CAOT-BC Research and Education Grant- Hurry! Only 2 weeks left to apply

For the 2013-2014 membership year, the CAOT-BC Research and Education Grant Program will provide 10 grants of $500 to support CAOT-BC members contribute to the growth of evidence on occupational therapy and occupational science.

The grants help pay for conference registration fees for CAOT-BC members to present occupational therapy research and/or education at either the CAOT national conference or other related conferences. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2014. 

You can download the forms from the CAOT-BC website or find them here:

Application

Expense Claim

General Information

Capstone Conference is Coming- Save the Date!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Vancouver Public Library

830am-430pm

Find out more at:

www.capstoneconference.ca/2014/

resOurce for your pracTice: DIY OT

A do-it-yourself resource for teens with disabilities who are transitioning into adulthood. Learn about occupational therapy, assistive technology, see tutorials for free/inexpensive DIY occupational therapy/assistive technology projects.

http://www.diy-ot.com/#home

CAOT-BC Pediatrics Special Interest Group Meeting- April 9, 2014

When:  

April 9, 2014
6pm-8pm

Where:

In Person- Sunnyhill Health Centre for Children (boardroom, first room to the right of the entrance on Slocan street) & by Teleconference

RSVP:  

Email: Sara Bishop 

Cost:

Free for CAOT-BC members

$15 for non-members (email caotbc@caot.ca to register) 

CAOT-BC Assistive Tech/Seating SIG Meeting- April 3, 2014

When:  

April 3, 2014
4:00pm - 6:00pm 

Where:

In Person-GF Strong Boardroom  & via
Teleconference

Topic:  

Power mobility assessment

RSVP:  

Email: Emma Smith

Cost:

Free for CAOT-BC members

$15 for non-members (email caotbc@caot.ca to register)

Conference Registration Now Open

Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Welcome from the 2014 Host Committee

The CAOT 2014 Conference host committee and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists welcome you to Fredericton, Atlantic Canada’s riverfront city.  This year’s theme – Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities - is an opportunity for Occupational Therapists to explore enabling strategies that will influence daily practice in order to promote health in their own communities.

Occupational Therapists work with numerous communities and populations with a mutual goal of enabling individuals to be active participants in their daily lives.  This optimization of Occupational Performance is the foundation for building health, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘complete physical, mental and social well-being’.   Healthy communities are based on the individual health of all community participants, and according to the WHO, a healthy community cannot be achieved without the influence of Occupational Therapy. The WHO defines a Healthy Community as "one that is safe with affordable housing and accessible transportation systems, work for all who want to work, a healthy and safe environment with a sustainable ecosystem, and offers access to health care services which focus on prevention and staying healthy.” We are certain that this conference will offer practical skills and techniques that will support your efforts in building healthy communities.  After you have absorbed all of the wealth of knowledge offered by conference presenters, we encourage you to take the opportunity to reflect on your daily practice and how it influences/promotes healthy communities.

You won’t be disappointed with the social activities we have planned for you here in Fredericton beginning with early morning wellness activities to kick start your days.  Join us for a morning run, show us your dance moves with a Zumba class, get your heart racing with an aquasize class, and channel your inner peace with a yoga class, all being led by some of your local OTs.  Dress in your best ‘80s attire and meet us at the Market for the “Rock the Market – Bring on the Neon!” on Thursday night at the famous WW Boyce Farmers Market.  Friday night brings the “Out and About Student Social” where you will have an opportunity to enjoy a tour of the local downtown hotspots.

CAOT Conference 2014 promises to provide you with a Maritime experience like no other.  The city of Fredericton boasts Acadian pride, welcoming hospitality, and an unforgettable sense of community spirit that we hope you will take home with you.  We hope that you embrace all that our city and conference has to offer and you will leave feeling excited and eager to implement all of the new learning into your OT practice.

Enjoy the conference!

Your 2014 Conference Host Committee:
Co-Convenors: Lori Masse & Tara Forster
Committee Chairs: Lilli Lin (Volunteer), Pam McCaskill (Accessibility), Kara Reid (Pre-Conference), Erin MacLean (Registration), Nicole DeLong (Social)

Continuing Education Opportunities For You!- Registration Open Until March 28, 2014

CBI HEALTH GROUP PRESENTS:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Basics

April 5, 2014

Registration Information

Effective Exposure Therapy

April 6, 2014

Registration Information

*Registration for both sessions has been extended to March 28, 2014

Living With Stroke Facilitator Opportunity

The Heart & Stroke Foundation is looking for volunteer facilitators for a new, self-management program that engages persons living with stroke.

Interested? Find out more here

cOnnecT with the CAOT-BC Blog

On the eve of the 2nd birthday of the CAOT-BC Blog it seems fitting to feature it in the monthly cOnnecT with a colleague feature. Here is everything you need to know:

CAOT-BC Blog Bio

Birthdate: First blog post on April 2, 2012

Purpose: There are many functions of the blog, but the words that members have been using to describe it are include: engage, build community, communicate and connect the occupational therapy community and those interested in occupational therapy

Total Published Posts: 352

Subscription requests: 685+ 

Top 5 viewed posts: 

"Support an Inclusive LEGO set" (938)

"Your Feedback on HandyDART services Required" (895)

"NIHB- Your Input Needed" (881)

"resOurce for your pracTice-Sunny Hill Health Centre Evidence Centre" (851)

"In the News: Power Mobility" (825)

Average monthly views: 7,000-10,000

All time views: 105,896

HSA Mental Health Forum

Do you work in mental health? Then plan to attend a Mental Health Forum being hosted by the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) later this month.

