This doctoral capstone aimed to create and implement a 4-week program of workshop sessions targeting fostered youth served under a behavioral foster care service to propose the inclusion of an occupational therapist (OT) at the capstone site.
Student name: Rene Martin
Name of Mentor: Emma Cummings, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
School: Lincoln Memorial University
Capstone setting: Helen Ross McNabb Therapeutic Foster Care
Virtual / In-person / Hybrid: In-Person
Capstone Objectives: This doctoral capstone aimed to create and implement a 4-week program of workshop sessions targeting fostered youth served under a behavioral foster care service to propose the inclusion of an occupational therapist (OT) at the capstone site. This program advocated to explore the implications of OT-driven services for fostered youth in improving independent living skills, self-care, and emotional regulation.
Method/Design/Approach: A mixed-methods approach was used, with quantitative data being collected using the DLA-20 assessment and pre/post-surveys and qualitative feedback was gathered from participant reflections and interprofessional team input. The project was implemented over five phases, including orientation, preparation, program implementation, evaluation, and dissemination; the 4-week workshops addressed: personal hygiene/ADLs, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and sensory exploration.
Results/Outcomes: Improvement in DLA-20 scores ranged from 6% to 36%, with significant progress in areas like personal hygiene, coping skills, and emotional regulation. Participants developed better self-care routines, learned emotional regulation strategies, and improved sensory awareness.
Conclusions: The project highlighted the efficacy of OT interventions in addressing the unique needs of fostered youth. Workshops increased participants’ independence, confidence, and occupational engagement, laying the groundwork for advocating for full-time OT roles in foster care settings.
2-3 ideas for future directions to build on on this project:
- Expand the program to include a larger sample size for broader generalizability.
- Collaborate with additional stakeholders to integrate OT services permanently into foster care systems.
- Develop advanced training modules for interprofessional teams to enhance trauma-informed care delivery.
Reflections on how you see this project influencing your OT career trajectory:
This project reinforced the critical role of occupational therapy in underserved populations and the potential for OT to address systemic challenges in foster care. It underscored the importance of holistic, client-centered approaches and advocacy for marginalized groups. These experiences will guide future career endeavors in program development, trauma-informed care, and policy advocacy.