Dear all,

To be fully informed about the Association's current support for the entry-level OTD abeyance and process as to why we are having to reconsider an alternate strategic direction, I developed a timeline from the AOTA.org archives.   Based on my commitment to form my own opinion based on primary source materials, I included information that could be confirmed by documentation including: AOTA Board of Director (BOD) minutes and reports, ACOTE's newsletters, all documentation shared within this listserv, and information shared from the ALC meetings (see the attached file).  Several PD's mentioned the need to justify such processes to the people above - you are welcome to share the attached documentation with such individuals.  Unfortunately, I did not find any indication counsel influenced the decision making of the Association. In addition, the past Speaker of the RA was well informed of the conversation with a suggested motion (October 2017 BOD Report).  Finally, despite a meticulous search, I was left wondering about the BOD Ad Hoc Committee outcomes led by the Secretary in 2014. Again, I was not able to locate any reports/outcomes relating back to this committee.

I'm not suggesting my specific issues should occupy time for the planned agenda for Tuesday, but perhaps the Association would consider can acknowledgement of the historical value of past conversations and Association process was present; to move us all forward.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Robyn Otty

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________________________________________
From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 8:50 PM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - Re: Daily digest for ot-pd@aotalists.org

Hi all-
I have one additional question.  While working on updating information for our website, I noticed that publicly on the AOTA website, the most current information about accreditation still reflects the mandate as in place.

Question: What is the timeline for publicly updating this website information to reflect that the mandate is currently in abeyance?  Speaking to other comments/ questions, PDs share information with prospective students and other members of the public.  Having the past processes and timeline on this page is helpful, but it is not up to date with our current status/ situation and thus could add to the confusion.  The OTA abeyance is clearly shared here.

https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation.aspx

[image.png]

On Thu, Oct 18, 2018 at 9:05 PM AOTA ot-pd List > wrote:
Our deans have shared that while we were at the ALC, they were at the ASAHP meetings having a parallel discussion. Words like “messy,” “power struggle,” “confusing,” “embarrassing,” “fiasco” were dropped at those conversations to describe the situation that our profession is in.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to state that they share all the frustrations that many of us have regarding the reversal of the BoD’s stance on the matter.

So add to the conundrum, the terrible public relations this situation has created internal and external to our respective institutions/programs – putting programs and faculty at a defensive position instead of a position of advocacy. How will the audience listen to our “distinct value” talk when our credibility is compromised by the chaotic state of affairs within our academic community.

How about the looming Medicare changes? Many of our constituencies who lived through the late 90s, feel a moment of déjà vu --- that what is happening now feels like 1998 again -- when the AOTA-NBCOT legal conflict came at the heels of the BBA of 1997.  See https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/24/494/2516910/ as a painful reminder. Do we have enough strategy to assert our value proposition?

So the one question I have to our decision makes is: What is the morally courageous thing to do? Where is Vision 2025 and beyond in all of these?

Salvador Bondoc, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CHT, FAOTA
Chair and Professor of Occupational Therapy
Quinnipiac University
275 Mt. Carmel Ave. MNH-362
Hamden, CT.06518
Phone: 203-582-3727
E-mail:  Salvador.Bondoc@quinnipiac.edu

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is solely for use by the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential and privileged information or otherwise protected by law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, distribution or forwarding of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender via reply email and destroy the original and all copies of this message and its attachments.

From: AOTA Discussion Lists >
Reply-To: "ot-pd@aotalists.org" >
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 8:05 PM
To: "ot-pd@aotalists.org" >
Subject: Daily digest for ot-pd@aotalists.org

(Previous discussion continued)

RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 08:06 EDT)

Re: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 09:31 EDT)

RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 10:25 EDT)

RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 11:37 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 11:52 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 12:37 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:33 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:50 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 18:57 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 19:01 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 14:28 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 16:34 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:36 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:48 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 14:15 EDT)

Challenge from Chris Metzler AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:46 EDT)

RE: Challenge from Chris Metzler AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 13:59 EDT)

RE: Challenge from Chris Metzler AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 15:07 EDT)

RE: Challenge from Chris Metzler AOTA Chief Public Affairs Officer - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 16:34 EDT)

AOTA sponsors National Academies" workshop on The Role of Nonpharmacological Approaches to Pain Management - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 16:26 EDT)

competency exam - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 17:11 EDT)

Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - competency exam - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 17:15 EDT)

RE: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - competency exam - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 17:29 EDT)

Re: competency exam - AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 17:29 EDT)

________________________________
RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb by AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 08:06 EDT)
Reply to list

Hello everyone,

Thank you President Lamb for holding this call and thank you Neil for organizing.  I am sharing my questions here and am hopeful others are willing will do the same.   I believe this may help facilitate the process as PDs may see that a question they have is already being asked they don’t have to take the time to compose a message to Neil if they don’t wish.   Completely understand some may wish to keep their questions confidential and if so please disregard this request.

