July 29, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

New Scholarship for UNM OT Students Targets Recruitment of Rural New Mexicans and COTAs: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

1.0 hours. The UNM OT Graduate Program was recently awarded a $3.25 million grant to provide scholarships to students over the next five years. The funding was secured from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students mechanism that aims to diversify the health care workforce. This is enacted by providing scholarships to students from medically underserved communities, underrepresented minority groups, and those from environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds. We will introduce the opportunity, how to apply, and the criteria for application. Qualifying for the scholarship requires students to demonstrate an economic need or having come from an environmentally disadvantaged background.

Timothy Dionne, PhD, OTR/L and Mark Hardison, PhD, OTR/L

August 14, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

Sleep and Relaxation: From In-Person to Virtual Treatment

1.0 hours. People can experience changes in sleep and relaxation for multiple reasons. Illness, injury, chronic conditions can make it difficult to sleep well and to feel rested. Deficits in sleep and relaxation can negatively impact performance in multiple areas. Sleep training is an evidence-based approach to improving sleep and supporting performance skills. Relaxation training can support sleep, role performance, and emotional regulation. This talk will cover the basics of sleep and relaxation treatments via virtual platforms (because COVID19 can happen!), identify which populations may benefit from this treatment, and describe how to assess client performance in this area via telepractice.

Narisa Tappitake, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CLC

September 1, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

Psychosocial Practice Without Borders: OT’s Unique Role in Addressing Mental Health Concerns Across Practice Settings

1.5 hours. This presentation will facilitate exploration of how OTs in New Mexico can integrate
psychosocial and mental health practice concepts and techniques into their work, no matter what setting they practice in. We will explore several generalist intervention techniques, OT specific assessments that capture psychosocial/mental health barriers to occupation, as well as discuss documentation wording and possible billing options. We will also discuss systemic barriers to this kind of practice, barriers to care that individuals with mental health diagnoses face, and strategies to address these barriers. An open Q&A with the facilitator will be included.

Rachel Goldman, OTR

September 22, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

The Hip Bone’s Connected to the Shoulder Bone: Facilitating UE ROM through Pelvic Positioning

1.5 hours. The ability of OT practitioners to assess and treat pelvic alignment will improve their ability to facilitate decreased pain and increased participation in ADL’s and activities of choice for patients across the life span. This presentation is designed to review the proximal alignment and control necessary for promoting upper extremity range of motion and will provide practical interventions to facilitate increased patient outcomes in activities requiring upper extremity movement and coordination. We will review the risk factors of prolonged sitting in wheelchairs, the pelvic and scapular alignment needed for shoulder range of motion and fine motor activity, and learn ways to facilitate this required pelvic and scapular alignment through seating and preparatory activities.

Effie Pulford, MOT, OTR/L, CNDT, CSRS

October 2, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Sensory Processing Differences in the Pediatric Population

1.0 hours. This presentation will provide occupational therapy practitioners the opportunity to learn about interdisciplinary collaboration. Specifically, it will focus on sensory processing differences which affect progress in speech and physical therapy as well as best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration. Attendees will be provided examples of successful interdisciplinary collaboration from an outpatient pediatric clinic setting. In addition, they will be provided the opportunity to discuss examples and techniques for interdisciplinary collaboration with other occupational therapy practitioners across the state.

Julie Brunson, MOT, OTR/L, Alyse Howard, MOT, OTR/L, Andrew Valladares, AA, COTA/L

July 30, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

Conducting Virtual School-Based OT Evaluations

1.5 hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, OT practitioners are having to revisit their practices to integrate the use of virtual methods, such as telehealth. Evaluations, particularly for determining need for school-based services can be challenging in this environment. This presentation will review Federal and state guidance related to the provision of OT services and will specifically examine guidance related to COVID-19 school closures. Practitioners will be given concrete strategies to use when conducting evaluations to determine need for services in a COVID-19 world.

Dr. Joanna Cosbey, OTR/L

August 21, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

Power, Privilege, Implicit Bias, and Occupational Therapy

1.5 hours. A societal shift is underway, one which insists that we acknowledge and address the historical harms enacted on Indigenous and Black people in America. Medical and educational institutions have been especially problematic in maintaining and enacting this oppression. Occupational therapists are integral members of the medical and educational communities and must grapple with the effects of implicit bias, racism, and discrimination in their practice. Unintentional harms can be addressed and new patterns of self-awareness can be cultivated. This workshop will support you to begin your exploration into this topic and to consider ways that you may be able to address your own privilege and reduce unintentional harm. You will leave the workshop with a basic understanding of the topic, 3 action-steps to try in your field of practice, and 2 mindfulness techniques to increase your physical stamina for racial discomfort and to weave this into your daily work as an occupational therapist.

Kaycee Hinckley, MOTR/L

September 10, 2020, 12:00:00 AM

DDW Services: Focusing on the 'Team' in IDT

1.0 hours. Part 1: Practitioners working through the DDW system serve clients with a range of
physical, emotional, and intellectual disabilities in a variety of community settings. DDSD provides state-level guidance, but interpretation and implementation vary widely across providers and teams. This presentation will provide useful strategies to assist practitioners with implementing collaborative-consultative services consistent with NM DOH/DDSD Standards. Tools to increase positive interactions between clients, therapists, caregivers, and community agencies will be