Academy News

5 Jun

Join the APTA Pediatrics Mentoring Program by 6/30

New to a pediatric setting? Have experience in your setting and want to help others grow? Join the APTA Pediatrics Mentoring Program as a mentee or a mentor! The application for the 2023-2024 APTA Pediatrics Mentoring Program is open. The program year runs from August 1 to May 31 and pairs a mentor with a mentee, allowing the pair freedom to develop the relationship to benefit you both. We support the process by providing programs throughout the year to foster your relationship, the option of Mentoring Circles that allow you to tap into expertise from PTs in various practice areas within pediatric physical therapy, and the option for a new networking platform to improve connections and discussions. You must be an APTA Pediatrics member and must graduate by August 2023 to participate. Click here to find out more about the Mentoring Program and sign up by June 30!

June 05, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?m6k60o Google+ Email Twitter
5 Jun

PCS Applications Due 7/31

Interested in becoming a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist? The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) is accepting applications for the 2024 Pediatric specialty examination through July 31. Find out more about the process here. APTA members save 45% on combined application and exam fees and those who register by the early bird deadline will receive an additional $100 savings! Once you sign up, check out the resources available from APTA Pediatrics and consider taking a course to help you prepare, such as the Advanced Clinical Practice in Pediatrics course, APTA Pediatrics Annual Conference (with a dedicated PCS track), or the PCS Prep Online Course.

June 05, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?z57fm6 Google+ Email Twitter
25 May

Upcoming Funding Opportunities for Pediatric Physical Therapy

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research Pediatric Fund Grant – Letter of Intent Due 6/1, Application Deadline 8/2: APTA Pediatrics supports this $40,000 research grant through the Foundation. The grant will be awarded to an emerging investigator that seeks to conduct research consistent with the APTA Pediatrics Research Agenda. Additional details available here.

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research McEwen School-Based PT Research Grant – Letter of Intent Due 6/1, Application Deadline 8/2: This $40,000 grant, established by long-time APTA Pediatrics member Irene McEwen, PT, PhD, FAPTA, supports relevant school-based PT research. Additional details available here.

Federal Register: Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-Preparation of Related Services Personnel Serving Children With Disabilities who Have High-Intensity Needs. Questions can be directed to Louise Tripoli, Louise.Tripoli@ed.gov, 202-245-7554. Brochure below.


Grants forecast for FY 2023 in the Grants.gov database:

May 25, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?szf9d6 Google+ Email Twitter
23 May

Pediatric Federal Affairs Liaison Update (May 2023)

Some hightlights from the May edition of the APTA Advocacy Network Newsletter (you can sign up to receive this for free from APTA Advocacy Network):

Congressional Update

The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

On Thursday, May 11, the COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended and with it the various waivers that have been in place since early 2020. Of note for PTs and PTAs the ability to utilize telehealth under Medicare, which was a critical waiver allowed during the PHE, was extended by Congress through the end of 2024. APTA also was successful in getting confirmation from CMS (see question 21) that the continued use of telehealth by therapists is allowed for hospital-based outpatient departments. CMS responded to advocacy by APTA and other organizations and now says that hospitals can bill Medicare for services provided via telehealth until the end of 2023. Previously, CMS had suggested any setting that used a UBO4 claim form — the form used by most hospitals — was excluded from billing for telehealth after the end of the PHE.

While the PHE may be over, advocacy aimed at addressing the impact of the pandemic on the health care workforce continues, as well as providing resources to support providers and patients. The APTA-supported legislation TREAT Long COVID Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase access to medical care and treatment for communities and individuals struggling with long COVID and its associated conditions. The bill will fund the expansion of long COVID clinics and empower health care providers to treat patients with it in their own communities. Finally, to help educate consumers, patients, and other providers about the role of PTs and PTAs in the treatment of long COVID, APTA recently released its latest ChoosePT public service announcement.

State Update

Virginia On Tuesday, March 21, Virginia Governor Youngkin signed legislation eliminating the provision that limited treatment without a referral by a licensed physical therapist to 60 consecutive days after evaluation of the patient. The bill also eliminates the requirement that a physical therapist only may practice dry needling under a referral. Finally, the legislation clarifies that a referral is not required for physical therapist services for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, who require physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized services plan under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education. This law takes effect Saturday, July 1, 2023. Congratulation to the Missouri and Virginia chapters for their legislative wins in removing restrictions tied to treatment without a referral.

Grassroots Update

Raise Your Voice With Congress at APTA Capitol Hill Day

Advocating for physical therapy on Capitol Hill with hundreds of other APTA members is an experience like no other. Join us July 24-25 for APTA Capitol Hill Day.
To kick off the event, there will be a mandatory advocacy training at 4 p.m. ET on July 24 that will take place at the host hotel, the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. You will learn about the issues we are advocating for, how to be a successful advocate, and meet with others attending from your state to prepare for your meetings. On July 25, you will be on Capitol Hill meeting with your representatives and senators to talk about important issues that will impact the future of the physical therapy profession. Please do not schedule Capitol Hill meetings on your own; APTA has hired a vendor that will schedule all meetings for you. Registration is open today! Learn more and don’t miss your chance to raise your voice on Capitol Hill.