1.            AOTA BOD has said the reason for the change in direction in regards to BOD support for the mandate was in response to new legal counsel interpretation.  If the BOD was truly not in support of this action and it was simply a matter of misinterpretation as to AOTA’s role in this process, why twice reaffirm support for ACOTE’s action after the fact?  Also, wasn’t new legal counsel in place prior to the fall of 2017 when the BOD twice reaffirmed support for the mandate?

2.            What justification did legal counsel provide to say that the entry-level degree is a professional policy?  The BOD references the bylaws which simple say the RA is charged with professional policy but there is no reference anywhere in any documents that defines professional policy.  Why would the OTD mandate be professional policy but other entry level degree decisions have not been?  For instance, the creation of the bachelor’s OTA entry by ACOTE was never considered by the RA and has been uncontested by AOTA.

3.            ACOTE is a category 2 agency under USDE so while all the separate and independent requirements don’t apply AOTA and ACOTE have traditionally chosen to recognize many of these through the MOU in order to address the other USDE requirements related to demonstration of attempts to minimize conflict of interest.  The MOU is provided to USDE as evidence as to how AOTA and ACOTE will interact.  We have confirmation from AOTA that the MOU is still in place and being recognized/followed by AOTA.  If the MOU is in place and AOTA is recognizing it, does AOTA believe that their actions are allowable under the terms of the agreement in the MOU?  If so, why has the messaging around this action included a discussion related to the MOU?  Why even mention it as not legally enforceable if it does not matter in this current situation?

4.            I have asked on the PD listserv and then it was asked at the ALC meeting for written confirmation from USDE regarding their interpretation of this action.  Specifically, the concern is whether or not this action by AOTA may compromise USDE recognition of ACOTE.  AOTA has said they have this confirmation and they will provide it however we have not received it.  Meanwhile the analysts at USDE are telling us they have an open inquiry into this matter and are investigating this action by AOTA.  They have specifically said they are evaluating the action taken by the BOD in light of the terms of the MOU and the USDE regulations.  We also received a letter from the director of the Accreditation Group at USDE, Herman Bounds, which seems to conflict with this information from AOTA as well.   Why would Mr. Bounds not mention in his letter to the PDs that this has been reviewed with AOTA and USDE agrees with their position?  There is a conflict in message we are directly getting from USDE and what AOTA is telling us.  Does AOTA have a report from USDE where their actions are found to be compliance with USDE regulations for recognition?

Thank you all

Best wishes

Tim

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Occupational Therapy

University of Missouri

810 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-8403

wolftj@health.missouri.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3:22 PM
To: Ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Dear colleagues,

OT-ALC Chairperson Dr Gavin Jenkins shared at last week’s meeting in Louisville that he had asked President Lamb to host a one hour conference call with the OT-ALC next Tuesday to address questions about the AOTA / ACOTE dialogue on the entry-level degree for the OT.  In response to this request the following call has been scheduled:

Date:     Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

Time:     2:00-3:00pm (east) / 1:00-2:00pm (central)/ Noon -1:00pm (mountain)/ 11:00am- Noon (west)

Please call in to 1-888-585-9008, dial in to Conference Room 994-980-437

As we only have an hour available for the call we would like to utilize the time as efficiently as possible.  Please forward questions to Neil (nharvison@aota.org) by COB (6pm east) on Friday October 19th . This will enable staff the opportunity to cluster questions and eliminate duplication.

Thank you again for your leadership.

Neil

Neil Harvison PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Chief Professional Affairs Officer

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

(301) 652-2682 (ext 2202)| nharvison@aota.org  | www.aota.org

NOTE: The contents of this e-mail are intended for recipients of this message only and should not be shared without permission.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA Specialty Conference: Adult Rehabilitation in Los Angeles, California – November 30 – December 1, 2018.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave in Atlantic City, New Jersey – November 9-10, 2108.

Join conversations and make connections on
AOTA | CommunOT | Facebook | Twitter

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest ®

IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This message from AOTA is or may be privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to act on behalf of the intended recipient) of this message, you may not disclose, forward, distribute, copy, or use this message or its contents. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message from your e-mail system.

________________________________
Re: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb by AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 09:31 EDT)
Reply to list

Thank you all,
 I would like to hear the AOTA Board's current opinion regarding the transition to the OTD.  I have not seen a clear statement that indicates a reversal of their opinion that the profession should move to one entry level credential - the OTD.  Rather, it is my understanding that we are dealing with a process issue.  The question is - what is the AOTA Board's position now?  Is it waiting to hear from the task force?  And legally can a Board change its position or must it honor the prior Board's decisions?
Dr. Wolf refers to a letter from the USDE - has this been shared with all Program Directors?  I personally have not seen this letter.

Thank you for offering this forum.

Beth Ekelman
Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L
Professor and Director, Master of Occupational Therapy Program
School of Health Sciences
Office Phone: (216) 687-3542
Fax: (216) 687-9316
Email: b.ekelman@csuohio.edu
Mailing Address:
Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, HS 101
Cleveland, OH 44115

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org > on behalf of AOTA ot-pd List >
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 8:06 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Hello everyone,

Thank you President Lamb for holding this call and thank you Neil for organizing.  I am sharing my questions here and am hopeful others are willing will do the same.   I believe this may help facilitate the process as PDs may see that a question they have is already being asked they don’t have to take the time to compose a message to Neil if they don’t wish.   Completely understand some may wish to keep their questions confidential and if so please disregard this request.

1.            AOTA BOD has said the reason for the change in direction in regards to BOD support for the mandate was in response to new legal counsel interpretation.  If the BOD was truly not in support of this action and it was simply a matter of misinterpretation as to AOTA’s role in this process, why twice reaffirm support for ACOTE’s action after the fact?  Also, wasn’t new legal counsel in place prior to the fall of 2017 when the BOD twice reaffirmed support for the mandate?

2.            What justification did legal counsel provide to say that the entry-level degree is a professional policy?  The BOD references the bylaws which simple say the RA is charged with professional policy but there is no reference anywhere in any documents that defines professional policy.  Why would the OTD mandate be professional policy but other entry level degree decisions have not been?  For instance, the creation of the bachelor’s OTA entry by ACOTE was never considered by the RA and has been uncontested by AOTA.

3.            ACOTE is a category 2 agency under USDE so while all the separate and independent requirements don’t apply AOTA and ACOTE have traditionally chosen to recognize many of these through the MOU in order to address the other USDE requirements related to demonstration of attempts to minimize conflict of interest.  The MOU is provided to USDE as evidence as to how AOTA and ACOTE will interact.  We have confirmation from AOTA that the MOU is still in place and being recognized/followed by AOTA.  If the MOU is in place and AOTA is recognizing it, does AOTA believe that their actions are allowable under the terms of the agreement in the MOU?  If so, why has the messaging around this action included a discussion related to the MOU?  Why even mention it as not legally enforceable if it does not matter in this current situation?

4.            I have asked on the PD listserv and then it was asked at the ALC meeting for written confirmation from USDE regarding their interpretation of this action.  Specifically, the concern is whether or not this action by AOTA may compromise USDE recognition of ACOTE.  AOTA has said they have this confirmation and they will provide it however we have not received it.  Meanwhile the analysts at USDE are telling us they have an open inquiry into this matter and are investigating this action by AOTA.  They have specifically said they are evaluating the action taken by the BOD in light of the terms of the MOU and the USDE regulations.  We also received a letter from the director of the Accreditation Group at USDE, Herman Bounds, which seems to conflict with this information from AOTA as well.   Why would Mr. Bounds not mention in his letter to the PDs that this has been reviewed with AOTA and USDE agrees with their position?  There is a conflict in message we are directly getting from USDE and what AOTA is telling us.  Does AOTA have a report from USDE where their actions are found to be compliance with USDE regulations for recognition?

