Strengthening OTP capacity to address the needs of newcomers and promote mental health across settings
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
3:10 PM – 4:10 PM
Course Description
Newcomers often experience trauma and systematic barriers that impact their occupational engagement, mental health, and well-being. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) use a trauma-informed and client-centered lens to support newcomer needs. Experiences from a non-traditional, community-based setting serving refugees and immigrants will be shared to highlight the prevalence of newcomers in our communities and need for culturally responsive OTP care. Communication modification and mental health promotion strategies will be discussed to foster adaptability across OT practice settings. Newcomer support resources will be reviewed to strengthen OTPs’ toolbox. Emphasis will be placed on the value of collaboration and rapport. Engagement will be enhanced with case examples, photos, and interactive discussions.
Speakers
Breeanna Host, OTD, OTR/L is a dedicated occupational therapist based in Ohio, specializing in community-based therapy and immigrant support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University and went on to complete her doctoral training in Occupational Therapy at Cleveland State University. Driven by a passion for health equity, Breeanna serves as an Occupational Therapist with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). In this role, she develops innovative, culturally responsive therapeutic programs—such as therapeutic weaving and creative arts—to empower refugees, immigrants, and displaced individuals as they transition into new communities.
Cassandra Mattix, MOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with USCRI’s Cleveland office, where she provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive occupational therapy services to refugee and immigrant clients. Her work includes one-to-one, family-based, and group-based interventions, including an employment-readiness and mental wellness program for refugee clients. Beyond direct client care, Cassandra supports the broader USCRI team through training for Matching Grant, Refugee Support Service, and Employment Engagement Programs’ supervisors and staff. These trainings focus on increasing confidence and cultural awareness and include a training manual with a group plan template, space and activity considerations, translated visuals in six languages, and male and female personal hygiene kits for refugee clients. She also collaborates with the Fun and Stuff Committee to provide seasonal activities, a monthly newsletter, and monthly off-site networking events that promote positive employee mental health through team building and health and wellness strategies.
Rachel Rogers, MOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with a deep commitment to serving refugee and immigrant communities through trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice. She currently works at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Cleveland, where she provides one-to-one, family-based, and group occupational therapy services and supervises OT students. Her clinical background also includes school-based practice at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland and STEPS Educational Group, as well as inpatient experience in the NICU and PICU at MetroHealth Medical Center. Rachel is a part-time instructor at Cleveland State University’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program, where she teaches a service-learning course in partnership with the Northeast Reintegration Center to support soon-to-be returning citizens.
Rachel is an active leader and advocate in the profession, having presented at the Ohio Occupational Therapy State Conference, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Conference in Bangkok, and the PEGASUS Institute International Conference. She serves on the Ohio Occupational Therapy Mentorship Committee and is a member of the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers Mental Health Committee. Her work has been recognized with the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association Model Practice Award (2024) and the Jane Case Smith Outstanding OT Student Award (2018). Rachel holds a Master of Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, summa cum laude, both from Cleveland State University.
Content Level
Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.
Intermediate: This level assumes the audience has general familiarity with the literature and professional practice. The focus of the presentation is on increased understanding and application by the participants.
Practice Areas
Community-based Practice; Emerging Practice Area; Health and Wellness; Mental Health