On March 13, 2017, Melodie Ethel-King OTR/L from New Horizons Wellness Services attended the Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon’s (OTAO) Legislative Day. Melodie joined occupational therapy practitioners from across the state to highlight the profession’s most pressing legislative priorities.

Highlights of the day included meeting with Representative Sheri Malstrom from District 27 and Senator Arnie Roblan from District 5.

In the 2017 Legislative Session, Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon has been advocating for HB 3263 to direct the State Board of Education to adopt standards for the provision of occupational therapy to students who have individualized education programs (IEPs). School-based Occupational Therapists (OTs) are clinicians who address sensorimotor,  psychosocial, and cognitive skills that support children in their educational programs. There are currently no state guidelines for school-based OT workloads in Oregon. Following OTAO’s strong advocacy efforts, HB 3263  (was) scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, April 3rd, 2017.