OOTA

Managing Spasticity with MS
2025-12-08 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, 835 S. Main Street, Dayton, 45402, United States
Presented By: Jim Christoffel, PT, DPT, NCS
6:00 – 7:00pm | 1.0 Contact Hours
Ways spasticity is managed medically, pharmaceutically and in therapy.
Objectives:

Understanding MS
Understanding the role of therapy in conjunction with medications to manage spasticity
Best practices in managing spasticity

Hosted by West Central District
REGISTER HERE

Mental Health SIS -- QUARTERLY Meet Up
2025-11-12 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Mental Health SIS QUARTERLY Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.
If you are not yet a member of OOTA but want to attend this event, please call the office at 804.639.9213.

Date: Wednesday, November 12th
Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly and beginning in 2026, we will meet QUARTERLY on the first Wednesday of second month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootastaff@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Live Webinar ~ Prosthetics and the Role of OT
2025-11-11 18:30 - 19:30
LIVE WEBINAR – November 11, 2025
Presented by: Ava Thaman
1.0 Contact Hours
The course will include 4 modules covering common types of amputations, basic prosthetic components, and the essential role of occupational therapy in promoting independence and participation in meaningful daily activities. Each module will have a short pre and post quiz to optimize learning. Emphasis will be placed on real-world strategies, client-centered interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration to support holistic, compassionate care.
Register Here

Ohio Occupational Therapy Association – Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-11-09 09:00 - 15:30 | Online
HYBRID WEBINAR – November 9, 2025
In partnership with Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio
This education will take place in a blended format:

6.5 hours of live instruction on Zoom (9:00 am – 3:30 pm Eastern)
2 hours of online pre-work
manual accessed online

The Mental Health First Aid course equips you to recognize the signs of a mental health or substance use issue, giving you the tools and confidence to take action and help.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid here!

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone who registers after October 13, 2025 will be added to the waitlist for this event.

This course is being provided as an OOTA member benefit, and is available ONLY to members of the association.

Please CLICK HERE to be taken to the members-only registration page.

Occupational Therapy's Role in Motivational Interviewing
2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:30
Presented By: Grace Baur, OTR/L, Danielle Eilerman, OTR/L, Kyle Mesrin, OTR/L
7:00 – 8:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours
As OT practitioners, we promote healthy behaviors, but what do we do when the client doesn’t feel motivated? This course will address that missing link, moving beyond suggestions and planning to action. Motivational Interviewing is a useful tool for occupational therapy practitioners to provide client-centered care and increase client engagement in healthy habits and routines. This course will introduce participants to Motivational Interviewing strategies that they can use with a variety of practice settings and client populations. This live online course features a lab component where participants will practice Motivational Interviewing skills; please note that active participation with microphone on is required for the lab component.
Objectives:

Define holistic OT and motivational interviewing (MI)
Explain how MI aligns with OT values and client-centered care
Apply MI strategies (identify change and sustain talk, practice each of the OARS skills)
Identify ways to integrate MI into everyday practice

Hosted by Southwest District
REGISTER HERE

Live Webinar ~ OTs role in bowel and Bladder Programming with the SCI Population
2025-10-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – October 23, 2025
Presented by: Colleen Hirsch OTR/L and Allison Wigham OTR/L
1.5 Contact Hours
The course is about the OTs role in bowel and bladder programming with the SCI population.
Register Here

Live Webinar ~ Navigating the COTA and OTR Relationship
2025-09-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – September 29, 2025
Presented by: Jaime Garrett, OTR/L & Erin Hott, COTA/L
1.0 Contact Hours
Navigating the COTA and OTR Relationship CEU course is designed to provide a refresher on supervision rules set forth by the Ohio OTPTAT board. This course also reviews strategies to promote a healthy way to have difficult conversations between peers.
Register Here

IN-PERSON CE Event:Chronic Lateral Elbow Pain
2025-09-23 18:00 - 19:30 | UH Homecare, 4510 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, 44128, United States
IN-PERSON CE Event – September 23, 2025
Presented by: Matt Lott
1.5 Contact Hours
Location: UH Homecare, 4510 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128

This session explores how prompt engineering, the intentional crafting of prompts for large language models, can support academic participation for diverse learners. Attendees will learn strategies to guide students in engaging AI effectively, enhancing access to curriculum, and fostering independence in academic tasks.

