Welcome!

KOTA, or the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, is the professional association of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students of occupational therapy in the Commonwealth.  Membership is voluntary and represents the voices of over 500 members.

Members lead and guide the KOTA to support the ever-evolving practice of occupational therapy in medical, educational and community settings.  The purpose of the organization, as described in its bylaws, is to serve the interests of its members, promote access to occupational therapy services and represent the profession to the public.

KOTA is a nonprofit 501 (c)6 organization; contributions or gifts are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. 

We invite your membership and welcome your participation!

The April Edition of the KOTA Newsletter is available for download on the members only section.

Support the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Act

On December 23, 2011 Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) along with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Act (HR 3762). This important measure will make occupational therapists eligible to participate in the National Health Services Corps [NHSC] Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs as behavioral and mental health professionals.

This is a significant first step towards solidifying occupational therapy’s role in the provision of quality mental health services. Visit AOTA’s legislative action center to urge your members of Congress to support this critical issue

http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=61015101

First Ever Mental Health OT Congressional Briefing Held At AOTA's House and Senate Congressional staff briefing in support of the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Act, the answer was in the questions. http://www.aota.org/News/AdvocacyNews/Congress-Mental-Health.aspx

 

 

Mark your Calendars for the next KOTA educational event!  

	KOTA EB Meeting KOTA EB Meeting June 02, 2012 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Executive Board Meeting

 2012 Representative Assembly Business-

Rhonda Edwards and Camille Skubik-Peplaski have represented the AOTA

members in Kentucky over the last year.  In preparation for this year's annual

conference in April, we wanted to share with you what business will be discussed.

The business presented before the Assembly this year is as follows:

 

Motion 1:

*Establish an Ad Hoc Committee to:

*Develop a recruitment program for current and past members of ASD

*Other AOTA members interested in participating in the RA

*To include workshops at state and national levels

*Provide strategies and opportunities to become involved in RA and other leadership positions

*Be registered on the COOL database

Cost- *$2090

 

This motion focuses on increasing volunteer pool and gets people more involved.

(Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Motion 2:

*The recognitions and nominating committees to develop standard operating procedures,

job descriptions and a transition plan in collaboration with the BPPC to develop and implement

the Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDS) as a standing committee

*Develop the leadership of AOTA members

Cost-*$5200

 

The VLDS was also proposed for the last two years, again attempting to create more leaders

in the organization. (Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Motion 3:

*The RA leadership team will develop criteria and a process for motions based on uniformity

of procedures and timelines, and for soliciting and accepting motions on an ongoing basis.

*RALT will also develop guidelines for AOTA members to seek support and assistance from

their RA representative for developing and forwarding motions to the RA.

Cost- *$2235

 

This motion focuses on improving the process in which motions come before the RA.

(Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

Motion 4:

*The speaker of the RA will establish regionally-based RA Leadership Networking Communities

Form 8 Leadership Networking Communities (regional cluster of state/election areas)

*Have each community self-appoint a Chair

*Assign at least 1 RALT or RACC member to each community

*Recommend each community hold 3-4 meetings per year by conference call, 1 hour calls, group

decides times and dates

*Have each community submit a brief report of minutes after each meeting

Cost-$ *2720

 

This was also proposed last year but the change this year is that these Networking Communities

will be a committee on the Representative Assembly and not replace the Representative Assembly.

There is still a question if this 8 region group would represent KY’s needs and interests as we would

be in a region with several other states with possibly different issues. (Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Motion 5:

*Eliminate Alternate Representative position

*Cost $0

 

An alternative is presented in Motion 6 (Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Motion 6:

*Establish a Representative-Elect position

*Serve 1 year and start office July 1 in the year following their election

*Term would be 3 years

*Can only serve 2 consecutive terms in same position

*Cost $8500

 

This motion would help the states fill their Representative Assembly position every year.

(Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Motion 7:

*Establish an OTA Representative-Elect position

*Elect positions serve for 1 year and assume office on July 1 in the year following their election

*Can not serve more than 2 consecutive terms in same position

*Cost $500

This motion would give representation to an OTA which would be great. (Rhonda and Camille interpretation)

 

Rhonda has been part of the committee over the last year that has created these motions so if you have

questions, she is a great resource.  Please share your thoughts and ask questions to both Rhonda and

Camille so they can take your feedback to the annual conference.

Rhonda- tennisotr@yahoo.com

Camille- camsku@insightbb.com

Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association
P.O. Box 5531 . Louisville, KY 40255 . Toll Free: 1-888-987-KOTA (5682) . Email: kotaweb@kotaweb.org