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Description
My doctoral capstone was completed with Hope Therapy Center (HTC), a pediatric clinic in Da Nang, Vietnam that is part of a Christian-based nonprofit organization providing free therapy services to children with disabilities and their families. This project focused on the ACOTE areas of education and leadership. It was informed by a previous experience at HTC where I observed a need for additional staff education, caregiver support, and sustainable occupational therapy resources. Those observations guided the development of my capstone and helped ensure the project addressed the clinic's greatest needs.The purpose of this capstone was to strengthen staff knowledge of pediatric occupational therapy while supporting caregivers in carrying over therapeutic strategies at home. Throughout the project, I developed and presented educational trainings on topics including documentation, goal writing, caregiver education, sensory processing, and intervention strategies. I also created caregiver handouts, treatment resources, and a digital resource library with evidence-based materials that staff can continue to use. Additional recommendations were provided to improve clinic organization, enhance the sensory environment, and increase access to therapeutic equipment.The effectiveness of the project was evaluated through staff participation, implementation of the educational materials, and feedback regarding the usefulness of the resources. These outcomes demonstrated increased confidence in applying occupational therapy principles and reinforced the value of providing sustainable educational resources. The project addressed needs identified through the initial needs assessment by improving access to practical tools, supporting caregiver involvement, and increasing staff knowledge to better serve children and families.This capstone strengthened the ongoing partnership between Eastern Kentucky University and Hope Therapy Center while demonstrating leadership through collaboration, education, problem-solving, and the development of sustainable resources. The project advanced occupational therapy by promoting evidence-based pediatric practice, supporting culturally responsive care, and increasing access to occupational therapy knowledge in an emerging practice setting. By equipping staff and caregivers with practical resources they can continue using beyond the completion of the capstone, this project established a foundation for continued collaboration with future Eastern Kentucky University occupational therapy doctoral students and contributed to long-term support for children and families served by HTC.
Graduation Date
2026
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Book
Site Mentor
Caroline Mrowiec MS, OTR/L & Aspen Reeves OTD, OTR/L
Comments
Link to Presentation: https://youtu.be/eyNofv14cwU