Building momentum in the occupational therapy workforce
Current trends reflect opportunities for occupational therapy growth. Capacity building supports the occupational therapy workforce to respond to these population needs. As a profession, occupational therapy practitioners can create momentum by building upon our roots and foundation to expand our roles in evolving and innovative practice settings.
Exploring occupational therapy's evolving and innovative opportunities
Occupational therapy makes it possible! We have the skillset to explore the possibilities in innovative and evolving practice settings. Listen to Joseph Coughlin, PhD, Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, speak on future opportunities for the workforce. "The opportunity for your profession today is more important now than ever before."
Occupational therapy workforce capacity model
The American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) Practice Capacity team develops and manages activities and resources for the OT workforce to implement in practice. We champion for equitable growth to promote occupational justice by focusing on workforce trends impacting the profession and the communities we serve. Building on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (OTPF-4; AOTA, 2020) and core values, this infographic provides a model for AOTA to address workforce capacity as a guide to evolve the field across practice settings.
Addressing social determinants of health with occupational therapy
By applying the principles and core values of the OTPF-4 and client-centered care, we can address social determinants (drivers) of health or SDoH and the intersection with occupational therapy practice settings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social determinants of health as “non-medical factors” influencing health outcomes and conditions that shape daily living, including where people are born, grow, work, and live, as well as their age. These conditions can have a direct bearing on health disparities and inequities (WHO, 2019). Occupational therapy’s role in addressing social determinants (drivers) of health span across practice settings, including mental and behavioral health, community-based practice, children and school-based settings, adults with disabilities, and aging interventions.
We are occupational therapy. Sign on to the workforce capacity call to action!
Let’s keep building momentum to move the profession into the future by promoting occupational therapy services, collaborating in interprofessional relationships, creating equity within our profession, and committing to address health determinants in evolving practice. Use these resources to brag on our profession and to share with the community. Get involved—sign the call to action today!
Join in the conversation & share your innovation at Momentum Meetups
We are excited to host virtual meeting opportunities focusing on innovative practice and workforce trends that impact our profession. Recognizing that our profession is evolving, and individual practice areas may be in a state of transition, we need support from our profession and community partners. Please join us as we continue these conversations and build momentum to propel our workforce toward the future.
Momentum Meetups are free for both members and nonmembers to attend and will take place on the last Thursday of month, 6-7:30 p.m., ET.
Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for others
Taking care of ourselves means that we can take better care of our clients. Recognizing that we are also impacted by all the SDoH components that impact our clients provides a structure for us to consider our own well-being.
Workforce capacity momentum moment videos
We’re doing the work! Watch how these practitioners are bringing occupational therapy into evolving practice areas.
AOTA continuing education & on demand sessions
Increase your knowledge and professional development with AOTA’s continuing education and on-demand sessions.
Research and articles
Expand your knowledge of workforce capacity topics with the latest research and insights from occupational therapy practitioners.
Practitioner health and wellness
Unlocking the potential of occupational therapy in new settings
Working with marginalized populations
The occupation of justice
Promoting women's health and wellness
Maximizing worker outcomes through integrating practitioner strength development
AOTA Advocacy resources
Advocate for important topics that affect your practice.
OT workforce in action
Grant funding is a great way to support your practice initiatives. Explore these outlets and remember to search for local and state funding. Call for comments is also an opportunity to provide an occupational therapy perspective on policies, guidelines, and reports.
Check out these upcoming grant opportunities
The Department of Education and the ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research has issued an invitation for applicants to submit for new grant awards.
Award description
According to the U.S. Department of Education's website, the agency opened applications for the School-Based Mental Health and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant competitions to help bolster the pipeline of mental health professionals serving in schools and expand student access to school-based mental health services and supports.
Read more about the grant announcement.
Both grants use the same definition of school-based mental health service providers:
A state-licensed or state-certified
- School counselor
- School psychologist
- School social worker
- Other State licensed or certified mental health professional qualified under State law to provide mental health services to children and adolescents.
- Occupational therapy meets the eligibility qualifications of #4 in every state and the District of Columbia.
Both grants include an absolute priority for new potential grantees. The MHSP grant application is due 75 days after it is published, instead of the standard 60-day timeline. The Department of Education will provide additional information, resources, and training at a later date. Please continue to check the Department’s website for updates.
Watch Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Ruth Ryder's presentation to the AOTA Education Summit on school-based mental health services.
Stay connected with networking & professional opportunities
Connect with members on important topics that interest you and enhance your practice with networking opportunities.
References
AARP (n.d.). AARP livability index—Great neighborhoods for all ages. https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl._2), 7412410010p1–7412410010p87. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What’s your role? Parks, recreation, and green spaces. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation/everyone-can-be-involved/parks-recreation-and-green-spaces.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
World Health Organization. (2019, May 30). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1