The Connection. President s Pen. Inside This Issue: BY KARA ROGERS, MOTR/L, BSED, ACE

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1 Inside This Issue: President s Pen 1 Past President s Pen KOTA Spotlight Education Officer Greater Kansas City District Update 2017 KOTA Legislative Day on the Hill Highlights CarFit Kit Available from KOTA KOTA CarFit Kit Reservation Form Membership Application CEU Management Application KOTA Board The Connection Volume 10, Issue 1 President s Pen BY KARA ROGERS, MOTR/L, BSED, ACE Greetings! I hope this spring season has been kind to you and your family thus far. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected or have family and/or friends affected by the extreme Kansas weather. Here s to a happy and healthy spring season! April 2017 Let me begin by expressing my thanks and gratitude for your support as I enter into this new chapter as your KOTA President. I am humbled and honored to be serving the occupational therapy profession and the State of Kansas during this Centennial year. As your president, I will strive to support the KOTA mission: Empowering the Occupational Therapy Profession, and together we can achieve AOTA Vision 2025: Occupational therapy maximizes health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living. Thank you to the OTs and OT students who attended the KOTA Legislative Day on the Hill on February 14 th. Over 100 OTs and OT students supported KOTA efforts to increase awareness and visibility at the Capitol. Well done! KOTA Annual Conference preparations are underway and off and running! We welcome Amy Adamson, Education Officer and her Conference Committee as they head up efforts to provide KOTA members and Conference attendees with a stellar Centennial celebration. As always, please feel free to provide suggestions for speakers and/or topics you would like to learn more about. Be on the lookout for more information. A special thank you to Brandy Johnson for her service as the KOTA Executive Director. Brandy has done a wonderful job serving KOTA and members. We are thankful for the opportunity to have worked with her and wish her well on her new adventures with her family. We are happy to continue working with Gaches Braden & Associates, as they provide an exemplary service to KOTA. Finally, my deepest gratitude goes out to LaDessa Forrest, KOTA Immediate Past President for her guidance and leadership over the past four years. She leaves an outstanding legacy, and I am so honored to continue collaborating with her to best serve the needs of KOTA members, and Kansas OTs. Well wishes!

2 Past President s Pen BY LADESSA FORREST, OTD, OTR/L Page 2 Greetings KOTA members, It is bittersweet as I am typing my final newsletter article. It has been my great honor to serve these past four years as president of this wonderful organization. I am sure that I am biased but I think Kansas has some of the best Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants in the country. Being part of such a wonderful community of OT clinicians has been quite inspiring. I have made lifelong friends by serving on this Board. Though I will miss it, I am very excited about the next chapter for KOTA. I have no doubt that Kara Rogers will serve the OTs and OTAs of Kansas well and continue to lead this organization in a positive direction. I would like to take a moment to thank all the KOTA Board members past and present, KOTA Central Office staff, Sandy Braden our lobbyist and all the KOTA members. I appreciate all you have done and continue to do to make this organization successful. Celebrate 100 years of OT! Blessings, LaDessa KOTA Board Spotlight: Education officer BY AMY ADAMSON, OTR/L My name is Amy Adamson and I am excited to have been named the KOTA Education Officer. I am hoping to help be a "light" to this organization and help us grow as practitioners. I have been an Occupational Therapist for 19 years and I am a graduate from Newman University. I started out in acute care and long term acute care and specialized in burn care for a period of time. I transitioned into home health after the birth of my third child, and I have remained there ever since. On a personal note, I am the mom of three children and was blessed to marry my best friend 20 years ago. I enjoy spending time with my family, working on writing a book, and am very active in my home church, including singing in our praise band. I am very passionate about my profession and am always seeking creative ways to make our presence known in the community including speaking at local colleges, varied health care settings and schools. I am looking forward to sharing with you my vision for this year s KOTA Conference. In collaboration with our Centennial, the theme for the 2017 Conference is Opportunity AwaiTs---- Remember the Past, Celebrate the Present and Prepare for the Future. This year s Conference will take place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Maner Conference Center in Topeka, KS September The Conference Committee has arranged almost a full schedule of presenters that will give us the tools to handle the ever changing world of healthcare. It is during this time that we need to draw upon the "roots"-our foundation, stabilize upon the strength "trunk" of our present positions, and seek to extend the "branches" to prepare us for the future. We have added some new additions to this year s Conference including our own Centennial Bash which will take place after the Friday evening sessions. During this time we hope to showcase the history of our profession, as well as enjoy time with fellow practitioners in a relaxed atmosphere. We are hoping to add our own KOTA Tshirt! I look forward to meeting everyone. Please feel free to contact me at amyadamsonot@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of this year s Conference.