Register Here

Hybrid Webinar ~ Supporting Learning Differences with AI Prompt Design
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Atwell Hall Lecture Hall, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
HYBRID WEBINAR – September 16, 2025
Presented by: Van Lemmon
1.5 Contact Hours
This session explores how prompt engineering, the intentional crafting of prompts for large language models, can support academic participation for diverse learners. Attendees will learn strategies to guide students in engaging AI effectively, enhancing access to curriculum, and fostering independence in academic tasks.
Register Here

Live Webinar ~ Clinical Assessment of the Hand and Wrist to Promote Functional Outcomes
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – August 21, 2025
Presented by: Angela Stephens
1.0 Contact Hours
This clinical education event will provide information to affect the delivery of occupational therapy for individuals with hand and wrist injuries/pathologies. Topics that will be covered during the clinical education event include: Clinical assessment of the hand and wrist; Manual palpation for anatomic structures and special testing; Patient rated outcome measures; Manual interventions including techniques for edema control, soft tissue mobilization, and scar maturation techniques; and Discussion of issues pertinent to the delivery of occupational therapy for hand and upper extremity interventions.
Register Here

OOTA Mental Health SIS ~ Monthly Meet Up
2025-08-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Mental Health SIS Monthly Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.

Date: Wednesday, August 6th
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Join Us for the First Meeting ~ Adults SIS!
2025-07-30 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Adults SIS Inaugural Meeting
Join us for the inaugural meeting of OOTA’s Adults SIS Group! This new group is led by our Adults Chair, Alyssa DeCarlo, and is designed for occupational therapy practitioners working with, or interested in, the adult population.

Date: Wednesday, July 30th
Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

This informal, experience-sharing group will meet quarterly and provide a space to connect with fellow practitioners, discuss challenges, share insights, and explore opportunities in the adult practice area.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just exploring this specialty, we’d love to have you join the conversation.
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

IN-PERSON CE Event: From Surviving to Thriving: Occupational Therapy Guidelines for Adults Navigating Life Beyond Cancer
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00 | University of Cincinnati Health Sciences Building, 3225 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
IN-PERSON CE Event – July 19, 2025
Presented by: Anne B. Fleischer, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L, CLT-LANA & Erin Rowan, OTR/L, CLT
3.0 Contact Hour
Location: University of Cincinnati Health Sciences Building, 3225 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267
This course will provide an overview of the different types of cancer, stages, and treatments and its impact on occupational functioning. It will also provide an overview of the management of edema, a common symptom of cancer treatment.
Register Here

OOTA Mental Health SIS ~ Monthly Meet Up
2025-07-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Mental Health SIS Monthly Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.

Date: Wednesday, July 2nd
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

OOTA DEIJAB Summer Book Club
2025-07-01 08:00 - 2025-07-31 17:00 | Online
Join Us This July for Fun, Connection & Summer Reading!
The OOTA is thrilled to announce our Summer 2025 Book Club selection: “Only When It’s Us” by Chloe Liese
This summer, we’re focusing on social connection rather than continuing education. Take this opportunity to network with fellow OT practitioners in a relaxed setting while enjoying a contemporary romance!
About the Book: “Only When It’s Us” offers an opportunity to explore intimate relationships through an occupational therapy lens. The novel follows the journey of Willa Sutter, a driven soccer player, and Ryder Bergman, who is dealing with hearing loss – creating a perfect backdrop for both fun and meaningful discussion among our professional community.
Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief
Why Join?

Make meaningful social connections with OT practitioners
Enjoy summer reading with purpose
Explore relationships through an OT perspective
Relax and recharge with fellow professionals

Details:

When: Throughout July 2025
Format: Asynchronous discussions via the Fable app
Read at your own pace and join conversations whenever it fits your schedule
Perfect for: Beach days, poolside relaxation, or unwinding after work
This is an adults-only book club—students are not eligible to participate.
Open to everyone, including non-OOTA members!

How to Participate:

Complete the Sign Up Form
Pick up a copy of “Only When It’s Us” by Chloe Liese
Download the Fable app and register for our book club
Set your own reading pace and engage with discussions whenever you’re ready
Share your thoughts and connect with colleagues throughout July – no scheduled meetings!

Remember, this is about enjoyment and connection – not professional development credits!
Register NOW!!

OOTA Mental Health SIS ~ Monthly Meet Up
2025-06-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Mental Health SIS Monthly Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.

