Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association

10/22/2026

🎉NEW CERT ALERT! 🎉

10/22/2026

🎉 NEW CERT ALERT! 🎉

The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) has introduced the BRAND NEW Occupational Therapist Certified in Adult Vision Rehabilitation (OTCAVR)! 👀

With millions of individuals experiencing visual impairment, the need for qualified vision rehabilitation professionals continues to grow, and OTs are uniquely equipped to meet this need through our emphasis on functional independence, participation in meaningful occupations, and quality of life. 🙌

OTCAVR creates a new pathway for OTs to demonstrate their specialized knowledge, training, and expertise in this specialized area of practice!

Cheri Harbour, among the first to earn the OTCAVR and one of the dedicated committee members who have made this idea into a reality, had this to say:

“This certification is an important step forward for occupational therapy in the field of vision rehabilitation. We are uniquely qualified to meet the needs of those with vision loss. This certification pathway will establish our continued role in helping our patients engage in meaningful and purposeful activities.” — Cheri Harbour, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, OTCAVR

📣 Are you an OT passionate about vision rehabilitation? Reach out to learn more about OTCAVR and take the next step in advancing your expertise and impact!

🎉Let’s all celebrate this milestone in our profession! 👏

10/22/2026

Career opportunities available! 💙📥✍️🧑‍💻

Visit our website to apply:
MSOTA website ➡️ Careers ➡️ Job Postings

10/14/2026

🎉🎉🎉

🎉 OT Compact Update!

As of October 5, two new states participating in the OT Compact Agreement - both neighboring Tennessee - have enacted OT Compact privileges: Mississippi and Arkansas!

Beginning October 5, individuals who live and hold an active OT or OTA license in Mississippi or Arkansas can obtain Compact privileges to practice in other OT Compact states that are also issuing privileges:

📍 Indiana
📍 Maryland
📍 Minnesota
📍 Ohio
📍 Virginia
📍 West Virginia
📍 Wisconsin

This expansion provides even more opportunities for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice across state lines through the OT Compact.

For information about eligibility and the application process, visit the “Before You Apply for an OT Compact Privilege” page at www.otcompact.org.

10/07/2026

🎉MSOTA is seeking nominations for Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Elect! 🎉

These are elected positions by the membership and those elected will take office in January of the upcoming year. 🗳️

The Vice President serves a one-year term before transitioning to a one-year term as President-Elect then transitioning to a two-year term as President. This office is, ultimately, a four-year term commitment.

Minimum qualifications include the following: must be a resident of Mississippi at the time of nomination and the duration of the elected term, must be a MSOTA member and in good standing with the Association, and must have served at least one year on the board, a committee or task force for the board, or in a supporting capacity to the board (i.e. Advisory Council).✅

*Please see MSOTA emails sent September 21st and 29th for responsibilities.*

The Secretary/Treasurer Elect is also a one-year training position for MSOTA Secretary/Treasurer followed by a two-year term as the Secretary/Treasurer.

Minimum qualifications include the following: must be a resident of Mississippi at the time of nomination and the duration of the elected term and must be a MSOTA member; in good standing with the Association ✅

*Please see MSOTA Email sent September 21st and 29th for responsibilities.*

Nominations should be submitted by email to Amanda Jordan, MSOTA Executive Director, at 📧mississippiota.gmail.com and should include a short bio of the nominee as well as a brief explanation of the nominee's qualifications. The cut off date for nominations is October 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Amanda at the email address indicated above.
--
Amanda L. Jordan, OTR/L
MSOTA Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 601-853-9564
E-Fax: 601-500-5757

10/02/2026

MSOTA Coastal District Chair, Tanner Lee, is hosting a District Meeting/Free CEU Event on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. This event will be held at The SPOT Therapy located at 6514 Hwy 90 in Gautier, MS 39553.

Speakers Donna Stauter and Dr. Sue Somerland will present "Low Tech - High Impact: A Make and Take Workshop on Building Switches and Battery Interrupters for Adapted Toys and Everyday Devices." Participants will make their own, individual adapted switch and a battery interrupter to use with a AA or AAA battery powered toy or device. Participants will also apply case scenarios to daily practice and leave prepared to use their switch in the clinic the next day.

This meeting is open and free for all to attend. MSOTA members only will receive a certificate for 2.0 CEU hours immediately following the event. Pre-registration is required by October 13, 2026, due to the need to order supplies and have them available for attendees by the time of the event. Click the link below to access the MSOTA website and register on-line.

