Happy OT Month!!!

The South District Spring Conference Was a Wonderful Success!
The South District Conference was a free-to-members event held earlier this month, and the turnout was great. There were over 60 attendees, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Kudos to Tracy O’Connor, ALOTA South District Chairperson, and all others involved for putting together such a memorable and educational gathering.

The Statewide Spring Conference is this Saturday
The ALOTA Spring State Conference will be held on the campus of Alabama State University on Saturday April 26th. Check out the brochure for the conference by clicking here, and click here to see travel and accommodation information. Up to 5 contact hours will be available, and the cost (as always) is extremely affordable. To pay your conference dues on-line, follow the link on the left hand tool bar for Continuing Education, or click here. Onsite registration will be available but don’t leave this to chance. Register today.

Not a member yet? Now would be a perfect time to join. Click here to find out how.

Many from Alabama in Attendance at the AOTA National Conference
There was quite a showing of people from our state in Long Beach, California earlier this month. Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students from all over the state made the trek. Want to find out more about what happened? Click here to find out.

Update on Concerns with Proposed Changes to the Athletic Trainer Licensure Act
The Health Committee in the Alabama State House of Representatives held a public hearing on April 16th for HB 565, the Athletic Trainer Bill. There were many in attendance including representatives from ALOTA – Valley McCurry (ALOTA President), Ann Cosby (Executive Director of the State Board of Occupational Therapy), Chris Eidson (ALOTA Board member), and Jay Murrill (ALOTA Lobbyist). ALOTA spoke in opposition to HB 565, as did representatives from the Alabama Physical Therapy Association, and the Alabama Chiropractic Association. The discussion was lively and civil, and the concerns that have been previously outlined on the ALOTA website were heard by all in attendance. The Chairman of the Health Committee closed discussion by asking all of the groups involved in this issue to renew attempts at compromise, and ALOTA has done just that. The vote on this bill by the Health Committee has been delayed pending the outcome of these renewed attempts between all of those involved. Please check back. We will have substantive updates regarding this soon.

What Has Happened So Far
Looking for the full story on the ALATA issue as it was initially reported on the ALOTA website? Visit the ALOTA News page.

The Alabama Occupational Therapy Association (ALOTA) is a members only organization. Members consist of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy students, and corporate sponsors who employ occupational therapy personnel. Members pay annual dues for participation in ALOTA. ALOTA is the state-based professional organization and public voice for the occupational therapy profession within Alabama. ALOTA is a state affiliate of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), which is the national professional association. ALOTA and AOTA share the common goals of working to advance the profession of occupational therapy, the public's awareness of and access to needed occupational therapy services, and the contributions of occupational therapy to health, wellness, productivity and quality of life.

The mission of ALOTA is to support the professional community for members dedicated to the development and promotion of occupational therapy. The organization serves the interests of its members, represents the profession to the public and promotes access to occupational therapy services.