3 Page 3 Greater Kansas City District Update By Heather Wright, COTA/L Greetings from Kansas City and Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Spring is in the air, and summer is just around the corner. BIG ANNOUCEMENT: Our meeting location has changed to Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital. The meeting time of 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month (excluding our August meeting) has stayed the same. For up-to-date information regarding future meetings, please visit the KOTA website. We kicked off the year with a drawing for prizes during our meeting on January 18 to celebrate our Centennial. We had a wonderful turn out of about 60 people and we heard from speaker Kelli Reiling, OTD, OTR/L and Stacia Troshynski Brown, PT, DPT, OCS on Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis: A Community-Based Wellness Approach to Exercise. No celebration is complete without cake, so we enjoyed our treat on the birth date of Occupational Therapy, March 15, while listening to speaker Justin Peterfish, MOT, OTR/L, ATP on the issue of Postural Assessment for Seating and Wheelchair Mobility. Justin shared with us different techniques to assess posture and gave us an idea of the various equipment that is currently available to assist our patients. Our next meeting will be on May 17, when we will hear from Kristi McDaniel Denny, OTD, OTR/L on her experience and knowledge that she has gained from this year s AOTA Conference as well as an overview of AOTA membership benefits and Representative Assembly activities. Hope to see you there! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY? Check out the employment page of the KOTA website. Take a moment to browse job advertisements from employers seeking qualified health professionals at: Are you an employer interested in advertising a job opening with KOTA? Please visit to market your organization through our online employment ads and quarterly newsletters.

4 Page KOTA Legislative Day on the Hill Highlights The 2017 KOTA Legislative Day on the Hill took place in Topeka on Tuesday, February 14. There were approximately 120 students, clinicians and Board members present. Representative Dan Hawkins (Chair of the House Health & Human Services Committee) and Senator Barbara Bollier, MD (Vice Chair, Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee) provided updates on legislation being presented to their committees. KOTA lobbyists introduced the legislative process with a presentation entitled I m Just a Bill with examples of how it is relevant to occupational therapy. Kathleen Selzer-Lippert, Executive Director of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, spoke on licensure. Following the morning presentations, students delivered USB drives and postcards that defined and promoted the OT profession to the legislators offices. Meanwhile, in the Capitol Rotunda, Occupational Therapists staffed an informational table. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Capitol and observe committee meetings and general sessions. Thank you to all who attended!

5 Page 5 1. CONVENIENCE Top Ten Reasons TO SUBSCRIBE TO KOTA CEU MANAGEMENT 2. Access to your CEU Information via website, 24/7 3. Full support of KOTA staff 4. Peace of mind that CEUs meet the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy criteria 5. All CEUs are reviewed and either approved or denied through a member of the KOTA CEU Review Board 6. During an audit, KOTA provides your CEU information to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts 7. All KOTA pre-approved classes are automatically applied to your record a hasslefree convenience of KOTA CEU Management! 8. All records are kept in one location for ease of renewing your NBCOT license 9. Upon completion of your CEUs, you are sent a letter of verification 10. Excellent Value!! Only $75 for the two-year cycle! Click Here to Sign-Up today! Like KOTA on Facebook! SAVE THE DATE! 2017 KOTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Opportunity AwaiTs----Remember the Past, Celebrate the Present and Prepare for the Future September 14-16, 2017 Capital Plaza Hotel Topeka, Kansas

