Health, Well-being, and Community Participation Poudre Libraries
The Poudre Libraries initiative partners with the public library system to expand access to occupational therapy through community-based programming, student learning opportunities, and innovative approaches to supporting health, well-being, and community participation.
Teaching and Learning
- OT750 community-engaged learning experiences, include needs assessments and program proposals. Examples of past projects include: Activity Carts, Refresh Room, LINCS.
- Level I and Level II Fieldwork student experiences
- Capstone student projects, including implementation of the “Refresh Room” and staff training initiatives
Service and Outreach
- “New Chapters” programming for adults experiencing homelessness at Old Town Library, including 1:1 drop-in and group services.
- Implementation of the “Activity Carts” – now at all 3 branches – Old Town, Harmony and Council Tree
- Coming Soon: Adult Storytimes at Council Tree
Research and Scholarship
- “New Chapters” outcomes tracking and program evaluation
- “New Chapters: OT at the Library for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness”, presented at the 2026 AOTA INSPIRE Annual Conference and Expo
- “I Partner With My Public Library” award, 2025
- Colorado Association of Libraries’ “Library Partnership of the Year” award, 2025
Health, Well-being, and Academic Participation OT-RENEWS
The OT-RENEWS initiative aims to advance occupational therapy’s role in higher education by supporting college student mental health, well-being, and academic participation.
Teaching and Learning
- OT 750 community-engaged learning experience consisting of a needs assessment and program proposal.
- Capstone student project Spring 2026
Research and Scholarship
- Collaboration with a national network of occupational therapy practitioners and educators to identify best practices for needs assessments aimed at integrating occupational therapy within higher education settings
Service and Outreach
- Partnership-building with CSU campus stakeholders to identify possible funding sources
Health, Well-being, and Community Participation Youth Experiencing Homelessness
The Youth Experiencing Homelessness initiative seeks to advance occupational therapy practice, research, and education that support the health, well-being, and community participation of individuals – particularly young adults – navigating housing instability and related challenges such as mental health and substance use difficulties.
Teaching and Learning
- Capstone student mentor Fall 2025 – supported program development at a shelter in Utah
Research and Scholarship
- Investigating lived experiences with substance use for youth experiencing homelessness in San Diego
- Understanding youth experiences with occupational therapy services at a transitional housing program
- Exploring the impact of occupational therapy student experiences (including fieldwork and capstone) within a transitional housing program serving youth experiencing homelessness