Building Our Future Together: A Look Inside OOTA’s Strategic Planning Initiatives
Bonnie Boenig, MEd, OT/L, C/NDT
This past July, the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA) leadership gathered in Columbus for a strategic planning retreat. Fueled by a shared commitment to our profession’s future, we embarked on an ambitious journey to chart a course designed to empower Ohio’s OTs and OTAs for years to come. From these dynamic discussions, six core pillars emerged to guide our work: Advocacy, Education & Research, Communications, Inter-Organizational Collaboration, Leadership Development, and Membership.
This is more than a plan—it’s a commitment to listen, evolve, and build a stronger, more responsive OOTA that works for you. The first meetings of our task forces have already taken place, and the energy is electric. We are thrilled to pull back the curtain and share highlights of the initial work happening within these groups, extend the first of many invitations for you to join us in this transformative effort.
Membership: Listening First
The Membership Task Force is diving deep with an initial, member-centric priority: Identifying gaps in OOTA’s programming and membership to direct and sustain recruitment and retention efforts. Achieving this goal requires your input!
In the coming weeks, you will receive an extended needs assessment survey. Your candid feedback will help ensure that OOTA’s events and benefits align with your professional interests and challenges. When the survey arrives in your inbox, please take time to share your perspective. Your voice will directly shape what OOTA becomes. We are building this together.
Education & Research: Expanding Access and Impact
The Education & Research Task Force is committed to making professional development more accessible, relevant, and impactful. These initiatives provide resources intended to support practice and enhance outcomes for clients.
Task force work overview:
- Enhancing practice-relevant continuing education across diverse settings.
- Developing innovative learning formats, including microcredential programs that deliver targeted, setting-specific skills.
- Bridging research and practice by supporting the translation of evidence into everyday clinical tools.
Communication: Building Connection and Clarity
The Communications Task Force is reimagining how OOTA engages with members. The group is working to ensure that every interaction with OOTA is clear, helpful, and engaging.
Their ambitious initiatives include (but are not limited to):
- Quarterly virtual support rooms by practice area, creating spaces for peer support and collaboration.
- Visibility initiatives to connect members with leaders, staff, and each other through meet-and-greets and clear points of contact.
- Streamlined feedback channels, including a direct concern submission system.
- “We Need You” campaigns to highlight opportunities for member involvement and idea sharing.
Collaboration: Amplifying Our Collective Voice
The Collaboration Task Force is focusing on working to build powerful partnerships that advance advocacy, education, and workforce goals statewide. By joining forces with other healthcare professions and advocacy groups, OOTA can amplify its voice and achieve meaningful change on a broader scale than ever before.
Advocacy: Making Our Profession Heard
The Advocacy Task Force is developing an infrastructure to support greater recognition and representation of the occupational therapy profession in relevant settings and decision making. The strategic initiatives of this group support advocacy accessibility for every OOTA member.
Initial plans include:
- Hosting bi-annual Hill Days and Legislative Meetings to maintain a visible presence with policymakers.
- Establishing an OT Policy Committee/Special Interest Section to support the Government Relations Committee.
- Launching a rapid-response legislative alert system with template letters, making advocacy easier and more accessible for members.
- Partnering with physicians, nurses, and allied professionals to co-advocate for shared priorities, such as Medicaid reimbursement and scope of practice.
Leadership: Cultivating the Next Generation
A strong profession requires strong leaders. The Leadership Task Force is building pathways for mentorship, growth, and meaningful engagement at every career stage. Whether you are a student, early-career professional, or seasoned practitioner, OOTA is committed to developing leaders who will carry our profession forward.
Consider this invitation to get involved.
Strategic plans are living initiatives, designed to evolve with the perspectives, vision and energy of our members. The information presented here represents an initial overview. The objective is to ensure broad participation in this work by including a diverse range of perspectives. Volunteer opportunities for each task force referenced in this article are available. This is your chance to roll up your sleeves and help shape the future of occupational therapy in Ohio. Which area of focus aligns with your expertise and interest? Which task force goals ignite your passion to make change?
Stay tuned to your email inbox and to OOTA’s social media channels for upcoming calls to action. Together, we can transform our collective vision into tangible progress.
The future is bright for OOTA—let’s build it together.
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