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Importance: Matching the demographics of health professionals and patient populations increases access to quality care. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the most effective strategies for recruitment and retention of diverse practitioners. Objective: To answer the question “What are the perceived challenges to and facilitators of the recruitment and retention of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) and students of color?” Design: A qualitative interpretive, constructionist design was used. Purposive recruitment that used convenience sampling was conducted at the 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo and via the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus Facebook group. Data were collected online from three focus groups and four interviews. Setting: Online through social media. Participants: The total sample included 5 OTPs and 7 students; 91.7% identified as African-American or Black. Outcomes and Measures: Inductive analysis was used to interpret the open-ended questions. After transcription, each interview or focus group transcript was reviewed with Colaizzi’s seven-step method of data analysis. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) lack of representation in and knowledge about occupational therapy, (2) feeling like an outsider, (3) need for financial support, (4) individualized mentor–mentee relationships, and (5) connections with national organizations specifically for people of color. Conclusions and Relevance: This study identified experiences of OTPs and students of color and how identified barriers can be addressed. Implications for the profession include purposive recruitment, professional development for faculty, provision of mentoring, and financial support. Future research should focus on creation and evaluation of evidence-based strategies for the recruitment and retention of students of color in occupational therapy. What This Article Adds: This study provided voices of OTPs and students of color regarding challenges and facilitators experienced in the profession. With an accurate understanding of experiences of people of color, effective strategies can be developed to foster their successful transition into the occupational therapy workforce.

Importance: Transition and integration reentry services continue to grow in carceral settings; however, related provision of occupational therapy is limited. Objective: To examine the implementation fidelity of an occupational therapy–administered interprofessional reentry program initiated in an urban jail. Design: Retrospective, mixed quantitative and qualitative design. Setting: Community-based reentry services provided prerelease in a Midwestern urban jail and postrelease in the local St. Louis community. Participants: Occupational therapy practitioners tracking process measures for identifying reentry project feasibility. Intervention: Provision of recruitment, assessment, and skilled occupational therapy services with people held in a short-term jail facility and follow-up during community reentry. Outcome and Measures: Detailed logs were analyzed to describe attendance at and duration of sessions. We coded barriers to and facilitators of implementation from weekly team meeting notes and logs using social–ecological categories. Results: Findings indicate that it was feasible to implement prerelease jail-based services (N = 63) because of jail operations and community partnerships (facilitators) and to overcome institutional policies and environmental limitations (barriers). Full 8-wk prerelease programming was completed by 38% (n = 24) of participants, and 52% (n = 33) participated less than 8 wk. All who completed the full prerelease program and transitioned to the community (n = 15) initiated postrelease occupational therapy services. Conclusions and Relevance: The iterative feedback provided by process evaluation supported the feasibility of implementing the jail-based Occupational Therapy Transition and Integration Services program. What This Article Adds: This process evaluation provides evidence that implementation of an occupational therapy–based transition program in an urban jail is feasible.

Date Presented 04/04/19 Occupation-based, holistic re-entry programming is critical for successful transitions of individuals who are incarcerated. This study explores the fidelity of comprehensive OT services for incarcerated individuals transitioning to community life. Using a mixed-methods process evaluation, this study navigates the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of justice-based OT. Primary Author and Speaker: Erica Skinner Additional Authors and Speakers: Lisa Jaegers Contributing Authors: Karen Barney, Diane Smith, Brittany Conners, Christine Hayes

Date Presented 4/7/2016 People with physical and mental disabilities are significantly less prepared for emergencies than persons without disabilities. Occupational therapy practitioners have an important role in reducing this disparity through training and advocacy for participation at the community level. Primary Author and Speaker: Diane Smith