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Department of Occupational Therapy
College of Health and Human Sciences

OT Prep Project

What is the OT Prep Project?

The Occupational Therapy Preparation to Improve Services and Outcomes for School-Age Children with Disabilities who Have High-Intensity Needs (OT Prep Project) helps meet the need for school-based OTs to serve children with disabilities in public schools. CSU is recruiting and training OT student scholars to work with school-aged (5-21) students with disabilities who have high-intensity needs.

What is the application process?

  • Step 2: Apply to OT Prep Project 
    • Application materials will be available mid-January and will close on February 24 
    • Decisions for scholars will be made by mid-March 
    • Current and admitted students will receive in-class and email notifications of the OT Prep Project opportunity 

***CSU Pueblo Students are encouraged to apply*** 

Who is eligible to apply to be an OT Prep Scholar?

  • OT students interested in school-based and pediatric OT
    • Incoming students who have applied and been accepted into the Colorado State University Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.  
    • Current first-year OTD students at Colorado State University who are interested in working in pediatrics upon graduation. 
    • Current OT Prep Project Scholars may be eligible for additional funding – current applicants DO NOT receive preferential treatment during application 
  • Applicants must be interested in working with pediatrics and able to fulfill a 2-year service obligation to work in special education upon graduation 
  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens 

What Activities are the OT Prep Scholars Involved In?

OT Prep Scholars will receive specialized training, professional development courses, targeted fieldwork and capstone experiences, and educational seminars to advance the knowledge and skills of OT students preparing for work with school-age children with high-intensity needs. Specific opportunities for OT Prep Scholars include:

  • AOTA School-Based Practice Certificate:
    • Public Policy Supporting OT in Schools
    • The Role of OT in Public Schools Systems of Support
    • OT Contributions to the Individualized Education Program Under IDEA Part B
    • Integration Course
    • Supporting Social and Emotional Wellbeing in K-12
    • Supporting Academic Achievement in School-Based Practice
    • Supporting Educational Transition from K-12 to Adulthood

FAQs

Who Sponsors OT Prep?

The OT Prep Project grant was awarded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in the Fall of 2023. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities from birth through age 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP operates under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA).

What is required of our OT Prep Scholars?

  • Scholars must complete all graduation requirements including all assigned coursework, fieldwork, and capstone experiences. 
  • Scholars must complete all additional OT Prep Project activities (e.g., seminar, AOTA School-Based Practice Certificate). 
  • Scholars must attain national board certification and state licensure as occupational therapists and maintain eligibility to work as an occupational therapist in school settings after graduation. 
  • Scholars must work a minimum of two years (full-time or equivalent), in a primarily direct clinical role with students who qualify for special education services.  
    • Scholars have up to seven years to fulfill their service obligation before being required to repay their scholarship funds. 

What support do scholars receive?

  • Students receive $37,375 per academic year of participation. This is in the form of a scholarship and stipend. 

When did the OT Prep Program Begin at CSU?

  • The first cohort applied in the spring of 2024 and was accepted for enrollment in the fall of 2024. Seven students were enrolled based on a comprehensive review and competitive application process. 
  • We received 29 applicants