6 CarFit Kit Available from KOTA Page 6 Are you interested in hosting a CarFit Event? In order to assist Event Coordinators and CarFit Technicians to host successful CarFit events, the Kansas Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA) has developed its own unique CarFit Kit. This kit is FREE for Coordinators and Technicians who are KOTA members to loan from the KOTA office (subject to availability). What is CarFit? CarFit is an educational program created by the American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association), AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association. What are the Objectives of the CarFit program? The program is designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently fit their personal vehicle, to highlight actions they can take to improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility. A proper fit in one's personal vehicle can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others. How can I become involved in CarFit? CarFit is a program whose success depends on volunteers across the country. There are two ways one can become involved in Carfit: By becoming an Event Coordinator, you will be trained to host CarFit events following proper programmatic procedures. Event Coordinators train CarFit technicians, secure dates and locations for CarFit events, participate in and monitor CarFit events and communicate with the national organizations, AAA, AARP and AOTA. Event Coordinators must attend a two-day training conducted by a CarFit Instructor. To find an Event Coordinator Training in your area, please visit: By becoming a CarFit Technician, you will be able to participate in CarFit events hosted by a CarFit Event Coordinator. A half-day training teaches you the three parts of each CarFit event: Check-in, Check-up and Check-out. To find a Technician Training in your area, or to volunteer for an event, please visit: The KOTA CarFit Kit includes the following items to assist you at your CarFit event: Hole-in-One Key Holder (replacement cost: $10.00) HANDYBAR Auto Safety Handle (replacement cost: $45.00) Grab & Pull Seatbelt Handle (replacement cost: $15.00) DMI Leg Lifter (replacement cost: $15.00) Gray Stress Wedge (replacement cost: $30.00) Swivel Seat Cushion (replacement cost: $20.00) Deluxe Orthopedic Seat Cushion (replacement cost: $30.00) Organizer Envelope (Please return organizer envelope. Handouts are for your use and need not be returned.) A UPS return label will be included in the KOTA CarFit Kit for your convenience in shipping the Kit back to the KOTA Central Office. Please complete and submit the form on page nine of this newsletter in order reserve the KOTA CarFit Kit. Included in the organizer envelope is a checklist to assist you in returning the Kit in its entirety to KOTA.

7 To reserve the KOTA CarFit Kit please complete this form and return it to: Kansas Occupational Therapy Association 825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 500 Topeka, Kansas OR Fax to: (785) Contact Information Name: Address: City, St, Zip: Phone: Ship the KOTA CarFit Kit to address listed above Ship to a different location: CarFit Event Information Date(s): Location: Name of Event Coordinator: Phone number of Event Coordinator: Payment Information Charges will only be incurred if the KOTA CarFit Kit and its contents are damaged or not returned in their entirety within one week after the date of the indicated CarFit Event. The fee for not returning the KOTA CarFit Kit is $250. Fees for individual kit items are listed on page one of this document. Included in the handouts folder of the CarFit Kit is a checklist to assist you in returning the Kit in its entirety to KOTA. Visa MasterCard Card Number: Expire Date: Signature: KOTA CarFit Kit Liability Acceptance By completing this form, I accept full financial responsibility for the KOTA CarFit Kit and all items included. Charges will only be incurred to the payment information listed on this form if the KOTA CarFit Kit and its contents are damaged or the kit is not returned in its entirety within one week of the date of the indicated CarFit Event. Signature: Printed Name: Date: 2

8 825 S Kansas Ave, Suite 500 Topeka, KS Phone or Toll Free Fax centraloffice@kotaonline.org MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Registration Discount at KOTA Conference OT Representation of legislative issues Online KOTA Directory. a GREAT Networking tool! KOTA s Quarterly Newsletter, The Connection Access to Members Only section of the KOTA website MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT INCLUDE CEU MANAGE- MENT SERVICES Gloria Scammahorn Memorial Student Scholarship Fund I would like to donate a voluntary contribution to this fund in the amount of $ (Enclose a separate check payable to AOTF (Kansas) Student Scholarship Fund.) Your membership is not deductible as a charitable contribution for Federal Income tax purposes. However, payment of membership investments may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense subject to the following restrictions: Under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, 20 percent of your dues are used for lobbying and not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. MEMBER INFORMATION Please type or print neatly; Fill in all areas: Name License Number Home Address City, St Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Address Employer Work Phone JOIN OR RENEW AND GET A HALF PRICE MEMBERSHIP FOR A FRIEND! With any current or new member paying full price get one new membership at half price! Two current members are not eligible for this promotion. Must send both applications in at one time and must note name of second member on each application. Name of Second Member: MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Occupational Therapist. $60.00 New Grad......$35.00 (Grad date less than 1 year ago) School Grad Date Occupational Therapy Assistant...$50.00 New Grad $30.00 (Grad date less than 1 year ago) School Grad Date Associate*....$50.00 * Must show full membership in another OT state association. Student*..$20.00 * If student, must list school affiliation: DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP (Please check one) Capital (Topeka Area) Greater Kansas City Area Southern (Wichita Area) Great Plains (Central/Western Area) PAYMENT INFORMATION PRACTICE AREAS (Please check all that apply) Administration & Management Early Intervention and School Developmental Disabilities Education Gerontology Home & Community Health Mental Health Physical Disabilities Sensory Integration Technology Work and Industry Check Enclosed Visa MasterCard Discover Other MEMBER INVOLVEMENT Is there anything special you would like to be involved with through KOTA? Card Number Exp Date Signature

