Written Public Comment Submission Detail

Public Comment Details

Meeting
Commission Meeting - February 2022

Agenda Item
4A: Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services Credential: Necessity and Feasibility Discussion

Name
Ann VerSteeg

Organization
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Comments
Dear Commissioners
My name is Dr. Ann VerSteeg, PT, DPT and I am a physical therapist working in the Los Angeles Unified School District. I am asking the commission to authorize a Clinical and Rehabilitative Services credential for OTs and PTs.
I have been working in the schools for 15yrs and have seen the impact not having a credential has on the district, our department, and each therapist. We have been unable to have the leadership needed that understands our role and areas of expertise to allow us to fully impact the students we work with and the students in the district as a whole
By excluding OTs and PTs from school-based credential opportunities, the CTC is allowing for significant professional inequity in school systems.
With access to a credential, OTs and PTs can enhance the diversity of perspective and experience at all levels within school districts, ultimately providing added benefits to students, including those with disabilities.
Occupational therapists and physical therapists have expertise related to children with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and could contribute at all systems levels to benefit students and improve student outcomes.
OTs and PTs are licensed, hold Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees, are highly qualified in their fields and already meet the requirements for a credential status.
OT and PT academic and clinical training prepares therapists to work in a variety of settings, including the school setting, assessing contextual factors and needs in order to tailor interventions that meet individual and population needs.
OTs and PTs have training in working with diverse populations, and focus on child/family centered practice in assessment and intervention strategies.
OTs and PTs have ongoing continuing education requirements as part of licensure. Opportunities to expand knowledge related to school-based curricula can be made available as part of this requirement. As such, any additional coursework or curricular standards would not cause undue burden or place additional barriers on OTs and PTs seeking to work in school systems, nor would it have a negative impact on hiring or recruitment.
Among accredited OT and PT programs in California, there is evidence of strong support for the Credential Initiative.
Many universities with accredited OT and PT programs are amenable to adding needed continuing education and/or related coursework.
OTAC-CPTA surveys (2015,2018,2021) of OT and PT practitioners have shown that a majority of school-based therapists support this initiative.
Increased opportunities for career growth within school districts will attract a high caliber of OT and PT practitioners to the field, and aid in retention of these highly qualified professionals.
The CTC survey/questionnaire to Local Education Agency (LEA) administrators had a 7% response rate (74/1037). The information is valuable as a pilot but needs further distribution and rewording to ensure essential data is captured.
Thank you for your consideration.
Dr. Ann VerSteeg, PT, DPT, PCS
Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist

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