Files
Download Poster (855 KB)
Description
This capstone was completed with a Specialty Court program within Kentucky. The focus was education and advocacy for occupational therapy (OT) in a setting that currently lacks these services. The goals included identifying OT's role in substance use treatment, especially for justice-involved individuals and developing OT-informed resources to support holistic care and wellness.
Substance use negatively impacts personal, social, and occupational participation (Doğu & Özkan, 2023; Sadaqat et al., 2023). OT’s focus on quality of life is an approach shown to improve long-term outcomes. Lack of OT services in the project setting highlights a gap in holistic care for program participants. The project began with a needs assessment. Findings of the needs assessment informed the creation of a visual presentation on OT and wellness. After the presentation was given, participants completed a brief survey to assess presentation effectiveness. Deliverables included a wellness visual, goal-setting worksheet, and a community resource guide. The project emphasized the value of OT in nontraditional settings and how OT can contribute to recovery-focused programming through wellness and quality of life education. It revealed gaps in current program practices and sparked discussion about integrating OT principles into specialty courts. Additionally, the project fostered awareness of OT among stakeholders unfamiliar with the profession.
Graduation Date
2025
Keywords
substance use, occupational therapy and the justice system, occupational participation, mental health, community reintegration, occupational balance, wellness
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
Site Mentor
Judge Kimberly Winkenhofer Shumate
Comments
Link to presentation: https://youtu.be/Xy3dIAzH1fA