Thank you,

Erin Wentzell, PT, DPT, DrPH

APTA PEDIATRICS FEDERAL AFFAIRS LIAISON

May 23, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?1zhifz Google+ Email Twitter
15 May

Free Access to ORCHA-APTA Digital Health App Library

APTA is working with ORCHA (Organization for the Review of Care and Health Apps) to launch a digital health app library available to APTA members. Apps in the library will reviewed against the USDHAF (US Digital Health Assessment Framework), which includes components specific to US on data and privacy, clinical assurance and safety, usability and accessibility, and technical security and stability. Live training sessions are open to APTA Pediatrics members from 1:00-2:00 pm ET on use of the ORCHA-APTA Digital Health App Library. Sign up for one of the following dates:

May 15, 2023

May 22, 2023

June 5, 2023

June 12, 2023

June 26, 2023

 

Contact sarahamesbury@apta.org with questions.

May 15, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?5t7fct Google+ Email Twitter
24 Apr

President’s Message

From the President

Members of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy,

Spring has sprung for most of us across the US, and while the wacky weather continues, we know that summer is around the corner. First, thank you for your membership in APTA Pediatrics and your willingness to support the profession of physical therapy through your commitment to APTA. Being a member of this association is essential for the future of our profession. So, thank you!

This letter will just be a summary of some of the happenings in APTA Pediatrics. You can learn so much more about the Academy through the website, social media, and the Milestones newsletter. Watch for news coming soon about monthly “office hours” to begin in fall 2023. Each month one of the Academy’s elected officers will host a time to connect – learn what they do, ask questions, and share ideas with them directly.  

APTA recently made changes to its structure of member engagement groups, and APTA Pediatrics was asked to appoint a representative to the Student Council and PTA Council. We posted these positions on Engage and thank Abby Davis, SPT, and Lisa Warwick-Arndt, PTA, for applying and being selected to represent us on each of the Councils. These positions have 2-year terms, so watch for additional opportunities in the future.

In the coming months, APTA Pediatrics will host Education Summit III in June at APTA Headquarters in Alexandria, VA. This Summit will be attended by 46 pediatric physical therapy educators who will focus on the pediatric core competencies and competency based education. In October, Research Summit VI will be held in Alexandria, VA, with a focus on personalized medicine. The Call for Applications for the Research Summit is posted at www.pediatricapta.org under News; please apply by May 26, 2023.

APTA Pediatrics is also working hard to upgrade and reorganize many aspects of its Professional Development activities, including online education, conferences, and webinars. Watch for additional information about these changes as they become available. It is likely that in coming months we will move to a new structure requiring non-members to pay additional fees to access fact sheets, webinars, and other APTA Pediatrics, while remaining free to Academy members – encourage your friends and colleagues to become members to support the work of APTA Pediatrics completed by our many volunteers.

The Academy Board of Directors has been busy navigating a challenging financial time in this post-pandemic era and is focused on access to resources to support all our members in providing pediatric physical therapy.  I am committed to leading us forward collectively through education, research, advocacy, leadership, practice, and professional development – we are the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy!

It is my pleasure to serve,

Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA

April 24, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?w4twhp Google+ Email Twitter
3 Apr

Interested in Serving on the APTA Pediatrics Board of Directors? Candidate Nominations Due 8/1

Help the APTA Pediatrics Nominating Committee identify who you want to lead our organization - good leadership and change only happen when members get involved. Consider who you’d like to see in the roles of Vice President, Secretary, Director of Academic & Clinical Education, Director of Research, and Nominating Committee Member (position descriptions can be found in the Policy & Procedure Manual under About APTA Pediatrics). Experience, innovative ideas, and diverse voices are valued! Please reach out to nominatingcommittee@pediatricapta.org if you have questions or would like to find out more. (If you are considering a leadership position, but don’t yet feel like you have enough experience, reach out to Director of Leadership Development Erin Bompiani for guidance on how to prepare yourself for future leadership roles.) Elections will take place in fall 2023 and positions will begin at CSM 2024. Thank you for your contribution to this process!

April 03, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?jw0oo7 Google+ Email Twitter
28 Feb

2023 SNP AC Scholarship Applications Due 8/1, Other Awards & Scholarships Due 10/1

Apply for an APTA Pediatrics award or scholarship in 2023!  APTA Pediatrics awards honor service, mentorship, advocacy, research, and clinical excellence. APTA Pediatrics scholarships help your prepare for the Pediatric Certified Specialist Exam, pay for membership, and attend conferences. Nominate a coworker, colleague, or yourself for one of the following awards or scholarships:

  • Service Awards: GE "Bud" DeHaven Service Award, Jeanne Fischer Distinguished Mentorship Award, Susan Effgen Advocacy Award, Distinguished Service Award for External Advocates
  • Clinician Award: Outstanding Pediatric Clinical Practice Award (PT or PTA)
  • Research Awards: Dissertation Award, Stephen Haley Research Award
  • Scholarships: Carol Gildenberg Dichter Memorial PCS Scholarships, Diversity Development Scholarship for Student/New Professional, APTA Pediatrics Annual Conference Attendance Scholarships for Student/New Professional (due 8/1), CSM Attendance Scholarships for Student/New Professional, Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal Mentored Writing Scholarship

Apply for an APTA Pediatrics award or scholarship in 2023! APTA Pediatrics awards honor service, mentorship, advocacy, research, and clinical excellence. APTA Pediatrics scholarships help you prepare for the Pediatric Certified Specialist Exam, pay for membership, and attend conferences. Nominate a coworker, colleague, or yourself! Find out more here. Student & New Professional Annual Conference Attendance Scholarships are due August 1; others are due October 1. Questions may be directed to info@pediatricapta.org.  

February 28, 2023 Short Url: https://PediatricAPTA.org?7b3elw Google+ Email Twitter