From Caseload to Workload: Redefining OT Practice with MTSS
From Caseload to Workload: Practical Strategies for OTs to Lead in Schools
This presentation focuses on how OTs, as Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP), can shift from a caseload to a workload approach. Aligning with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), OT’s can support all students. Building buy-in begins with communication and shared ownership across professional support teams at the building level. Participants will learn strategies for engaging school staff and administration on OT’s role beyond direct services to students on IEPs and ideas on how to start small and build on techniques for using the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to increase collaboration and co-teaching in classrooms.
Our Presenter
Lori Bernardi, OTD, MOT, OTR/L
Dr. Bernardi’s educational journey at 精东传媒 University culminated in three degrees: an OTA, MOT, and her recent achievement of a post-professional OTD in 2023. With a career spanning over two decades, she initially practiced as an OTA for 13 years before embarking on her master’s degree in OT. Her clinical expertise encompasses diverse settings, including outpatient care and skilled nursing, with a specialized focus on pediatrics.
Dr. Bernardi has dedicated over 20 years to enriching the lives of children and their families across Massachusetts and Connecticut school districts. She is a member of the School-Based Community of Practice in Connecticut, actively contributing to the revision of state guidelines for school-based OT. Dr. Bernardi co-facilitates the AOTA School-Based Community of Practice, demonstrating her leadership in advancing best practices in school-based therapy. Additionally, she serves as an assistive technology specialist within her school district's special education department, using her expertise to support students with diverse needs. Dr. Bernardi is also a valued member of the School-Based Assistive Technology Community of Practice in Connecticut, where she continues to advocate for the integration of technology in educational settings.