CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

In response to Coronavirus and the CDC's recommendation to practice social distancing we have postponed all OTAC events through April. We are currently working to identify options to reschedule or offer online webinars.
Please check back for more information specific to each event. Thank you!

3/19/2020: Coverage for OT Services Provided Through Telehealth  
OTAC has been working with our lobbyists to ensure OT practitioners’ continued ability to serve clients remotely in the time of social distancing due to Covid-19. Recent updates have allowed emergency temporary coverage for OT services provided via telehealth through Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program. More information on this can be found here. We are also monitoring national efforts to expand telehealth access for Medicare recipients. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services, including occupational therapy. Click here for more information!

2020 Announcement 

The year 2019 was a challenging year for the board and OTAC with current Board members absorbing various integral tasks, which is necessary to maintain focus on the value of member benefits and association operations which allow the state association to stay afloat. However, this has changed!

In fact, we have only two vacancies on our board with the filling of the very important Board Chair for Member Services by Julie Silver Seidle and Board Chair for Communications position by Meghan Weber. Our conference responsibilities will fall to Amy Solomon as Board Chair for Conference and Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson will continue as Board Char for Public Policy. Fortunately, Lucy Bosio, our recent Marjorie Ball Awardee, will help continue as Treasurer with a new mentee Karen Freed Jackson. We now look forward to filling a Newsletter Editor position to resume our quarterly newsletter! 

We welcome others to become involved: what are your ideas? What are the benefits and shortfalls of member benefits? How could the value of OTAC membership be differently demonstrated? What recommendations do you have for increasing community engagement? What suggestions do you have for maintaining the organization’s financial stability? What stellar suggestion do you have for a topic that hasn’t been addressed? How you can be a part of OTAC’s solution: renew your membership, invite colleagues to join OTAC, join a committee, and/or apply for a Board position! 

I look forward to continuing to serve as President in the important upcoming legislative session, as we need to pass legislation to continue licensing both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. I wish to continue to emphasize the value of being a member of OTAC by providing meaningful networking and professional development opportunities in Colorado.

Best to the upcoming year!

Pamela DiPasquale-Lehnerz, MS, OTR/L
OTAC President

Renewing your membership?

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Reasons you should be an OTAC member!

OTAC is 100% member-funded. The financial support from our members goes towards supporting our legislative efforts, which includes financing two lobbyist.

In 2020, the Colorado Occupational Therapy Practice Act will undergo a sunset review, which is where the State of CO will question whether occupational therapy regulation for OT and OTAs will be terminated or regulation will be approved.  OTAC is partnering with various stakeholders to preserve the protection of the profession in CO through licensure of OTs and OTAs. This work includes collaboration with OTAC’s lobbyists, the DORA’s agencies and key personnel, the AOTA’s State Affairs Group staff, and occupational therapy practitioners working in CO.  These efforts require financial resources to continue advocacy. We appreciate your membership to support the cause. 

Checkout our past legislative successes to see examples of how membership money is invested in the OT profession of CO. 

Additionally, we offer continuing education discounts,  networking activities, and leadership and volunteer opportunities. In October, we offer an annual conference and members receive a registration discount.  

Colorado Occupational Therapy Practice Act Sunset Review Update 11/01/19

Professions and occupations regulated in Colorado undergo a periodic regulatory review called a Sunset Review. The Occupational Therapy Practice Act is in the midst of this process. OTAC has provided you additional resources about the Sunset Review process.

The next step in the sunset review process will occur when the COPRRR presents the report and recommendations to the committee of reference in the Colorado House of Representatives during the 2020 legislative session, which begins in January.

OTAC will continue to partner with various stakeholders to preserve the protection of the profession in CO through licensure of OTs and OTAs.

Please consider donating to support our legislative efforts. OTAC employs two lobbyists who work on our behalf to protect and promote legislation that allows us to do the amazing work that we do every day in our beautiful state of Colorado. Your gift helps to ensure the continuation of this service for years to come.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

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