Are you feeling concerned about the state of healthcare? Want to help make a difference for OT practitioners, students, and patients?
We completely understand!
We welcome all OT practitioners and students to join an advocacy volunteer committee! These committees will meet during the monthly Advocacy Community of Practice to work together towards protecting and advancing the profession in Missouri.
Please read the committee descriptions below. If there’s a task or committee that speaks to you, fill out the “volunteer sign up form” and claim it!
It doesn’t matter how much time you’re able to give. Whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 hours a week, we have something for you!
Sign up below!
Hill Day Committee - Supports planning and execution of state advocacy events with legislators
Estimated Time: 1-2 hours a week September through December. 3-5 hours a week in January and February. 8 hours on Wednesday, March 3rd (Hill Day)–not mandatory, but very helpful!
- Coordinate logistics and scheduling for Hill Day participation
- Collaborate with leadership on legislative priorities and follow-up actions
- Train and prepare attendees to confidently engage with legislators
- Create “Hill Day” videos (e.g. how to get there, where to go, etc.)
- Create fun Hill Day activities such as:
- Hill Day scavenger hunt
- Social media “Hill Day countdown”
- Rally playlist
- Give monthly updates to Co-Directors of Practice at CoP meeting
Medicaid Committee - Supports issues related to Medicaid policy, reimbursement, and access to occupational therapy services.
Estimated Time: 1-4 hours a month
- Track Missouri Medicaid policy changes and proposed legislation
- Analyze reimbursement trends and identify barriers to OT service delivery
- Find current pdfs to Medicaid reimbursement to be able to reference changes in future policies
- Develop advocacy priorities and educational resources for members
- Collaborate with stakeholders to improve access, coverage, and provider sustainability (ex. Mo Budget Project, Show Me Healthcare Advocacy Coalition)
- Give monthly updates to Co-Directors of Practice at CoP meeting
First Steps Committee - Supports issues related to MO First Steps
Estimated Time: Varies. Maybe 1-2 hours a week.
- Collect and analyze data on provider experiences, access issues, and service delivery barriers
- Engage with state leadership and key stakeholders to communicate challenges and propose solutions (ex. Show Me Health Care Advocacy Coalition)
- Develop and advocate for structural improvements to the First Steps program
- Give monthly updates to Co-Directors of Practice at CoP meeting
Advocacy Outreach Committee- Plans and implements outreach to members and nonmembers
Estimated Time: 2-4 hours a week
- Collaborate with other advocacy committees to identify key issues to share with stakeholders
- Write MOTA Advocacy Newsletter to update members on current events and call to action campaigns
- Newsletter is weekly during legislative session Jan-May. Frequency will be determined the remainder of the year.
- Create and execute “Get out the Vote” for November election to OT practitioners and students to include:
- Presentation during October Advocacy CoP meeting focused on ballot items and their impact on OT practice
- Reach out to MOTA district chairs and SOTAs to offer (i.e. “citations and libations” and “lunch and learn” respectively) meetings to discuss:
- Checking voter registration
- Legislative threats
- Joining MOTA and Advocacy CoP
- Advocacy Ambassadors (attend COP meetings, be open to volunteer opportunities).
- Maintenance and updates for advocacy updates for website/social media
