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Training Occupational Therapy Specialists: Personnel Preparation to Serve Young Children with Disabilities

From 2008 to 2013, the Training Occupational Therapist Specialists (TOTS) program fostered the specialized preparation needed for entry-level occupational therapists to serve infants, toddlers, and young children with special needs throughout California and nationally. Funded by an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs, TOTS integrated dynamic coursework with mentored and individualized field experiences which capitalized upon the diversity of southern California and world-class training settings.

For each of four academic years, the TOTS project assigned 15 select USC students in the second year of their entry-level master’s degree program to a part-time fieldwork site. The students were mentored by a clinical instructor in working with infants, toddlers and young children eligible for early intervention services. These hands-on, practical experiences were supplemented with classroom learning on school-based practice focused on early intervention, preschool and early elementary interventions. In addition to the fieldwork mentoring, TOTS trainees received a $10,000 scholarship to support their participation.

Training content promoted a relationship-based approach to practice mentored students in the application of evidence-based practices. Recommended practices such as services in natural environments, the use of infant/family mental health strategies, collaboration and coaching models, working with a multidisciplinary team, and supportive transition were especially highlighted. Experiences that promoted cultural competence were integrated in all aspects of the project and practiced during field experiences. All trainees received mentoring by nationally recognized faculty and consultants. Numerous community partners, including local school districts and other agencies dedicated to early intervention services, provided exemplary field experiences. Respected experts provided consultation and a diverse Advisory Council incorporated consumers at all levels such as the California Early Start representative, parents of children with disabilities and other leaders in the field.

Funding

Type	Source	Number	Amount
Federal	U.S. Department of Education	H325K080306	$800,000

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.