HSA is part of the City of Vancouver Task Force on Mental Health and has organized the forum to gather input on mental health issues from HSA members and members of the public.

Plan to attend to ensure your voice, and the voice of occupational therapy is heard.

When:          Monday, March 31, 2014

Time:           6pm-9pm

Where:         Heritage Hall

                   3102 Main Street, 

                   Vancouver

Registration is NOT required.

Promote OT

Today is the start of OT Month in the United States. Let's support our neighbors and promote OT a little earlier this year!

What can you do to help? Read these articles for some easy to implement ideas.

CAOT-BC article, October 2013

AOTA article, Top 10 ways to promote OT online

CAOT-BC @ Vancouver Coastal Health Bridges

"Occupational Therapists engaged in the topic of Courageous Conversations when Signy Wilson encouraged "Speaking from the Heart" in her keynote address at the 2014 Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health Bridges conference on February 25th. CAOT-BC met with many members and members-to-be at our booth and appreciated the opportunity to provide an update of our activities. CAOT-BC would like to officially congratulate the VCH award winners of the mOTivators, Ginny Fearing, CHEERS and the Education bursary awards."

- Mary Glasgow-Brown, Chair, CAOT-BC Advisory Committee

Member exclusive event: CAOT-BC Mid-Year Update

Join Managing Director Giovanna Boniface in this mid-year update. A summary of CAOT-BC activities as well as issues facing occupational therapists in British Columbia will be discussed. Members will also have the opportunity to provide input and feedback.

When:  April 24, 2014

Where: Webinar

Time:   12pm to 1pm

Cost:   Free for all members

Register online by April 17, 2014

Click here to register online

resOurce for your pracTice- Research Relays

UBC MRSC Research Relays for Rehabilitation Practice

Research relays are FREE webinars where graduates from the UBC Master of Rehabilitation Science Program present their major project research. By relaying their results and any further work they have done in the area, we invite you to pick up the ‘virtual baton’ and discuss how it could influence your practice and work setting. Make new practice connections in just one hour!

CLICK HERE to register at least 48 hours prior to session date and to sign-up for news about future webinars or the UBC Master of Rehabilitation Science program.

Spring 2014 Series

Feb 28 - noon to 1pm Pacific Time
The Evaluation of a Piloted Protected Mealtime in a Canadian Hospital
Presenter: Jan Chan

March 7- noon to 1pm Pacific Time
Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O): Education for the Development of Professional Competencies: Students’ Experiences and Reflections
Presenter: Kathleen Orsi

April 4 - noon to 1pm Pacific Time
Parents’ Experiences of Splinting Programs for Babies with Congenital Limb Anomalies
Presenter: Kim Durlacher

April 25 - noon to 1pm Pacific Time
Clinical Reasoning Used by Occupational Therapists When Choosing Functional Cognitive Assessments for Seniors
Presenter: Ardith Richter

May 9 – noon to 1pm Pacific Time
Survey of Physiotherapists: Preparing Physiotherapy Students for Global Health Work
Presenter: Carlie Vidal 


 REGISTER HERE  

What are the UBC Rehabilitation Science Online Programs?

We offer a Master of Rehabilitation Science and a Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation, both of which are designed for the working health professional. For more information, please visit the program website  or contact info@mrsc.ubc.ca

CAOT-BC @ The Wellness Show 2014

 Volunteers Lara Belagamage & Tianna Baker speaking with booth visitors (left to right)

February 14, 15 & 16, 2014-Vancouver
For the 2nd year in a row, CAOT-BC hosted an exhibit booth at the Wellness Show in Vancouver. Show organizers inform us that attendance was tallied at 30,720! We estimate that we spoke to approximately 550 of those visitors over the weekend, providing information on occupational therapy services as well as how to find a therapist. The 'Guess what this is' activity was a new addition this year, will be sure to return next year.

Volunteer Jeff Boniface helping with booth set up

Please join us in thanking the volunteers that helped CAOT-BC with this 3-day exhibit:

• Remy Lim
• Jeff Boniface
• Tianna Baker
• Lara Belagamage
• Laura Bulk
• Aaryn Cleland
• Sholeh Salehi
• Lori Cyr
• Julie Hirschmanner
• Yoyo Cheung
• Self Care Home Health (donations for the 'Guess what this is?" activity)

Question of the month: Where did you complete your OT training?

We are interested to find out more about where you trained as to become an occupational therapist. Take a few seconds and answer this question. You will be able to view results immediately.

Where did you complete your OT education?

CAOT-BC Driving Special Interest Group Meeting- March 19, 2014

When:  

March 19, 2014
3pm-430pm

Where:

Teleconference

Topic:  

TBD

RSVP:  

Email: Trish Mahoney (patricia.mahoney@vch.ca) 

Cost:

Free for CAOT-BC members

$15 for non-members-email caotbc@caot.ca to pre-register