Thank you all

Best wishes

Tim

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Occupational Therapy

University of Missouri

810 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-8403

wolftj@health.missouri.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3:22 PM
To: Ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Dear colleagues,

OT-ALC Chairperson Dr Gavin Jenkins shared at last week’s meeting in Louisville that he had asked President Lamb to host a one hour conference call with the OT-ALC next Tuesday to address questions about the AOTA / ACOTE dialogue on the entry-level degree for the OT.  In response to this request the following call has been scheduled:

Date:     Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

Time:     2:00-3:00pm (east) / 1:00-2:00pm (central)/ Noon -1:00pm (mountain)/ 11:00am- Noon (west)

Please call in to 1-888-585-9008, dial in to Conference Room 994-980-437

As we only have an hour available for the call we would like to utilize the time as efficiently as possible.  Please forward questions to Neil (nharvison@aota.org) by COB (6pm east) on Friday October 19th . This will enable staff the opportunity to cluster questions and eliminate duplication.

Thank you again for your leadership.

Neil

Neil Harvison PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Chief Professional Affairs Officer

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

(301) 652-2682 (ext 2202)| nharvison@aota.org  | www.aota.org

NOTE: The contents of this e-mail are intended for recipients of this message only and should not be shared without permission.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA Specialty Conference: Adult Rehabilitation in Los Angeles, California – November 30 – December 1, 2018.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave in Atlantic City, New Jersey – November 9-10, 2108.

Join conversations and make connections on
AOTA | CommunOT | Facebook | Twitter

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest ®

IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This message from AOTA is or may be privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to act on behalf of the intended recipient) of this message, you may not disclose, forward, distribute, copy, or use this message or its contents. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message from your e-mail system.

________________________________
RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb by AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 10:25 EDT)
Reply to list

Colleagues,

I appreciate Tim’s email and Beth’s request and agree Program Director’s and the profession need more information about this change in direction for the OTD and its 2027 deadline. I too would appreciate receiving a copy of the letter from the USDE. As a Program Director I do not recall receiving one.

I also believe it is important to hear from ACOTE directly since they are our accrediting body and ACOTE is the body that  issued the mandate in July.

Beverly Horowitz

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 9:32 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - Re: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Thank you all,

 I would like to hear the AOTA Board's current opinion regarding the transition to the OTD.  I have not seen a clear statement that indicates a reversal of their opinion that the profession should move to one entry level credential - the OTD.  Rather, it is my understanding that we are dealing with a process issue.  The question is - what is the AOTA Board's position now?  Is it waiting to hear from the task force?  And legally can a Board change its position or must it honor the prior Board's decisions?   Dr. Wolf refers to a letter from the USDE - has this been shared with all Program Directors?  I personally have not seen this letter.

Thank you for offering this forum.

Beth Ekelman

Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L

Professor and Director, Master of Occupational Therapy Program

School of Health Sciences

Office Phone: (216) 687-3542

Fax: (216) 687-9316
Email: b.ekelman@csuohio.edu

Mailing Address:

Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L

Cleveland State University

2121 Euclid Avenue, HS 101

Cleveland, OH 44115

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org > on behalf of AOTA ot-pd List >
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 8:06 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Hello everyone,

Thank you President Lamb for holding this call and thank you Neil for organizing.  I am sharing my questions here and am hopeful others are willing will do the same.   I believe this may help facilitate the process as PDs may see that a question they have is already being asked they don’t have to take the time to compose a message to Neil if they don’t wish.   Completely understand some may wish to keep their questions confidential and if so please disregard this request.

1.            AOTA BOD has said the reason for the change in direction in regards to BOD support for the mandate was in response to new legal counsel interpretation.  If the BOD was truly not in support of this action and it was simply a matter of misinterpretation as to AOTA’s role in this process, why twice reaffirm support for ACOTE’s action after the fact?  Also, wasn’t new legal counsel in place prior to the fall of 2017 when the BOD twice reaffirmed support for the mandate?

2.            What justification did legal counsel provide to say that the entry-level degree is a professional policy?  The BOD references the bylaws which simple say the RA is charged with professional policy but there is no reference anywhere in any documents that defines professional policy.  Why would the OTD mandate be professional policy but other entry level degree decisions have not been?  For instance, the creation of the bachelor’s OTA entry by ACOTE was never considered by the RA and has been uncontested by AOTA.

