North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association
PO Box 20432
Raleigh NC 27609
https://ncota.memberclicks.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCOTAassociation
Instagram: ncotassociation
Service areas: Mental Health, (inpatient, community, outpatient, and emerging areas), Physical Disabilities, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Assistive Technology, School System, as well as other areas
History and background :The NC Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) is North Carolina’s leading association for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapy students. Headquartered in Raleigh and affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), NCOTA was founded in 1957 and later incorporated as a not-for-profit membership organization in 1976. In 1984 the association led the drive for occupational therapy to obtain licensure in the state of North Carolina. Since that time the field of OT in NC has grown from a few hundred licensed occupational therapy practitioners to over 7,399. The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association has a history of supporting advocacy initiatives in all areas of occupational therapy practice.
Mission: The NCOTA’s mission is to promote the continued and competent practice of occupational therapy; to impact health care, legislative, and reimbursement communities as advocates for the consumer and the profession; and to be responsive to the needs of the membership by promoting professional education, communication, and monitoring trends in health care and in the community that affect the practice of occupational therapy.
Current Projects, Mental Health Initiatives Throughout the year NCOTA participates in advocacy opportunities such as writing public comments, meeting with legislature, and reaching out to membership to identify any pressing needs. Occupational therapy originally began primarily focused on mental health and has a strong focus statewide and nationally on expanding resources and practice for our clients within the area of Mental Health.
NCOTA is currently working to improve access to occupational therapy for individuals with mental health needs as well as ensuring the OT workforce is trained in mental health specific needs.
Our current advocacy efforts work towards expanding code access, assisting with Olmstead programs, and increasing support as well as access to independent living.