Date: Wednesday, June 4th
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Live Webinar ~ Home Fit: Specialized Aging In Place for Ease, Speed, Safety and Independence
2025-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – May 20, 2025
Presented by: Tina Baucher, MSOT, OTR/L & Christie Stouffer, CAPS, Project Manager for Creative Housing Creative Renovations
2.0 Contact Hours
Fall Prevention Programs have 4 key elements and Home assessments/home modifications are considered in the top 4 by the CDC! What do OTPs do best- fit the environment to the person to be independent! The baby boom generation has many choices as this large population of potential clients for remodelers, builders, contractors and occupational therapists considers where to live – but overwhelmingly, seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes. Make your clients’ homes more “visitable.” Even if the home owners don’t think they need additional task lighting, grab bars, and other home modifications for their own use, their family members and visitors might. CAPS and OTPs together help you help your clients make the right choices. Aging-in-place means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. It addresses the need to remodel existing homes and design new homes, so that people can age in place and not have to move to assisted-living facilities as they age. The economics of aging-in-place modifications are a no-brainer. In addition to the economics, consider the psychological impact of being uprooted from your community, familiar rituals, independence and privacy..
Register Here

IN-PERSON CE Event: What I Wish I Knew Then: Functional Neurological Disorder in Occupational Therapy
2025-05-08 18:00 - 19:15 | Cincinnati Rehabilitation Hospital, 4291 Parkview Dr, Blue Ash, OH, 45242, United States
IN-PERSON CE Event – May 8, 2025
Presented by: Kelly Neal, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, c/NDT, CBIS
1.25 Contact Hour
Location: Cincinnati Rehabilitation Hospital, 4291 Parkview Dr, Blue Ash, OH 45242
This course will include a complimentary dinner while learning about functional neurological disorder, a common disorder seen in inpatient rehabilitation.
Register Here

OOTA Mental Health SIS ~ Monthly Meet Up
2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Mental Health SIS Monthly Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.

Date: Wednesday, May 7th
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!

OOTA 2025 Hill Day ~ May 7th
2025-05-07 | Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
OOTA Hill Day 2025: Advocate for OT in Columbus!
📅 Date: May 7, 2025
📍 Location: Ohio Statehouse, Columbus (1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215)
👥 Who Should Attend: OT practitioners, students, and supporters of occupational therapy advocacy
🔗 Registration: https://forms.gle/FNBWkFMdS9o4qTsv8
Join the OOTA for our annual Hill Day—a powerful opportunity to advocate for policies that strengthen OT practice and improve patient access to care. Together, we’ll meet with legislators, share our expertise, and push for meaningful change.
Why Participate?

Learn how state policy impacts your profession and your patients.
Meet face-to-face with lawmakers and legislative staff. No experience needed!
Connect with fellow OT practitioners and students from across the state.
Share your passion for occupational therapy and raise awareness about our vital role in healthcare.

Advocacy in Action: HB 141 Success
Thanks to collective efforts from the OT community, House Bill 141 (Copay Fairness Act) passed in 2024—ensuring fairer access to therapy services in Ohio. This victory was made possible by practitioners and students who engaged in advocacy through events like Hill Day. Now, we build on that momentum.
Help shape the future of occupational therapy in Ohio. The more voices we bring to the Statehouse, the stronger our message becomes.
REGISTER NOW!
Have questions? Contact us at ootastaff@gpsforgrowth.com.

Live Webinar - Handwriting in the 21st Century: What Does the Evidence Say?
2025-05-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – May 1, 2025
Presented by: Beverly Moskowitz, DOT, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
1.5 Contact Hours
This short course will discuss why handwriting is still relevant in the 21st century and how addressing this vital skill falls within the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. We will briefly cover empirical and neuroscientific research on why the shift needs to be back to basics, strategies to embed handwriting across the curriculum.
Register Here

Student Event ~ FAQs about the NBCOT® Certification Exams and Strategies and Resources to Support Exam Success
2025-04-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Attention Ohio OT Students!!
Your NBCOT® Exam Success Starts Here!
Are you preparing for the NBCOT® Certification Exam?
Join us for this informative virtual session with Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, as she provides essential insights into the NBCOT® exams for both OTR® and COTA® candidates.
What You’ll Learn:

The latest content, format, and scoring details for the NBCOT® exam (i.e., OTR® or COTA®).
How to obtain and use ADA test-taking accommodations (if eligible)
Effective strategies and resources to support exam success
How to critically evaluate exam preparation products

Event Details:
📅 Date: April 21, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST
💻 Location: Online (Virtual Event)
🎟 Cost: Free for OOTA Student Members | $15 for Non-OOTA Student Members
About the Presenter:
Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy, PhD, OTR, FAOTA is Professor Emeritus in Occupational Therapy at the University of Scranton and the Chairperson for the Occupational Therapy Leaders and Legacies Society (OTL&LS) History Preservation Project and an OTL&LS Board member. For over 25 years, she has served as an Instructor for TherapyEd’s certification preparation course, editor of TherapyEd’s Review and Study Guides for the NBCOT® certification exam, and author of multiple chapters in these texts.
Dr. Fleming-Castaldy’s professional contributions include the authorship of over 185 works including peer-reviewed national and international journal articles, international, national, and state peer-reviewed conference presentations, and well-regarded textbooks and book chapters. Her most influential works (some published under her former name of Cottrell) are those that bring disability rights, empowerment, and historical literacy to the forefront of the profession’s consciousness.

