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HPU has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Scholars Program. Funding will be used to train OTD scholars in a specialized program aimed at meeting the specific needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children with disabilities with high-intensity needs and addressing workforce shortages in Hawai‘i. Graduates will be equipped to work in early intervention and preschool special education settings across the state, focusing on delivering culturally and linguistically responsive occupational therapy services. ​​The OTD Scholars Program is supported by both the Hawai‘i Department of Health Early Intervention Section and the Department of Education, Special Education Section. 

“Receiving this grant is a pivotal moment for Hawai‘i Pacific Å·ÃÀAƬ and the state of Hawai‘i. With this funding, we can address the critical shortage of occupational therapists in our communities, particularly for children with disabilities with high-intensity needs,” HPU Dean of the Graduate College of Health Sciences, Tricia Catalino, PT, D.Sc said. “By educating OTD scholars through our specialized program, we are not only preparing them to deliver culturally and linguistically responsive services but also ensuring that the needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are met. This grant enables HPU to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Hawai‘i faces a significant shortage of occupational therapists, ranking among the lowest in the U.S., with just 47 therapists per 100,000 people with disabilities. This shortage is particularly concerning for children with disabilities. Approximately 3,000 children in Hawai‘i receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C, which provides support for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Additionally, 2,134 children benefit from Preschool Special Education services under IDEA Part B, which covers educational services for children aged 3 to 21 with disabilities. However, there are only 15 occupational therapists available for early intervention, resulting in a 38% vacancy rate. In school-based settings, there are just 28 occupational therapists, with a 20% vacancy rate. This lack of therapists means that the therapy needs of many of Hawai‘i’s infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities are not being adequately met.

"In light of the pressing shortage of occupational therapists in our communities, HPU's OTD Scholars Program is dedicated to training a cohort of 23 students, and the grant will help offset their program tuition. Through our specialized curriculum, immersive fieldwork education, and rigorous doctoral capstone experiences, we are committed to equipping our scholars with the expertise needed to serve children with disabilities with high-intensity needs. Our program aims to address critical needs while empowering future occupational therapists to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve," said Catalino.

Led by HPU OT faculty members Jana Cason, DHSc, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA, Cindy Sears, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, and Patty Coker-Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA, who are recognized for their expertise in pediatric occupational therapy, the OTD Scholars Program specifically aims to enhance the workforce of occupational therapists in the state. A comprehensive evaluation will measure outcomes to ensure the OTD Scholars Program increases the number of OTs serving children with disabilities with high-intensity needs in Hawai‘i.

Sears stated, “The occupational therapy program’s mission centers on developing globally responsive, culturally diverse occupational therapy leaders who use their expertise to address the complex needs of people and society. This grant will offer student scholars the opportunity for advanced training and critical skills development to serve families of children with high-intensity needs, which becomes an investment in the future health and well-being of communities that need it most.”

Coker-Bolt said, “We are excited to provide this unique learning opportunity for our students, and we look forward to working collaboratively with our community partners to increase access to essential therapy services in Hawai’i.” 

Cason remarked that “Providers of early intervention services work in interprofessional teams. At HPU, we are intentionally creating opportunities for interprofessional learning within the OTD Scholars Program. This includes two seminar courses shared with physical therapy students from the HPU PT Scholars Program. These experiences will prepare students to work collaboratively in interprofessional teams, serving young children with disabilities who have high-intensity needs.”

HPU welcomed its inaugural cohort of OTD students in January 2024 at its Honolulu campus. Notably, the HPU Honolulu program stands as the pioneering and sole entry-level occupational therapy doctoral program in Hawai‘i. The doctoral program spans 24 months and is delivered via an innovative hybrid learning format, offering students the flexibility to reside anywhere in the country while participating in lab immersions at the Honolulu campus.

HPU’s OTD program offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a simulation center and real-life apartment space, providing an immersive and comprehensive educational experience. The program offers interprofessional collaboration with other health disciplines and unique community partnerships that enrich student learning and cultural immersion.  

For more information, and to apply, go to: www.hpu.edu/otd.