New doors: a community program development model

SUMMARY The need to provide occupational therapy services across a continuum of care has stimulated interest in moving into community-based arenas of practice. Limited job opportunities and lack of awareness of the benefits of occupational therapy are common barriers to this movement. This case study illustrates the "New Doors Model" and describes how a partnership between the university, master clinicians, students, and community agencies can result in (1) expanding occupational therapy services to facilities that have not historically interacted with occupational therapy, (2) training occupational therapists and occupational therapy students, and (3) promoting employment of occupational therapists by community organizations, and (4) a scholarship of practice that studies and supports the development of occupation based practice in community settings. The New Doors Model begins with exposing new sites to occupational therapy through level I fieldwork, progressing to level II fieldwork, and ending with creation of permanent occupational therapy positions.