9 CEU MANAGEMENT ENROLLMENT April 1, 2017 March 31, 2019 Kansas Occupational Therapy Association KOTA * 825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 500 * Topeka, KS Phone: (785) or toll free (877) Visit us on the web at * centraloffice@kotaonline.org Enrollment Application This packet contains important information regarding applications for approval of CEUs in the state of Kansas for the current cycle. The new cycle begins April 1, 2017 and ends March 31, The KOTA office administers the CEU Management System and will report your CEUs to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts at the appropriate time. When you have reached your required number of CEUs, you will be sent a congratulatory letter from KOTA. If you are not a member of CEU Management and are audited by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts or NBCOT, it will be your responsibility to provide proof of your CEUs. Filing Fees The CEU Management System enrollment fee is $75.00 and covers the entire 2-year cycle. It is NOT membership in KOTA and does not include any of those benefits. Enrollment Procedure Please complete the form below to enroll in the KOTA CEU Management System. It is very important to include ALL information requested so your records can be maintained accurately while supplying the necessary information to the Board of Healing Arts at license renewal time. If your name, address or other information changes during this period, you must notify the KOTA office immediately in writing, in addition to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts. It is very important that the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and the KOTA office have your current name and address listed in the same manner for accurate licensing. CEU Requirements We recognize 1 hour (60 minutes) to equal 1 hour of contact time unless otherwise noted on the Reference Table inside the CEU Renewal Folder. CEU hours are required for all OTs and OTAs in the state of Kansas according to licensure date as follows. Total CEUs required Date of Original/Reinstated Licensure: for current cycle: Prior to 4/1/ /1/2017-3/31/ After 4/1/ CEU Application Process All CEU application forms are included in the CEU Renewal Folder, available for download at or you may contact the KOTA office to have copies mailed to you. A new application form completed in its entirety along with ALL supporting documentation must be submitted for each course to be reviewed. Keep a copy of each submission for your records. DO NOT submit KOTA pre-approved courses. The provider will remit attendance information, and credit will be given based on the sign-in roster returned to KOTA by the provider. Retain the certificate for your files Detach and complete this form and mail to: KOTA * 825 S. KANSAS AVE SUITE 500 * TOPEKA, KS Name Kansas License Number Address City, State ZIP Home Phone ( ) Work Phone ( ) Address Payment Information Check Enclosed Visa MasterCard Discover Card Number Exp Date Signature Revised 04/2017

10 Page KOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED VOTING MEMBERS EXECUTIVE BOARD President Kara Rogers, MOTR/L, BSEd, ACE Phone: (815) Vice President Melissa Smith OTR/L Phone: (316) Secretary Whitney Lawrence, COTA/L Treasurer Lynette Hofer, B.S., A.S, COTA/L Phone: (316) ELECTED NON-VOTING MEMBERS Immediate Past President LaDessa Forrest, OTD, OTR/L Phone: (316) ELECTED VOTING MEMBERS Government Affairs & Reimbursement Officer Brian Mills, MOTR/L, IFE, CEAS, CHT Phone: (913) Capital District Co-Officer Rachel Hocker, COTA/L Phone: (785) Capital District Co-Officer Whitney Radke, COTA/L Phone: (785) Great Plains District Co-Officer Megan Croomes, COTA/L Phone: (620) Great Plains District Co-Officer Jodi Radke, COTA/L Phone: (785) Greater Kansas City District Officer Heather Wright, COTA/L Phone: (785) Southern District Officer Heather Drews, OTR/L Phone: (620) APPOINTED NON-VOTING MEMBERS CE Peer Review Officer & District Technology Officer Angela Petite, MS, OTR/L Phone: (913) Education Officer Amy Adamson, OTR/L Phone: (316) International Liaison (WFOT) Liz Zayat, MS, OTR/L Phone: (816) Membership Officer Theresa Bukaty-Chop, MS, OTR/L Phone: (913) Nominations Officer Sharenne Lohrenz, COTA/L Phone: (620) OT/OTA-At-Large Marnie Selstedt, COTA/L Phone: (316)