Live Webinar - After ACES: The Impact on Development and Behaviors and Need for Healthy Coping/ Social Emotional Skills in Youth
2025-04-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – April 17, 2025
Presented by: Shiloh Reynolds, S/OT; Kelly Gelske, OTD, OTR/L
1 Contact Hour
This presentation will provide examples of social determinants of health and family level and community-level adverse experiences, provide an overviews of certain societal trends related to adverse experiences, provide relevant statistics, and describe the neural/developmental impact of adverse childhood experiences. Attendees will reflect on the role of OT in promoting resilience factors like healthy coping skills, as well as learn about examples of social/emotional/ coping/self-regulation strategies across multiple MTSS Tiers for school-based therapy.
Register Here

OSU Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Presentations
2025-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus,, OH, 43210, United States
Join us for an engaging evening at The Ohio State University Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Presentations on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Longaberger Alumni House (2200 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43210).
This in-person event, hosted in collaboration with OOTA’s Central District, showcases innovative doctoral capstone projects from OSU occupational therapy students. Attendees can earn up to 2 contact hours (pending approval by the OT/PT/AT Board) while exploring impactful research and networking with students and practitioners.
No pre-registration required—register at the door! OOTA representatives will be available to share information on membership benefits and opportunities to get involved.
For more details, visit: u.osu.edu/kemp.59.

Live Webinar ~ Mental Health in Clinical Education
2025-04-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – April 09, 2025
Presented by: Ali Williams, OTD, OTR/L & Bailey Peters, OTD, OTR/L
1 Contact Hour | Meets the CE requirement for mental health for Ohio licensure renewal.
The realm of mental health within clinical education has many uncertainties that can increase stress. Clinical sites often face challenges in establishing a clinical placement, understanding the appropriate types of supervision to provide to students, and managing the stress associated with students who are struggling. This presentation aims to explain the processes and supervisory strategies pertinent to all occupational therapy (OT) clinical experiences. Through these discussions, we will explore methods for preparing for student placements, supervising students at various levels of their education, and offering resources for developing effective remediation plans.
Register Here

In-Person CE Event: Professional Advocacy - OTP Ethical Responsibility
2025-04-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Sinclair Community College, in The Forum 14-101. 444, Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St. Dayton, OH 45402, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
IN-PERSON CE Event – April 8, 2025
Presented by: Heidi McGohan, MEd, OTR/L, OTA/retired; Katie Tetrault Walker, MOT, OTR/L; Lauren Spradlin, BFA, COTA
1.5 Contact Hour | Meets the ethics, jurisprudence, and cultural competency requirement for Ohio licensure renewal.
Location: Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH 45402
OTPs will learn the definition of advocacy, how advocacy relates to ethical practice, and practical ways to advocate for the person, group, and population.
Register Here

OOTA Mental Health SIS ~ Monthly Virtual Meetup
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Mental Health SIS Monthly Meeting
Join us for the next Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) meeting! This session is open to OOTA members only, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapy practitioners passionate about mental health.

Date: Wednesday, April 2nd
Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm EST
Location: Online (Google Meet)

During this meeting, you’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance mental health services through occupational therapy.
The Mental Health SIS meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendars!
Interested but not an OOTA member?
Please email ootacatherine@gpsforgrowth.com for more information on how you can join.
We look forward to seeing you there!
REGISTER BELOW

North Central District ~ Virtual Meetup
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
North Central District – Virtual Meetup
Do you live in the counties that make up the North Central District? Join the North Central District of OOTA for an inspiring virtual meetup on March 22 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST! This event is open to both members and non-members, offering a wonderful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn with practitioners in your area.
What to Expect:

Introduction to OOTA: Discover the mission, vision, and initiatives of OOTA and how you can be part of this vibrant community.
Ideas for the Year: Get a sneak peek at exciting plans and projects for the North Central District in the coming year.
Networking with Practitioners: Connect with fellow professionals in the district, share insights, and build meaningful relationships

March Board Meeting
2025-03-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
OOTA’s March Board Meeting

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Virtual

The OOTA Board meets bi-monthly to discuss organizational direction, strategic initiatives, and key decisions.

Live Webinar ~ Everyday Ethics in OT – Striving for Excellence
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – March 13, 2025
Presented by: Barbara Elleman, OTD, OTR/L and Marita Hensley, COTA/L, ROH
1 Contact Hour | Meets the CE requirement ethics, jurisprudence, or cultural competence for Ohio licensure renewal.
This presentation will provide occupational therapy personnel with an overview of ethical behavior and decision making in the field. Attendees will be provided with resources to support ethical practice and striving for excellence as they navigate everyday ethical challenges.
Register Here