3.            ACOTE is a category 2 agency under USDE so while all the separate and independent requirements don’t apply AOTA and ACOTE have traditionally chosen to recognize many of these through the MOU in order to address the other USDE requirements related to demonstration of attempts to minimize conflict of interest.  The MOU is provided to USDE as evidence as to how AOTA and ACOTE will interact.  We have confirmation from AOTA that the MOU is still in place and being recognized/followed by AOTA.  If the MOU is in place and AOTA is recognizing it, does AOTA believe that their actions are allowable under the terms of the agreement in the MOU?  If so, why has the messaging around this action included a discussion related to the MOU?  Why even mention it as not legally enforceable if it does not matter in this current situation?

4.            I have asked on the PD listserv and then it was asked at the ALC meeting for written confirmation from USDE regarding their interpretation of this action.  Specifically, the concern is whether or not this action by AOTA may compromise USDE recognition of ACOTE.  AOTA has said they have this confirmation and they will provide it however we have not received it.  Meanwhile the analysts at USDE are telling us they have an open inquiry into this matter and are investigating this action by AOTA.  They have specifically said they are evaluating the action taken by the BOD in light of the terms of the MOU and the USDE regulations.  We also received a letter from the director of the Accreditation Group at USDE, Herman Bounds, which seems to conflict with this information from AOTA as well.   Why would Mr. Bounds not mention in his letter to the PDs that this has been reviewed with AOTA and USDE agrees with their position?  There is a conflict in message we are directly getting from USDE and what AOTA is telling us.  Does AOTA have a report from USDE where their actions are found to be compliance with USDE regulations for recognition?

Thank you all

Best wishes

Tim

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Occupational Therapy

University of Missouri

810 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-8403

wolftj@health.missouri.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3:22 PM
To: Ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Dear colleagues,

OT-ALC Chairperson Dr Gavin Jenkins shared at last week’s meeting in Louisville that he had asked President Lamb to host a one hour conference call with the OT-ALC next Tuesday to address questions about the AOTA / ACOTE dialogue on the entry-level degree for the OT.  In response to this request the following call has been scheduled:

Date:     Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

Time:     2:00-3:00pm (east) / 1:00-2:00pm (central)/ Noon -1:00pm (mountain)/ 11:00am- Noon (west)

Please call in to 1-888-585-9008, dial in to Conference Room 994-980-437

As we only have an hour available for the call we would like to utilize the time as efficiently as possible.  Please forward questions to Neil (nharvison@aota.org) by COB (6pm east) on Friday October 19th . This will enable staff the opportunity to cluster questions and eliminate duplication.

Thank you again for your leadership.

Neil

Neil Harvison PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Chief Professional Affairs Officer

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

(301) 652-2682 (ext 2202)| nharvison@aota.org  | www.aota.org

NOTE: The contents of this e-mail are intended for recipients of this message only and should not be shared without permission.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA Specialty Conference: Adult Rehabilitation in Los Angeles, California – November 30 – December 1, 2018.

Register Now for the 2018 AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave in Atlantic City, New Jersey – November 9-10, 2108.

Join conversations and make connections on
AOTA | CommunOT | Facebook | Twitter

Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest ®

IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This message from AOTA is or may be privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to act on behalf of the intended recipient) of this message, you may not disclose, forward, distribute, copy, or use this message or its contents. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message from your e-mail system.

________________________________
RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb by AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 11:37 EDT)
Reply to list

Thank you Tim for all of your questions.  Here are the questions I hope will get answered during the podcast.

1.       A colleague on the PD listserv expressed concern a few weeks ago about the time and resources programs spent up to this point to prepare for possible conversions.  Given how long it took to require the Master’s degree, are you truly asking 500+ OTA and OT programs to potentially face years of limbo again?

2.       Shouldn’t we have a timeline with mandatory decision deadlines?

3.       Can the committee be required to complete their report to the RA by April and the RA required to conduct a final vote on or before December 31, 2019?  Shouldn’t a year should be plenty of time for this process?

4.       I remember filling out membership surveys asking my opinion on entry-level education.  What happened to all that data?

