A Motion to Update Policy E.6 Entry-Level Education of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants


I am receiving email asking for assistance in drafting specific language for RA Motions related to the entry level educational mandates.  Here are my suggestions - please work with your RA representatives and each other to coordinate efforts.

II. BODY OF MOTION:

I move that the Representative Assembly revise Policy E.6 to read as follows: 

PURPOSE: To state the education required for entry into occupational therapy.   

IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THE ASSOCIATION THAT: 
 1. The Association recommends and supports entry-level education at the associate and bachelor degree level for occupational therapy assistants.  
2. The Association recommends and supports entry level education at the master’s and doctoral degree levels for occupational therapists.   
3. Consistent with the Association’s desire to improve practice, education, and research, the Association will take active steps to promote new programs and to assist existing programs to develop in ways that are congruent with the preparation of graduates who have the ability to frame, analyze, and solve complex practice problems.  Any active steps taken by the Association must be within the parameters that are outlined in this Policy, specifically, with support of dual levels of entry for the OTA (associate and bachelor level) and dual levels of entry for the OT (master's and doctoral level).


III. RATIONALE:

·    1. The RA is directly responsible for establishing professional standards and policies as stated in AOTA Articles of Incorporation. 
     2. The existing policy does not address the dual level of entry for OTA practice.  Also, the previous Policy as written was not followed by the Association and did not explicate the parameters under which the Association should promote and assist educational programs, which contributed to overreach by ACOTE who unduly attempted to circumvent Association policy with escalated educational requirements.   
     3. This motion clearly limits any other associated functional group within the Association from circumventing the RA, which is the body responsible for establishing professional standards and policies – including the establishment of entry level standards for entry to the profession. 
      (See ‘FAQs from AOTA’s Board of Directors on the OT and OTA Mandates’ and ‘Education Mandates Background Materials,’ specifically the ‘Board Memos to ACOTE’ after 7/12/18 meeting and 8/14/18).
    4. The proposed policy supports AOTA Vision 2025 by ensuring a diverse and appropriately trained workforce that is able to promote health, well-being, and quality of life.
    5. The proposed policy is specifically related to Strategic Priority Goal #2: Prepare and develop the profession.



IV. RESOURCES: 

1. AOTA Staff (e.g., number of staff, lawyers, consultants, authors, and/or subject matter experts).  AOTA staff will require appropriate training on the Policy to ensure that functional units within the Association do not act in contravention of Association policy.               

2. AOTA Volunteers (please indicate type and number anticipated).   AOTA volunteers will require appropriate training on the Policy to ensure that the actions and decisions of volunteers do not act in contravention of Association policy.

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