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Regulatory and Guidance Resources
Regulatory and Guidance Resources
Occupational and physical therapy services are provided to children and youth in educational settings to support their access to, participation in and benefit from their educational programs. In the state of Virginia, occupational and physical therapy services are provided to school administrations and teachers to enhance environments, curricula and instruction to promote learning and to students in collaboration with their teachers to accelerate learning and improve outcomes in independent living, post-secondary education and vocation. Services are guided by national. state and local regulatory mandates, policy statements, and guidance documents, many of which are sourced below. Be mindful that as practitioners we are beholden to regulation, or the laws that have been enacted through an explicit rule making process (e.g., practice acts and federal and state law). Guidance is published by organizations to help clarify existing regulation. Guidance examines and clarifies evidence regarding best practices for complying with regulations.
Virginia Department of Health Professions: Occupational Therapy
Virginia Department of Health Professions: Physical Therapy
Virginia Department of Education
Virginia Department of Special Education
Evaluation and Eligibility For Special Education and Related Services: Guidance Document
AOTA: Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Services in Early Intervention and Schools
Self Care
Self Care
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy has produced a wonderful webinar series addressing: Pathways to resilience: Strategies for a world in upheaval. It is a free webinar that provides us many useful strategies for ourselves and the school teams and families we serve.
The National Alliance on Mental Health offers useful guidance for managing stress and anxiety in the midst of coronavirus.
Headspace for Healthcare Practitioners is a mindfulness app that provides strategies for mindfulness, stress management and sleep.
We are all discovering new ways of working. Roles, routines and habits are changing as we usher in this new way of working. Check out this resource on: Cheap ways to make your work-from-home space more ergonomic and better for your back.
COVID - 19 Resources
COVID - 19 Resources
Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, March 12 and ordered all schools closed for at least two weeks. The next day, a national state of emergency was declared by the president. Following these announcements, a cascading of events was set in motion to reduce the physical proximity of of people to slow the spread of the virus.
On March 17, HHS OCR announced that HIPAA penalties for good faith use of teletherapy would be relaxed during the duration of the emergency.
The same day, USDOE released guidance on providing services to students with disabilities during the national emergency.
On March 21, USDOE released a supplemental fact sheet addressing education for students with disabilities during the national emergency.
On March 23, Governor Northam announced that all public school are closed through the academic year.
On March 30, Governor Northam a stay at home order until June 10 (or until it is rescinded).
The following resources provide information on coronavirus responses from state and national organizations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus
CDC: Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
World Health Organization - Coronavirus
US Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services: Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
Virginia Department of Health - Coronavirus
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services – Provider Flexibilities Related to COVID-19
COVID - 19 and Virginia Schools
Virginia Department of Education: COVID - 19 Frequently Asked Questions
AOTA: Information Pertaining to Occupational Therapy in the Era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: Coronavirus Disease
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