Christine E. Wright, PhD, OTR/L
Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Director,  OTD Program

Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
College of Nursing & Health Professions
P.O. Box 910
State University, AR 72467

Phone: 870-972-2274
Email: cwright@astate.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org >
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 7:06 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison >
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Hello everyone,

Thank you President Lamb for holding this call and thank you Neil for organizing.  I am sharing my questions here and am hopeful others are willing will do the same.   I believe this may help facilitate the process as PDs may see that a question they have is already being asked they don’t have to take the time to compose a message to Neil if they don’t wish.   Completely understand some may wish to keep their questions confidential and if so please disregard this request.

1.            AOTA BOD has said the reason for the change in direction in regards to BOD support for the mandate was in response to new legal counsel interpretation.  If the BOD was truly not in support of this action and it was simply a matter of misinterpretation as to AOTA’s role in this process, why twice reaffirm support for ACOTE’s action after the fact?  Also, wasn’t new legal counsel in place prior to the fall of 2017 when the BOD twice reaffirmed support for the mandate?

2.            What justification did legal counsel provide to say that the entry-level degree is a professional policy?  The BOD references the bylaws which simple say the RA is charged with professional policy but there is no reference anywhere in any documents that defines professional policy.  Why would the OTD mandate be professional policy but other entry level degree decisions have not been?  For instance, the creation of the bachelor’s OTA entry by ACOTE was never considered by the RA and has been uncontested by AOTA.

3.            ACOTE is a category 2 agency under USDE so while all the separate and independent requirements don’t apply AOTA and ACOTE have traditionally chosen to recognize many of these through the MOU in order to address the other USDE requirements related to demonstration of attempts to minimize conflict of interest.  The MOU is provided to USDE as evidence as to how AOTA and ACOTE will interact.  We have confirmation from AOTA that the MOU is still in place and being recognized/followed by AOTA.  If the MOU is in place and AOTA is recognizing it, does AOTA believe that their actions are allowable under the terms of the agreement in the MOU?  If so, why has the messaging around this action included a discussion related to the MOU?  Why even mention it as not legally enforceable if it does not matter in this current situation?

4.            I have asked on the PD listserv and then it was asked at the ALC meeting for written confirmation from USDE regarding their interpretation of this action.  Specifically, the concern is whether or not this action by AOTA may compromise USDE recognition of ACOTE.  AOTA has said they have this confirmation and they will provide it however we have not received it.  Meanwhile the analysts at USDE are telling us they have an open inquiry into this matter and are investigating this action by AOTA.  They have specifically said they are evaluating the action taken by the BOD in light of the terms of the MOU and the USDE regulations.  We also received a letter from the director of the Accreditation Group at USDE, Herman Bounds, which seems to conflict with this information from AOTA as well.   Why would Mr. Bounds not mention in his letter to the PDs that this has been reviewed with AOTA and USDE agrees with their position?  There is a conflict in message we are directly getting from USDE and what AOTA is telling us.  Does AOTA have a report from USDE where their actions are found to be compliance with USDE regulations for recognition?

Thank you all

Best wishes

Tim

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Occupational Therapy

University of Missouri

810 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-8403

wolftj@health.missouri.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3:22 PM
To: Ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Dear colleagues,

OT-ALC Chairperson Dr Gavin Jenkins shared at last week’s meeting in Louisville that he had asked President Lamb to host a one hour conference call with the OT-ALC next Tuesday to address questions about the AOTA / ACOTE dialogue on the entry-level degree for the OT.  In response to this request the following call has been scheduled:

Date:     Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

Time:     2:00-3:00pm (east) / 1:00-2:00pm (central)/ Noon -1:00pm (mountain)/ 11:00am- Noon (west)

Please call in to 1-888-585-9008, dial in to Conference Room 994-980-437

As we only have an hour available for the call we would like to utilize the time as efficiently as possible.  Please forward questions to Neil (nharvison@aota.org) by COB (6pm east) on Friday October 19th . This will enable staff the opportunity to cluster questions and eliminate duplication.

Thank you again for your leadership.

Neil

Neil Harvison PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Chief Professional Affairs Officer

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

(301) 652-2682 (ext 2202)| nharvison@aota.org  | www.aota.org

NOTE: The contents of this e-mail are intended for recipients of this message only and should not be shared without permission.

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Re: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb by AOTA ot-pd List (18 Oct 2018 11:52 EDT)
Reply to list

At ALC, I heard an explanation providing a version of the AOTA BOD’s decision making processes regarding the question: Is we is or is we ain’t an entry level OTD?

