Pictured: Center, Crystal Smith presents Savannah Mann, Sen. Tan Parker’s legislative
director, a letter of appreciation.
Crystal Smith, assistant professor of professional practice and doctoral capstone coordinator of occupational therapy, attended Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Day at the Capitol in Austin. The largest group from the profession to participate to date, 250 occupational therapy practitioners and students were present Feb. 4 from throughout the state. The Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity to meet with legislators and their staff regarding critical issues that are important to the occupational therapists, and this year’s priorities centered around increasing access to OT services in mental and behavioral health, improving access to the health care delivery system, and promoting access to cost-effective, high-quality programs like Medicaid and CHIP.
“Advocacy is vital to our profession,” said Smith. “It provides an opportunity to
inform others regarding the impact that OT can make in the lives of our clients. It
also provides an opportunity to educate others on the field of occupational therapy.
When legislators understand the plight of the profession, they can better advocate
on our behalf.” 
Smith acknowledged Sen. Tan Parker as an example of advocacy for the profession, having voiced his understanding and support of occupational therapy publicly. During the event, Smith, as the district chair on development for TOTA Trinity North, presented Parker with a letter of appreciation on behalf of TOTA for his support of the Occupational Therapy Interstate Compact in the 88th regular legislative session. The measure works to enhance licensure portability and expand consumer access to OT practitioners by removing the need for practitioners to acquire a license in each state in which they want to practice. Advocating for the removal of barriers improves access to care for patients and improves efficiencies, Smith said.
Michael Justiss, chair and director of the TCU OTD program at TCU, said he supports such advocacy.
“As an OTD program, we recognize the critical importance of our roles as faculty, students and practitioners to advocate for the value, advancement and recognition of occupational therapy services. Advocacy is a cornerstone in ensuring the continued growth, visibility and efficacy of occupational therapy in supporting individuals across the lifespan in achieving meaningful participation in daily activities,” Justiss said. “We firmly believe that our collective efforts – through educational, professional and legislative avenues – are essential in shaping policies and practices that impact the profession and the communities we serve. Legislative actions play a pivotal role in determining the scope of practice, funding, access to services and the future direction of the occupational therapy field.”
Smith said she looks forward to bringing future TCU OTD students to TOTA Day at the Capitol to advocate for the profession.
“It is important for students to develop advocacy skills early,” she said. “Learning to articulate of the value of occupational therapy builds confidence and professional identity. Our OTD program will encourage leadership with the hope that our students will be change agents. Moreover, we want them to have experiential knowledge of participating in their professional organization at a state level and how to have formal policy discussions.”
Click here to watch Senator Parker welcoming TOTA to the Capitol. (starts at 57:42)