AOTA Amps Up Advocacy Efforts With 3 New Hires

Association maintains strong commitment to ensuring that
quality occupational therapy services are available to all who need them

BETHESDA, MD—In an ongoing effort to advocate for the profession of occupational therapy, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is pleased to announce three new additions to its Public Affairs team: Joshua Veverka as a State Policy Analyst; Jeremy Furniss, MS, OTR/L, as a Coding and Payment Specialist; and John Ray as Legislative Representative. 

• In his role as state policy analyst, Veverka will work to advance the association’s public policy goals through a variety of state legislative and regulatory affairs activities. He will monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations affecting occupational therapy, assist state associations on issues pertinent to them, and function as the AOTA liaison between the association and state regulatory boards on professional trends and issues. Veverka is a native of Pennsylvania. 

• Furniss, a native of Arkansas, will provide analytical support related to public and private payment policies, particularly in relation to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) as published by the American Medical Association (AMA) and activities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); serve as an analyst for all AMA coding activities including development of CPT codes; and support AOTA’s HCPAC Advisors and internal committees related to coding and reimbursement to formulate comments to the AMA. 

• In his role representing the profession on Capitol Hill, Ray will advocate for AOTA’s interests before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, promote grassroots advocacy by AOTA members, monitor and analyze federal legislative proposals to assess implications for the profession, conduct lobbying activities that proactively support the association’s legislative goals, and participate in membership education about advocacy efforts. 

“AOTA recognizes that policy is the linchpin for reimbursement and therefore the economic viability of the profession of occupational therapy,” said Christina Metzler, Chief Public Affairs Officers for the association. “Our new staff will continue our mission to protect the integrity of the profession through licensure, and to ensure that occupational therapy is properly defined and paid for, that quality services are available to all who need them, and that any new coding and reporting requirements are tailored to recognize the distinct value of occupational therapy.” 

Nationwide, more than 140,000 occupational therapy practitioners help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy plays an essential role in meaningful and effective efforts to improve society’s health, along with improving the health care system. Legislation supporting access to occupational therapy can reduce overall health care costs by facilitating independence among patients. 

AOTA’s legislative goals include Congressional support of the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (S. 367/H.R. 713) which seeks to repeal therapy caps that limit Medicare coverage of outpatient occupational therapy that is medically necessary for rehabilitation services; promote the important role of occupational therapy in meeting the needs of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders and urge recognition of occupational therapists as behavioral and mental health professionals under the National Health Service Corps (H.R. 1037); seek support for the Rehabilitation Improvement Act (S. 1027), a bill to improve, coordinate, and enhance rehabilitation research at the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) at NIH; and encourage funding for special education by explaining the impact that federal special education funding cuts have on the ability to provide services to students with disabilities. 

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA's major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.

October 7, 2010

AOTA has announced a new program aimed at developing leaders in the profession.  This is consistent with AOTA’s Centennial Vision and compliments the recently released COOL program (information in previous message posted to the List or available on AOTA’s website).   Please pass this information along to individuals that you think may be interested.   Individuals must be members of AOTA to participate.

Thank you,

Robin Jones, MPA, COTA/L, ROH

Illinois Representative, AOTA Representative Assembly

AOTA Emerging Leaders Development Program

Letter of Invitation and Application

The continued development of strong leaders within the profession is essential to achieving the goals we have for the Centennial Vision. The Emerging Leaders Development Program recognizes and develops those emerging practitioners who have shown an initial dedication to the profession and service at the start of their career. The program provides selected candidates with leadership training and ongoing mentorship while identifying needs for service within AOTA, and matching current opportunities with each participant’s own leadership goals.

Once candidates are chosen, they will receive a formal face-to-face (2-day) training focusing on leadership development and other components of the program. Following this training, candidates will participate in a service learning component where they will collaborate with AOTA or a state association on a project or leadership role where they fill a real need. Assistance will be given to match current needs and opportunities with candidate interest areas. The training program will also include a formal mentored experience where emerging leaders are paired with individuals who currently hold a leadership position within AOTA. This period of formal mentorship will continue for at least 1 year following the face-to-face training. Participant emerging leaders will also be expected to share their experiences via AOTA publications or formal/informal presentations.

Who Should Apply?

Candidates considered for this program may be OT or OTA students in the last year of their professional preparation or new practitioners with 5 or fewer years of experience. Candidates must also be current members of AOTA.

This is a program for individuals who see themselves staying involved in AOTA leadership and volunteer opportunities. Candidates must be able to commit to the following:

• attendance at a funded 2-day training at AOTA in Bethesda on January 14 & 15, 2011;
• a formal mentorship/training period of 12 months;
• completion of a service learning project decided upon in collaboration with their mentor; and
• an expectation of ongoing leadership service within AOTA for a period of time.

It is the program’s goal and hope that the leadership training and experience inspires individuals to continue service within AOTA throughout their careers.

Application Process

Submit a personal letter of intent (no more than three pages, double spaced, 12-point font) describing why you see yourself as an emerging leader. In your narrative, please include the following:

• Please tell us specifically what you hope to accomplish in your career and professional life, listing any personal and professional goals as they relate to your leadership development.

• Discuss how/why you think your participation in the Emerging Leaders Development Program will help you grow in your current role, as well as achieve your goals. Please specifically share how participation in this program will enable you to develop a trajectory towards leadership within AOTA and the profession.

• Include a list of your past and current leadership experiences (professional as well as community) and choose one example to describe how you demonstrated leadership most effectively. Please provide examples of how you were able to successfully lead others, citing any personal challenges and achievements during that particular experience.

• Provide an explanation of how you see yourself benefitting from a structured mentoring relationship within the organizational structure of AOTA and what you would bring to a mentoring partnership. Please also identify areas within the organizational structure of AOTA (COP, COE, Ethics, SIS, etc.) that you are interested in working with during your period of mentorship.

Applications to the Emerging Leaders Development Program also require a letter of reference from a current AOTA member who has firsthand knowledge of your leadership ability. The reference letter should provide a strong recommendation, as it accounts for approximately 1/3 of the total score in the selection process. Individuals providing the letter of reference may come from schools, be existing AOTA leaders, or be involved in state associations. Reference letters should specifically address aspects of your personal character, leadership qualities you possess, your leadership potential, and their opinion as to your appropriateness for this program and potential to successfully complete the program.

Please include your resume and e-mail address. Applications should be electronically submitted to [email protected] and be received no later than November 2, 2010. No hard copy applications will be considered.