This explanation that was given was wrapped in copious amounts of legal and historical interpretations of who did what when. Personally, it was immensely dissatisfying. I heard many of my colleagues ask for clarifications to the communications we had received that were along these same lines of who, what, when. Some of the questions posted so far on this thread seem to follow that path. I feel one particularly salient characteristic that was palpable in the room of ALC attendees was “frustrated”; indeed “aggravated” or “exasperated” might better capture the tone.

As program directors we are “responsible for the management administration of the program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of accreditation, and commitment to strategies for professional development” (A.2.1). I do not know a program directors who does not take these responsibilities seriously and with the sincere understanding that they act on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of their programs and all of their families. We expect our leadership to do the same.

I am a simple person and can’t match the sophisticated arguments of so many of my peers. In my head I believe it to be a fact that the AOTA BOD for years said, let’s move to the OTD, let’s move to the OTD, let’s move to the OTD. ACOTE on the other hand at any number of their board meetings said let’s keep two routes of entry for the OTR and keep the COTA at the associates level, let’s keep two routes of entry for the OTR and keep the COTA at the associates level, let’s keep two routes of entry for the OTR and keep the COTA at the associates level.

Then ACOTE said, OK let’s have the route of entry for the OTR to be the OTD and let’s make the COTA entry at the baccalaureate level. Then chaos ensued. I personally find it painful that I cannot authoritatively answer my students, prospective students, their families, my faculty, or my senior administrators questions about the road forward in OT related to entry-level education.

My questions to Dr. Lamb focus on what and when.

What is the specific time line for the RA to take up, deliberate, and act?  When can we anticipate that they will have moved through the processes that the AOTA BOD say were not followed? Given your intimate knowledge of AOTA and the RA when can we reasonably expect resolution to this issue?

Richard Wilbur has a poem called simply “Juggler”.  I have on occasion mistaken it for my job description as a program director.  The opening line is, “A ball will bounce, but less and less. It’s not a light hearted thing, resents its own resilience”.

I don’t want to resent my own resilience, but I am exasperated.

J

Jaime Muñoz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Department Chair and Associate Professor

Duquesne University

Department of Occupational Therapy

600 Forbes Avenue, Room 211

Pittsburgh, PA  15282

412-396-5950

Practice Scholars who Serve, Do, Question, and Lead

Justice Based Occupational Therapy - https://otincriminaljustice.weebly.com

From: > on behalf of AOTA ot-pd List >
Reply-To: "ot-pd@aotalists.org" >
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 10:26 AM
To: "ot-pd@aotalists.org" >
Cc: Neil Harvison >
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Colleagues,

I appreciate Tim’s email and Beth’s request and agree Program Director’s and the profession need more information about this change in direction for the OTD and its 2027 deadline. I too would appreciate receiving a copy of the letter from the USDE. As a Program Director I do not recall receiving one.

I also believe it is important to hear from ACOTE directly since they are our accrediting body and ACOTE is the body that  issued the mandate in July.

Beverly Horowitz

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 9:32 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - Re: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Thank you all,

 I would like to hear the AOTA Board's current opinion regarding the transition to the OTD.  I have not seen a clear statement that indicates a reversal of their opinion that the profession should move to one entry level credential - the OTD.  Rather, it is my understanding that we are dealing with a process issue.  The question is - what is the AOTA Board's position now?  Is it waiting to hear from the task force?  And legally can a Board change its position or must it honor the prior Board's decisions?   Dr. Wolf refers to a letter from the USDE - has this been shared with all Program Directors?  I personally have not seen this letter.

Thank you for offering this forum.

Beth Ekelman

Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L

Professor and Director, Master of Occupational Therapy Program

School of Health Sciences

Office Phone: (216) 687-3542

Fax: (216) 687-9316
Email: b.ekelman@csuohio.edu

Mailing Address:

Beth Ekelman, PhD, JD, OTR/L

Cleveland State University

2121 Euclid Avenue, HS 101

Cleveland, OH 44115

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org > on behalf of AOTA ot-pd List >
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 8:06 AM
To: ot-pd@aotalists.org
Cc: Neil Harvison
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - RE: OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Hello everyone,

Thank you President Lamb for holding this call and thank you Neil for organizing.  I am sharing my questions here and am hopeful others are willing will do the same.   I believe this may help facilitate the process as PDs may see that a question they have is already being asked they don’t have to take the time to compose a message to Neil if they don’t wish.   Completely understand some may wish to keep their questions confidential and if so please disregard this request.

