Miller Barbara Kopp, Nelson David
Departments of Occupational Therapy, Medicine and Physician Assistant Studies, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH, 43614.
Occup Ther Health Care. 2004;18(1-2):137-50. doi: 10.1080/J003v18n01_14.
SUMMARY Skills required to develop and fund programs can advance an occupational therapist professionally, and innovative occupation-based programs are necessary for the future of occupational therapy. This paper describes a community-based learning experience embedded within the occupational therapy curriculum of the Medical College of Ohio. While developing the Program Development Proposal, each student practices needs assessment; marketing; goals- and objectives-setting; occupation-based programming; budgeting; staffing; program evaluation; and grantsmanship. Outcome surveys of graduates indicate that the experience was positive and provided graduates with a solid foundation for program development. The experience also enhanced partnerships with community-based sites.
