OT Students Visit Tallahassee to Promote Legislation

1-2_17_16 student groupOn February 17, Master of Occupational Therapy students Jocelyn Lemus, Jerelyne Indica, Chelsea Morton, Daniela Jaramillo, Nicole Tester, and Rose Hayes traveled to Tallahassee to attend “FOTA Day at the Hill.” This event was organized by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association to promote legislation that would add occupational therapy as a basic benefit to the Florida State Employee Health Plan. To aid in this effort, the students made appointments with their Alachua County representatives, Representative Keith Perry and State Senator Rob Bradley.  Representative Perry was supportive of the cause, requesting the bill number and encouraging the students to keep in touch. Steven Richardson, Chief Legislative Assistant for State Senator Rob Bradley, guided the students through the legislative process and coached them on effective lobbying. The students provided each with folders containing research supporting the positive economic and social impact of occupational therapy.  It was an exciting and successful day!