"Advancing Occupational Therapy, Empowering Practitioners, Enhancing Lives Across Texas."

If you are not a TOTA member, join us at the table and help TOTA advocate for OT practice legislation that impacts the clients we serve in Texas.  Our lobbyist, Denise and Taylor help us to monitor over 184 Bills so far this legislative session.  

Legislative Update

Texas OT Community, you did it!!!!  On 4/30/2025 the Texas House of Representatives voted 131 Yeas and 9 Nays in favor of HB 932.  There is a lot  more work to do and we will keep you posted on the next steps.  We made it through the House, now we must go through the Senate. Here are the next steps for a Bill:

1. Referral to Senate Committee
2. Considered in Senate Committee 
3. Placed on Senate Calendar
4. Considered on Senate Floor
5. Signed/Vetoed by Governor
6. Once legislation becomes law, it becomes codified as a statute

Thank you to our lobbyists Denise Rose and Taylor Cummings who visited multiple House offices on 4/29 and sat in the House Gallery to witness the voting on 4/30.

TOTA  is accepting proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference

The Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference. Proposals may be submitted by occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students (Note: student submissions must include a faculty or clinician co-author).
Proposals from related professions are also welcome. 
We are using the platform "Oxford Abstracts". Proposals may be submitted now through May 31 11:59 PM .

This collaborative event is made possible through a generous donation to the OTBE.
Symposium Committee
Regina Campbell, OT-Ret, FAOTA
Eugenia Gonzalez, OTR, PhD
Judith Joseph, OTR, MA, CDRS
Katherine Lawson, OTR, LMSSW, PhD 

OTBE/TOTA Virtual Maternal Mental Wellness Symposium

The Occupational Therapy Benevolence Endowment (OTBE), in collaboration with the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA), is pleased to present a Virtual Maternal Mental Wellness Symposium.  The symposium aims to bring awareness and education about this emerging area of practice.  The symposium will address the needs of occupational therapy practitioners and their clients as new mothers.  

TOTA approved for 3.5 CE/Contact hours
Click here to enroll in this free event for everyone 
Speakers:
Claudette Fette, PhD, OTR 
Gayle Schwee OTR, MOT, PMH-C
Khadijah Johnson, OTD, OTR/L 
Jessica Peterson, OTD, OTR, CLC-PMH-C
Haydee Medrano, OTR, MOT, CBS

Cost:  FREE for everyone!!!!

Trinity North District’s designated volunteer day, Friday, June 13, 2025. 

The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas is hosting the iCan Shine Bike Camp from June 9–13, 2025, at the University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Activity Center, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  We ask that the OTs, OTAs, and students who participate wear an OT shirt if they have one.
SignUpGenius link for volunteer registration 

Attention School-Based Practitioners!!!
Registration for this unique bi-annual conference is open.  

This conference is for OT and PT school-based practitioners serving in Texas public schools. Content supports developing practitioner knowledge base regarding service delivery for all struggling learners. Planned sessions will alert attendees to the latest developments in education policy, research and evidence-based practice.

Please visit the website for details.    

Space is limited, secure your spot by registering today.

Thank you to our event sponsors:

    
JEAN POLICHINO CONSULTING, LLC
Specializing in Related Services for Schools