OTAC History

2012

• Patricia Nagaishi, PhD, OTR/L elected as President (2012-2014)
• 2012 Spring Symposium held at the Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel was a grand success, largest attendance in teh events history.

2011

• OTAC's Annual Conference celebrated 35 years.
• American Diabetes Association honored as the 4th Annual OTAC Conference Sponsored Organization.
• OTAC Insurance Services and Dynamic Learning introduced as new member benefits.

2010

• Shawn Phipps, PhD (Cand.), MS, OTR/L elected President for a second term of office.
• 2010 Spring Symposium held at the Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel was a grand success.
• Members voted to support a new committee structure.
• 34th Annual OTAC Conference in Pasadena, CA was a huge success - attendance surpassed the 2009 Conference.
• CA Brain Injury Association honoroed as the 3rd Annual OTAC Conference-Sponsored Organization.
• OTAC transitioned to a new association management database for greater capabilities at less cost.

2009

• 33rd Annual OTAC Conference had the largest attendance in OTAC's 33-year history.
• Autism Speaks honored as the 2nd Annual OTAC Conference-Sponsored Organization.
• Occupational Therapy Assistants become licensed in the State of California.
• OTAC introduces online continuing education opportunities for members via webinars and podcasts.

2008

• Shawn Phipps, MS, OTR/L elected President.
• OTAC hires new executive director, Karen C. Polastri.
• OTAC adopts a new logo, website, and newsletter format for enhanced communications with members.
• Rebuilding Together honored as the first official OTAC Conference-Sponsored Organization.
• Pro-Quest, a full-text evidence-based article database subscription, was introduced as a new OTAC membership benefit.

2007

• Chuck Strauch retires after 22 years serving as Executive Director. Karen Polastri takes the reins.
• Annette Bushong retires after 11 years as Office Manager.
• Richard Bookwalter signs contract with Association Resource Center (ARC) and OTAC moves to a new Folsom address. ARC offers a new staffing model and cost-sharing structure with other professional associations.

2006

• Richard Bookwalter elected President, 2006-2008.
• Membership votes to approve restructure of the association and the Board of Directors from 15 chapter representation to a 5 region structure and representation.
• 1st Spring Fling No Frills Conference held.

2004

• Christine Weitlisbach elected President, 2004-2006.

2003

• Members begin to receive their licenses.

2002

• OTAC moves to El Camino Avenue office.
• Melissa Szamet elected President, 2002-04.

2000

• OTAC resubmits licensure bill as SB 1046 and clears the Senate with no opposition.
• CCAPTA opposes the bill at Assembly Health Committee hearing and extensive renegotiations begin.
• The bill is resubmitted for consideration and passed with unanimous vote.
• Diane Josephs is elected President, 2000-02.
• SB 1046 signed into law by Governor Gray Davis on September 25, 2000.
• The California Board of Occupational Therapy is formed.

1999

• OTAC Board adopts Vision Statement.
• Sunrise document is completed and submitted.
• Face to face negotiations begin with the California Chapter of Physical Therapy Association (CCAPTA).
• OTAC licensure bill is submitted (SB 1287), goes to the governor's desk, and is vetoed by Gov. Davis for financial concerns.
• Resolution E is referred to AOTA state task force committee for consideration.
• OTAC publishes "Branching Out: Private Practice and Beyond"

1998

• Luella Grangaard elected President, 1998-2000.
• OTAC begins negotiations with AOTA to collaborate on a new licensure initiative.
• OTAC enters into the first state association - AOTA memorandum of understanding to move forth a new licensure initiative.
• Lobbyist is hired to begin work on the licensure bill. Senator Kevin Murray agrees to author the bill.
• The volunteer initiative "Make a Difference" begins, which aims to recruit 300 volunteers over the next two years.
• OTAC submits Resolution E to AOTA representative assembly.

1997

• OTAC is invited to begin collaborations with the California Health Association (CHA).

1996

• Susan Smiley elected President, 1996-1998.
• The first OTR student representative serves on the Board of Directors.
• OTAC publishes "OT Aide Training Manual".

1995

• The Board of Directors passes a budget for the first time.
• OTAC is invited to attend a reception for the President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

1994

• Lin Reed elected President, 1994-1996.

1993

• AB 1852 is introduced initially as a licensing act, but is later amended to broaden the existing Trademark Law and is signed into law in September.

1992

• Brenda Collins is elected President, 1992-1994.
• The Licensure Advisory Panel submits a revised scope of practice to the OTAC Board of Directors where it is adopted.

1991

• The Great Grassroots Campaign is developed to assure that key legislators are connected to local occupational therapists to assist them with health care issues.
• An Attorney General's opinion is obtained regarding the use of physical agent modalities in conjunction with occupational therapy, which is contrary to the General's opinion in 1982.

1990

• The Mission Plan and Long Range Plan is revised, resulting in new goals being:
• Quality occupational therapy practice in California
• Occupational therapy as a viable health profession in California
• OTAC, as a viable organization, effectively meet members needs.
• Janet Jabri is elected President, 1990-92.

1989

• AB 1245 is introduced to the Assembly Health Committee to establish licensure for occupational therapy. It is defeated.

1988

• Ardith Breton elected President, 1988-1990.
• A scope of practice, as defined by the Licensure Task Force, is adopted by the Board of Directors.

1987

• A Licensure Task Force is appointed to further study the issue of Licensure.

1986

• Chuck Strauch hired as first full-time salaried Executive Director/Lobbyist.
• First OTAC office is established two blocks from the capital in Sacramento.

1985

• Annual conference incorporates a paid speaker and innovative educational tracks.

1984

• Diane Hendricks elected President, 1984-1988.
• President-Elect position developed to allow training and transition time.
• AB 34 79 submitted, a repeat attempt to establish a scope of practice definition. It is dropped.

1983

• SB 103 submitted, establishing a definition for an occupational therapy scope of practice. It is dropped.

1982

• Despite tremendous debate, AB 1145 is dropped.

1981

• AB 1145 submitted to legislature, combining licensure with annual continuing education requirements.
• OTAC responded to a request from the Attorney General regarding occupational therapy's use of modalities listed in the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

1980

• The Board recognized its greatest membership challenge is to help members understand why and how decisions are made and to actively seek their support for that decision.
• OTAC submitted a resolution to the AOTA Representative Assembly which and was passed, resulting in AOTA taking notice of this fledgling association.
• Mary M. Evert elected President from 1980-84.
• OTAC contracts with OTAC to provide management services.

1979

• AK Associates contracted to provide management support and Sacramento office established. First professional office address for any occupational therapy association in the U.S.

1978

• Doris Cutting elected President, 1978-80.

1977

• A Long Range Plan was developed for the Association with the goals:
• To augment the understanding and use of occupational therapy.
• To upgrade the quality of occupational therapy practice.
• To solidify the OTAC organizational structure.
• A Trademark Law passed which protected the title of occupational therapy.

1976

• Southern California Occupational Therapy Association (SCOTA) and Northern California Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) merge to become one incorporated state association.
• Mary Lou Hymen elected as President, 1976-1978.
• First licensure bill passed by both legislative houses and then vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown.