North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association

01/26/2026

🎓 Now Accepting NCOTA Student Scholarship Applications! 🎓

NCOTA is excited to support the next generation of occupational therapy professionals! Applications are now open for our 2026 Student Scholarships:

💰 $1,000 – Occupational Therapy (OT) Student
💰 $500 – Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Student

📅 Application Window: January 19– March 19
📣 Recipients Notified: By May 15
🏆 Recognition: 2026 NCOTA Fall Conference

Eligibility Requirements Include:
✔️ Full-time student in a NC entry-level OT or OTA program
✔️ Completion of at least two semesters
✔️ Good academic standing
✔️ Current NCOTA member
✔️ Completed application, resume, essay, references, and supporting documents

📌 Apply now: www.ncota.org

📧 Submit completed applications via email to office@ncota.org

📬 Or mail to:
NCOTA – Attention: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 20432
Raleigh, NC 27609

✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future—apply today!

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 found...

01/25/2026

📢 FREE CEUs for Occupational Therapists — Register Now!

🗓 March 7, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 James H. Quillen VA Campus – Building 2 (Ed Allen Hall, 1st Floor, OTD Dept.)
🎓 4.0 CEU Hours for OTs
💲 No cost to attend

This course is designed for OTs who may encounter persons with a history of SUD and will cover:
✔️ Science of addiction
✔️ Reducing stigma
✔️ Harm reduction strategies
✔️ Motivational interviewing tools
✔️ Interactive panel with peer recovery specialists

Information on the research study:

Participation in the research is voluntary and not required to attend the course.

Seeking OTs in the central and south-central Appalachia region with at least one year of clinical experience (non-pediatric, 50%+ clinical practice).

📋 The study includes:
• In-person CE course
• Pre/post assessments
• Course evaluation
• 4-week follow-up survey

👉 Register or learn more here:
https://redcap.link/OTDCls2027SUD

Please share with your OT colleagues! Let’s strengthen knowledge, confidence, and compassion in caring for individuals affected by SUD.

01/12/2026

🎓 SOON! Accepting Applications: Jane Davis Rourk NCOTA Scholarship 🎓

In honor of the remarkable legacy of Jane Davis Rourk, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA), in partnership with the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), is proud to offer this scholarship to support an occupational therapy student pursuing their degree in North Carolina.

Jane was a pioneer in school-based practice, an OT consultant to the NC Department of Public Instruction, a dedicated leader and volunteer, and a passionate educator and mentor who championed evidence-based practice and inclusive education.

✨ Eligibility:
✔️ Enrolled in an accredited OTA or OT program in North Carolina
✔️ Member of NCOTA

🗓️ Application Period:
📅 Opens January 14
⏰ Closes February 20

📝 Apply through the AOTF Scholarship Portal:
👉 www.aotf.org/scholarships

Help continue Jane’s lasting impact on the OT profession—apply today or share with a deserving student! 💙

Over 50 OT scholarships available ranging from $150 to $5,000

12/16/2025

📣 Course Offering – Register Today! 📣

SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course

📍 Charlotte, NC
📅 March 26–29, 2026

SOS Approach To Feeding

12/15/2025

AOTA member and North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) Vice President Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L, joined North Carolina Governor Josh Stein at a press conference announcing the reversal of Medicaid reimbursement provider cuts implemented in October—including a 3 percent rate reduction for outpatient specialized therapies like occupational therapy. With support from AOTA, NCOTA and other state associations will continue advocating for fair Medicaid payment policies that protect patient access to care.

Many states will be addressing Medicaid funding in their 2026 legislative sessions. We need your voice—membership in your state OT association and AOTA strengthens our ability to advocate for and protect fair reimbursement for OT services. Read the governor’s press release: https://bit.ly/4oRokma

Learn more about AOTA membership at aota.org/membership

12/13/2025

📣 Advocacy Works—and This Is Proof.

On Tuesday, December 9, Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina will repeal the Medicaid rate cuts that went into effect on October 1. These cuts, first announced by DHHS in August, included a 3% reduction to occupational therapy reimbursement on top of already historically low rates. Providers will receive retroactive reimbursement for the time the cuts were in place.

This outcome did not happen by chance.

After countless hours of coordinated advocacy with legislators, DHHS leadership, and the Governor’s office, NCOTA was invited to participate in the official press conference announcing the repeal—ensuring occupational therapy had a seat at the table.

NCOTA Vice President Clarice Grote attended the press conference and shared the following statement for the official press release:

“Medicaid recipients of all ages depend on occupational therapy services to support them in their daily lives,” said NC Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) Vice President Clarice Grote. “NCOTA is grateful to the Governor for today’s announcement.”

The rate cuts were initially proposed in response to a reported $800 million Medicaid budget shortfall. While this repeal is an important win, the work is not over. NCOTA will continue advocating for full Medicaid funding and meaningful rate increases that reflect the value of occupational therapy and protect access to care across North Carolina.

💪 This level of advocacy requires strength in numbers.
Membership directly strengthens NCOTA’s ability to respond to policy threats, engage in high-level advocacy, and protect OT practice in our state.

If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join. If you are a member—thank you for making this work possible, and please encourage a colleague to join as well.

✨ Together, we are stronger, louder, and more effective.

👉 Join NCOTA today to strengthen our advocacy.

12/12/2025

NCOTA is at the AOTA children and youth specialty conference in Charlotte. Stop by and learn about what state associations can do for you!

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Governor Stein announced today that they will be repealing the 3% Medicaid rate cut that originally took effect on October 1.

We will continue our advocacy efforts with the legislature to ensure Medicaid is fully funded and continue advocating for a rate increase that is desperately needed.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from NCOTA!🧡🦃

As we celebrate this season of gratitude, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our members, supporters, and followers. Your dedication, passion, and engagement have strengthened our community and fueled our advocacy efforts throughout the year.

We are truly grateful to walk alongside you in this amazing profession of occupational therapy, a field that brings hope, empowerment, and meaningful participation to so many lives. Your commitment makes a difference every day.

Thank you for being part of NCOTA and for all you do to advance OT in North Carolina. We look forward to continuing this important work together in the year ahead.

Wishing you a warm, joyful, and restorative Thanksgiving!

11/27/2025

👀✨ Low Vision Rehab Solutions is looking for practitioners — and YOU could be the next member of the team! 🙌

11/27/2025

📣 Reminder for OT Practitioners

NCTracks is now accepting public comments on the policy Ensuring Person-Centered Care for Children with Autism — open through November 27, 2025.

💡 Why this matters:
This is a critical opportunity to speak up about the need for access to occupational therapy and the barriers children face when OT services are limited due to rising ABA utilization.

📝 How to participate:
1️⃣ Review the policy paper:
medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/policy-paper-ensuring-person-centered-care-children-autism-spectrum-disorder-nc-medicaid-program/download?

2️⃣ Submit your comment:
Email Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov with the subject line:
“RB-BHT Policy Feedback”

➡️ Share your perspective on protecting access to OT services.
(We can provide a sample letter—please let us know if you’d like us to send it to you! Just remove any yellow highlights and add your name & credentials.)

Let’s make sure children across North Carolina have access to the full range of person-centered care they deserve. 💙