general overview of similarities and difference of a MH OT practitioner vs general OT practitioner- Help OTs understand what OT may look like in the community - Federal system - Non-profit system- Attendees will understand efforts that are being undertaken at the federal level through AOTA, as well as current challenges and solutions to the problem- Attendees will gain access to AOTA advocacy and mental health resources.

Speaker Bios: Jeffrey Sargent is an OT working for Veteran Affairs in the HUDVASH homeless program, and is the FOTA MHSIS Co-Chair. LeeAnne Bugter-vanLoon is an OT who developed and is working in a community-based OT program with Mental Health of America. Kim Karr is an OT who is the Manager, Coding & Payment Policy for AOTA. Heather Parsons is an OT who is the Vice President of Federal Affairs of AOTA

2025 Past Sessions

              
 


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