Texas Occupational Therapy Association - TOTA

Happy St. Patrick's Day from TOTA!
What creative interventions are you planning for today? #jOURneyForward #OTRocks #TOTA2022

Hello there all of our nerdy OTPs in Texas! Are you celebrating PI Day? I know I am!! #OTRocks #jOURneyForward #TOTA2022

Member Highlight: Black History Month Celebration (extended)
TOTA’s DEI committee would like to acknowledge Ciara McKenzie, MOT student at University of Texas at El Paso
Read her interview here!
https://tota.memberclicks.net/ciara-mckenzie

TOTA wishes a Happy International Women's Day to all OT practitioners in Texas! #jOURneyForward #OTRocks #TOTA2022

Health issues force Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman to retire from state politics

TOTA and occupational therapy practitioners throughout the state of Texas owe a great deal of gratitude to State Rep. Garnet Coleman. Rep Coleman has been a big supporter and champion for healthcare, mental health, ECI funding, Medicaid Expansion, and more. His door was always open to us and his leadership will be greatly missed. Thank you Rep. Coleman for all the years of support. We encourage everyone to send him letters of gratitude.

Health issues force Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman to retire from state politics Rep. Garnet Coleman said he's stepping down due to his long-standing health problems. But an incident last May landed him in the hospital and that's when he said he decided to retire.

Join us in celebrating Black History Month by getting to know our fellow OTP Gwendolyn Cherry, OTR.
“Gwen is an exemplar of leadership, mentorship, and entrepreneurship”. Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Watch her interview on Youtube at https://youtu.be/QWmavf4Bejs

In Celebration of Black History Month, Join TOTA in acknowledging the amazing, Demetria Sweatt, COTA.
“I would like to encourage all minority OTs/COTAs to embrace their current OT skill set and create their own Alternative minority-owned businesses in your communities!”
Read her full interview at https://tota.memberclicks.net/demetria-sweatt

Celebrating Black History Month at TOTA! Be on the lookout for upcoming interviews with Executive Director, Judi Joseph as she gets to know more about the lived experiences of black OTPs in Texas. #jOURneyForwArd

Happy Valentine's Day from TOTA! How are you celebrating this day with your clients? Share your creative occupations with Texas! #OTRocks #jOURneyForward

It's the year of the tiger! May this year bring you peace and prosperity in your OT practice! #JourneyForward2022

It's TOTA Tidbits Friday! Check your emails to stay up to date on what TOTA is doing!
Call for proposals is officially open and nominations for state and local board positions are being excepted at this time.

The Annual TOTA board retreat is all wrapped up and it was a huge success! #OTRocks We are ready to make waves in 2022! #MovingTOTAforward

The winter edition TOTA Revista is out! Get a glimpse of 2021 annual conference highlights, letters from the president and executive director, and much more!!
Check your emails for the TOTA Tidbits for quick access or visit the TOTA website.

It's TOTA "Tidbits" Friday! Check your emails for updates on our legislative endeavors, upcoming events, and the newest addition of the OT Revista!

01.12.2022-11.02.02

Check out our most recent recent legislative update by John Luna!

https://www.screencast.com/t/jD1HfqpoR

01.12.2022-11.02.02 Shared from Screencast.com

TOTA’s 2022-2023 Legislative Agenda

The TOTA Board of Directors will be meeting to work on the strategic plan, goals for the association, and the Legislative Agenda. We have identified three possible areas of interest to the Texas OT community:

Pursue Legislation to be included in the Interstate Licensure Compact
Advocate for Occupational Therapy in Mental and Behavioral Health.
Pursue Legislation for clarification on Occupations Code Section 454.007 USE OF TITLE DOCTOR
An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant may not use the abbreviation "Dr.," the word "Doctor," or any suffix or affix indicating or implying that the person is a physician.
Complete this brief google survey to let us know what you would like for TOTA to pursue in the next legislative session.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrv03UExYRik2BQjf-Q5pNiMthlRbPpEBHTg4TzxVvQw0rQA/viewform

State Representative Armando Walle accepting a letter of appreciation for working with TOTA during the 87th Legislative Session.

Texas Occupational Therapy Association

During our annual conference we took the opportunity to create a promotional video! We hope the video can be shared with educational programs, employers, and other occupational therapy practitioners to educate them on the mission, goals, and purpose of TOTA.

Texas Occupational Therapy Association Association Promotional Video

TOTA Legislative Update John Luna

TOTA Legislative Update! Check out what TOTA has been advocating for on your behalf!

TOTA Legislative Update John Luna

Do you want a chance to win a free year of AOTA membership? Complete the OT/OTA Capability Model Survey! AOTA is developing a capability model and needs your input. This anonymous survey will help to confirm the tasks and roles of OT practice by setting and specialty. The survey closes on Friday, November 12. Learn more: https://surveys.aota.org/s3/OTOTA-CapabilityModel

Join us for this year's Keynote Address, presented by Cherry Steinwender; Co-Executive Director and co-founder of the Center for the Healing of Racism

Calling all Students! Do you have questions about what OT Practitioners experience day to day in different settings? Come join us on Saturday morning and "Walk a Mile in a Variety of OT Practitioners' Shoes" Saturday, Nov. 6th from 8:00-9:45 AM in the Imperial West Room.
#TOTAConference2021 #Unmaskingoccupation #OTRocks

Timeline photos