OOTA Annual Conference ~ October 11-12, 2024

We are thrilled to invite you to be part of the OOTA Annual Conference in at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, where we will embark on a transformative journey at the intersection of occupational therapy and community building under the theme: Connecting For Change: Building Community Through Occupational Therapy. Join us in embracing the power of collaboration, community engagement, and interdisciplinary connections to shape the future of occupational therapy practice. Let's bridge gaps and forge connections for the betterment of communities together!

Opportunity to earn up to 13.25 in person contact hours of continuing education (and more on demand)! Scroll to see the Conference Schedule!!!

 A Note about 2024 Conference Dates and Yom Kippur 

We wanted to take a moment to address concerns brought by several members regarding the dates of the 2024 conference falling during Yom Kippur. This was an unintentional oversight on the part of the conference planning committee and was due in part to a very limited number of weekends being available at the time in which we began our search for this year's venue. 

When the overlap in dates was brought to our attention, we contacted the hotel to see if there was a possibility of moving our conference dates, but other events prevented a move to a date that was not more than a month away from our original plans. As such, we made the decision to move forward with the current dates, with the assurance to all members that future conference planning will include careful consideration of holidays to every extent possible.

We know that collaboration and diversity are cornerstones of our profession and our association, and we continue to learn from our mistakes and work to be better.

Sincerely, 

OOTA Executive Board & Conference Planning Committee

 

Pricing

Pre-Conference Workshop (Friday 10am - 1pm): $50 member / $90 non-member

Full Conference (Friday and Saturday)

Early Bird Rate (Extended to September 11th): $200 member / $299 non-member

Standard Rate (September 12th and beyond): $250 member / $350 non-member 

Pre-Conference Workshops:

  • Option #1: Helping refugees build a sense of home and enrich the community through occupational therapy: More than 2,800 refugees arrived in Ohio for resettlement in 2023. Where do they come from and what are their greatest needs? Based on a relationship the Occupational Therapy Program at Cleveland State University with a refugee resettlement agency, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Cleveland, we will describe how two full-time occupational therapists provide services at this agency and involve OT students. A discussion will follow on how these occupational therapists evaluate the unique occupational needs of their clients and work with the resettlement team to address them. We will describe how these occupational therapists engage clients in individual, family-based, and group sessions in natural settings to facilitate independence, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging. The outcomes of this work will be discussed. The multiple ways that students are involved and the benefits to them, the community, and the profession will be highlighted.

     

  • Option #2: Personal Responsibility when Engaging with Your Diverse Workforce: This session offers an in-depth exploration of the signature RETAIN Process, designed to enhance key strategies for improving employee communication, fostering trust, and boosting retention rates. Participants will gain access to practical tools that can be implemented in their workplaces, examine case studies that illustrate successful initiatives, and engage in interactive discussions that promote best practices. This collaborative environment encourages the sharing of insights and experiences, making it an invaluable opportunity for all attendees.

 

Click Here to Register!

 

Sponsorship 

On October 11 – 12, 2024 OOTA will be hosting the 2024 OOTA State Conference at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. OOTA expects to draw approximately 200 occupational therapy professionals and students, and up to 30 vendors with the opportunity for up to 13.25 in person contact hours of continuing education (and more on demand).

Online Sponsorship Form: Sponsorship 

Printable Sponsorship Form: Sponsorship Form 

 

Preliminary 2024 Conference Schedule 

 

**Schedule is subject to change. 

 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING 2023 - MEETING MINUTES

Annual Meeting Minutes 
State Conference
Toledo, OH
October 21, 2023

Annual meeting of members called to order at 12:52pm.

Establishment of quorum. Quorum present. 

Motion to approve 2022 minutes put forth by Mary Arnold. Kristin Roberts seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote at 12:55pm.

 Kara Brogan provided the Treasurer’s report.

  • Report notes OOTA finances continue to remain strong.
  • Checking account and investments have increased during 2023.

 Becky Finni provided the following during the Presidential Report.

  • Membership by the numbers
    • 2023 Membership = 1294

      740 OT (13 retired)

      200 OTA

      293 Student

      New practitioner level: 35 OT, 12 OTA

  • Membership discussed continuously at board member meetings, including ways to encourage membership
  • AOTF scholarships
    • 2022-2023 only one scholarship recipient awarded
      • Carolina Walker, OTA student at Marion Technical College, awarded $2309
    • Scholarship for upcoming year closed Oct 2, 2023
    • School-Based Leadership Team

o Continue to work on advocating for school-based practitioners.

  • 2023 year in review
    • Strategic planning
    • Continuing education presentations
      • 33 live events, 28 on-demand webinars available on learning platform
    • Policies updated, finalized, published to OOTA
    • Retreat planned for final meeting of the year.
    • Student Conclave occurring January 8-9, 2024 for both student members & non-members
    • AOTA Pilot Collaborative selection
      • Ohio selected to participate in program with 3 other states
      • Hoped for benefits include: consistent value for members, membership growth, increased volunteer pool & improved leadership experience, shared system for membership including billing for membership, data management, sustained independent accounts, accounting management, event management
    • Advocacy
      • Executive board member joined SAPEC Ohio this year.
      • State house day – canceled
      • HB 68
        • Passed in June. Combined 2 bills: limiting access to gender-affirming care + Save Women’s Sports Act (HB 6)
        • HB 183 (Bathroom Usage) & HB 8 (Parental Notification)
        • Note: AOTA policy supports gender-affirming care
        • HB 33
          • State operating budget, work requirements waiver required for Ohio Medicaid, policy to cover children on Medicaid under age 4, art & music therapy licensure, est. Ohio Dept of Children & Youth
          • HB 83
            • Makes several reforms to policies at Ohio’s public universities, restricts teaching of divisive concepts, policies related to DEI, & tenure of professors. There is concern regarding accreditation impact.
    • On-going advocacy
      • HB141 copay fairness
      • OTAs & school-based practice
      • Medicaid rates & reform / behavioral health
      • Looking Ahead to 2024
        • Christie Tuttle new president July 1, 2024
        • Transition to AMC via collaborative 1st quarter of 2024
        • Continue to revise policies as needed
        • National advocacy MHSIS & peds school-based task force groups
        • State affiliation task force to revise state affiliation agreement with AOTA

Stacy Schumacher motioned to adjourn. Kristin Roberts seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote at 1:32pm