1.            AOTA BOD has said the reason for the change in direction in regards to BOD support for the mandate was in response to new legal counsel interpretation.  If the BOD was truly not in support of this action and it was simply a matter of misinterpretation as to AOTA’s role in this process, why twice reaffirm support for ACOTE’s action after the fact?  Also, wasn’t new legal counsel in place prior to the fall of 2017 when the BOD twice reaffirmed support for the mandate?

2.            What justification did legal counsel provide to say that the entry-level degree is a professional policy?  The BOD references the bylaws which simple say the RA is charged with professional policy but there is no reference anywhere in any documents that defines professional policy.  Why would the OTD mandate be professional policy but other entry level degree decisions have not been?  For instance, the creation of the bachelor’s OTA entry by ACOTE was never considered by the RA and has been uncontested by AOTA.

3.            ACOTE is a category 2 agency under USDE so while all the separate and independent requirements don’t apply AOTA and ACOTE have traditionally chosen to recognize many of these through the MOU in order to address the other USDE requirements related to demonstration of attempts to minimize conflict of interest.  The MOU is provided to USDE as evidence as to how AOTA and ACOTE will interact.  We have confirmation from AOTA that the MOU is still in place and being recognized/followed by AOTA.  If the MOU is in place and AOTA is recognizing it, does AOTA believe that their actions are allowable under the terms of the agreement in the MOU?  If so, why has the messaging around this action included a discussion related to the MOU?  Why even mention it as not legally enforceable if it does not matter in this current situation?

4.            I have asked on the PD listserv and then it was asked at the ALC meeting for written confirmation from USDE regarding their interpretation of this action.  Specifically, the concern is whether or not this action by AOTA may compromise USDE recognition of ACOTE.  AOTA has said they have this confirmation and they will provide it however we have not received it.  Meanwhile the analysts at USDE are telling us they have an open inquiry into this matter and are investigating this action by AOTA.  They have specifically said they are evaluating the action taken by the BOD in light of the terms of the MOU and the USDE regulations.  We also received a letter from the director of the Accreditation Group at USDE, Herman Bounds, which seems to conflict with this information from AOTA as well.   Why would Mr. Bounds not mention in his letter to the PDs that this has been reviewed with AOTA and USDE agrees with their position?  There is a conflict in message we are directly getting from USDE and what AOTA is telling us.  Does AOTA have a report from USDE where their actions are found to be compliance with USDE regulations for recognition?

Thank you all

Best wishes

Tim

Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Occupational Therapy

University of Missouri

810 Clark Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

573-882-8403

wolftj@health.missouri.edu

From: ot-pd@aotalists.org [mailto:ot-pd@aotalists.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 3:22 PM
To: Ot-pd@aotalists.org
Subject: [OT-PD List - AOTA] - OT_ALC Dialogue with President Lamb

Dear colleagues,

OT-ALC Chairperson Dr Gavin Jenkins shared at last week’s meeting in Louisville that he had asked President Lamb to host a one hour conference call with the OT-ALC next Tuesday to address questions about the AOTA / ACOTE dialogue on the entry-level degree for the OT.  In response to this request the following call has been scheduled:

Date:     Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

Time:     2:00-3:00pm (east) / 1:00-2:00pm (central)/ Noon -1:00pm (mountain)/ 11:00am- Noon (west)

Please call in to 1-888-585-9008, dial in to Conference Room 994-980-437

As we only have an hour available for the call we would like to utilize the time as efficiently as possible.  Please forward questions to Neil (nharvison@aota.org) by COB (6pm east) on Friday October 19th . This will enable staff the opportunity to cluster questions and eliminate duplication.

Thank you again for your leadership.

Neil

Neil Harvison PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Chief Professional Affairs Officer

American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

(301) 652-2682 (ext 2202)| nharvison@aota.org  |

--
Allison Ellington, OTD, OTR/L
Director of the Occupational Therapy Program

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Mary Baldwin University
100 Baldwin Blvd.
Fishersville, VA 22939

Office: 540-887-4058
Cell: 540-280-3374
Fax: 540-887-4329
email: aellington@marybaldwin.edu