Bay Path Occupational Therapy Students Design Programs to Meet Community Needs

Second-year master's students explored how occupational therapy can support underserved populations through innovative, community-based programs.

Second-year master's students in Bay Path University's occupational therapy program recently presented projects designed to expand access to occupational therapy services in community settings. The annual presentations, held at the University's Philip H. Ryan Center in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, were part of the students' Practice Settings course.

Working in groups, students developed proposals for programs and facilities that would bring occupational therapy services beyond traditional hospital and care settings. Their projects focused on the needs of veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), young adults transitioning out of foster care, children with autism, and military spouses adjusting to frequent relocations.

Among the projects was Expressions of Me, a proposed program developed by students Alexxis Timms and Mackenzie King. Their concept uses art and visual expression to help participants develop emotional regulation skills.

“We were both paraprofessionals, and I definitely see myself going back into a school setting to work with children,” Timms said, reflecting on how her previous experience connects to her future career goals.

The presentations represent an important milestone in the students' education. After completing their final semester of classroom coursework, they will begin six months of full-time fieldwork, where they'll apply their knowledge and skills in professional practice settings.

Through projects like these, Bay Path occupational therapy students explore how their profession can address real-world challenges, support diverse populations, and create opportunities for greater participation in everyday life.