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

09/25/2026

🎉🎉Attention MSOTA Members and MS OT practitioners! 🎉🎉

We appreciate your support of MSOTA as we, in collaboration with our lobbyist, have worked diligently to make this possible! Please see the following announcement from MSDH for details about the Occupational Therapist Licensure Compact.
(Check your email for easy access to attached links.) 🔗

“Dear Licensee:

The Mississippi State Department of Health is pleased to announce that Mississippi will officially join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OTCC) on October 5, 2026.

The OTCC provides an expedited pathway for eligible occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to obtain authorization to practice across participating compact member states, subject to the Compact’s eligibility requirements.

Background Check Requirement: Please be advised that completion of a comprehensive background check through the Mississippi State Department of Health is required before a licensee will be eligible to participate in the OTCC per Rule 4.5 of the Occupational Therapy Compact Commission Rules

You can visit Background Checks - Mississippi State Department of Health and refer to the instructions listed under “Professional Licensure Background Checks”.

Important Date: Licensees in Mississippi will be able to begin applying for privileges for the OTCC on Monday, October 5, 2026.

We encourage all licensees interested in practicing under the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to review the requirements and complete any outstanding requirements in advance of the go-live date.

Thank you for your cooperation as Mississippi begins its participation in the OTCC.

Sincerely,

Mississippi State Department of Health
Bureau of Professional Licensure
📧: [email protected]
📞: 601) 364-7360”

09/15/2026

Happy Rehabilitation Awareness Week! 🎉

Rehabilitation of the whole person often involves a multidisciplinary approach. Whether it’s promoting independence through occupational therapy interventions, empowering functional movement through physical therapy participation, or building connection through speech therapy—we collaborate to serve communities and foster meaningful participation in life.

You are appreciated! 💪💙🦽🏋️🗣️

Tag 🏷️ us in your rehab week activities!

08/20/2026

The Meridian District invites you to join us for a new event: “Panel of Pearls: Clinical Pearls for Everyday Practice.”This free event will take place on August 29, 2026, at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center - North Campus, in Meridian, MS, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with experts to ask questions, learn practical strategies, and gain insights or “pearls” that can be applied directly to everyday practice. Our panel of experienced occupational therapy practitioners represent a variety of practice settings and specialties that include upper extremity/physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, early intervention, lymphedema, and more!

For many OT practitioners working in rural areas like our district, it can be easy to feel professionally isolated or limited in available resources. Our goal is to help change this narrative. Beyond the invaluable knowledge to be gained, this event is designed to foster meaningful connections, encourage collaboration, and strengthen our OT practitioner community in a supportive, judgment-free environment.Whether you’re a new practitioner or seasoned clinician, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful discussion. Attendance is open and free to all. MSOTA members only will receive a 2.0 hour continuing education certificate that will be provided immediately following the event. Pre-registration is currently open for this event online and on-site registration is also available. Please arrive early to complete the registration process.

If you have questions regarding this event, please feel free to reach out to Meridian District Co-Chair Sarah Whinery, OTD, OTR/L at [email protected].

Parking Instructions: Park in the parking garage; from the parking garage, take the elevator to level G (garage); follow the arrows - turn left off the elevator, walk down the hallway and turn left again to enter to the Auditorium at the end of the hallwayAddress: 2124 14th St. Meridian, MS, 39301 (North Campus with the parking garage)

https://www.mississippiota.org/upcoming-ce-events

07/28/2026

🎉 Celebrating Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association! 🎉

We are proud to share that MSOTA was recognized by the Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP) the 2026 Professional Development Award for our outstanding commitment to advancing professional development during this year’s conference weekend. 🏆

This recognition was presented at the 2026 ASAP Annual Meeting during AOTA Inspire 2026 in Anaheim, California, where state associations from across the country were honored for their dedication to strengthening the occupational therapy profession.

📸 Pictured (4th from the left): Courtney Everett, Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association President-Elect, and Peter Giroux, Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association President, celebrating this incredible achievement alongside fellow ASAP award recipients. ❤️

Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and dedication made this recognition possible! Together, we continue to elevate the occupational therapy profession and invest in the growth of practitioners across Mississippi. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼💙

Read more about the award and the outstanding work of state occupational therapy associations here: check comments for link ✅