Our Model: TIED to the Community
Theorize
The CPL seeks to consider and develop theoretical and experiential perspectives that will inform how we conceptualize and guide community work. These theories include occupation-based lenses, systemic justice, anti-oppression, critical theory, pragmatism, and community-driven perspectives. We also showcase community programs we’re involved with to disseminate to the larger community.Examples of theoretical development produced by the CPL team:
Incubate
The CPL engages with community partners to ignite or conceptualize community initiatives. In shorter-term partnerships with masters-level occupational therapy students, we work with community partners to develop a clear and concrete approach for moving a program or initiative relevant to the community forward. Deliverables often include a well developed strategic plan for operationalizing the program, including proposed funding options, and initial materials such a resource packet or brief training for community partners to jumpstart the process.For longer term relationships or consultation to innovate, develop, or evaluate new community initiatives, community or business partners should contact us.
Examples of community-partnered projects:
- OT in the House: A Role for Occupational Therapy in Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
- Planting Habits: An Ergonomics Initiative
- The Ackland Access Initiative
- Project Connect!
Projects such as these not only advance community partners’ initiatives but also support graduate students’ academic growth. Occupational therapy practitioners increasingly support positive social change, addressing community, population, and systems-level concerns beyond the scope of typical individual-level practice.
MSOT Community Practice Course: Each spring semester, Dr. Lavalley leads a MSOT Community Practice course in which six teams of four students are introduced to practice oriented toward community change and provided with an experiential learning opportunity to contribute to and/or design a real-world transformative initiative alongside a community partner. Situated through a lens of justice and critical perspectives, the course examines the everyday unfolding of groups, communities, and social systems including their impact on wellbeing and participation in occupation. Student teams meet with and engage with local organizations to develop initiatives or resources that support the organizations’ work. Students have partnered with organizations such as the Ackland Art Museum, the LGBTQ Center of Durham, the Marian Cheek Jackson Center, the Orange County Department on Aging, and more.
Independent Studies, Practicums, & Capstones: The CPL can also host independent studies, practicums, and capstones of relevance and expertise of our team. View past independent studies, practicums, and capstones and learn more about the process.
Enact
The CPL is actively involved in the ongoing implementation of community initiatives with long-term partners. Learn more about our work across three focus areas:Disseminate
In addition to publishing its own theoretical knowledge, the CPL also highlights resources, knowledge, and collaborators that support effective and sustained community practice.
The Uncommon OT Series (Patricia Motus)
“Where we feature the unique careers of Occupational Therapy practitioners currently employed in role-emerging and non-traditional practice areas…settings where OT is uncommon.”
Dr. thOTs (Drs. Ryan Lavalley & Khalilah Johnson)
“A smart, driven, and fabulous podcast by Drs. Ryan Lavalley and Khalilah Johnson where sometimes it’s about occupation and sometimes it’s just sassy.”
Antiracist Occupational Therapy: Unsettling the Status Quo
Editor: Musharrat J. Ahmed-landeryou
“This timely book provides a compendium of global insights into the inequities faced by Black and minoritised groups in health and social care and considers how key changes in occupational therapy practice and education can redress disparities.”
Social Occupational Therapy: Theoretical and Practical Designs
Authors: Roseli Esquerdo Lopes, Ana Paula Serrata Malfitano
“This groundbreaking text offers a global view of the role of occupational therapy and the potential contributions of occupational therapists to their societies — specifically in social services and with populations in situations of social vulnerability.”
And a Seed Was Planted: Occupation Based Approaches for Social Inclusion (3-book series)
Volume 1: Theoretical views and shifting perspectives
Editors: Hanneke van Bruggen, Sarah Kantartzis, Nick Pollard
Volume 2: Inclusion projects and learning experiences
Editors: Sarah Kantartzis, Nick Pollard, Hanneke van Bruggen
Volume 3: The context of inclusion: Participatory approaches and research beyond individual perspectives
Editors: Nick Pollard, Hanneke van Bruggen, Sarah Kantartzis
The Metuia/UFES laboratory offers teaching, research, and extension activities related to social occupational therapy. This network was developed at the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo and is part of the larger Metuia Network.
International Social Transformation through Occupation Network
Formed in 2016, ISTTON aims to promote critical reflection and create pathways towards solutions of how to tackle issues of social and health inequalities from an occupational perspective.
The CPL hosts and participates in a wide variety of events and workshops to share theoretical knowledge, contribute to thought leadership, support partners’ community outreach efforts, and more.
For an overview of how the CPL team conceptualizes community practice, view a 2023 keynote address by CPL Primary Lead Dr. Ryan Lavalley.
For information about the types of events, workshops, and presentations we offer, learn more about our events and workshops in both academic and community settings.