Amy Rich Crane, MSOT, OTR/L, BCP 

Dual Board Certification: Pediatrics

“Relationship-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Neuro-Affirming Feeding Therapy Approaches” a one-hour training that challenges behavioral feeding models and centers the child’s emotional safety, trust, arousal, oral-motor skill, and autonomy.  Learn starting blocks for essential MUST DOs and MUST NOT DOs that every therapist, educator, or healthcare provider should know to support meaningful progress without coercion and decreasing the potential for harm with the most at-risk children and youth. Grounded in current evidence, clinical experience, and the voices of those with lived experience, this combined approach to best practices will highlight how curiosity, connection, co-regulation, consent, and contextualization unlock true feeding success. You’ll leave with practical tools you can use immediately, plus clear next steps for advanced CEU trainings and mentorship—because in feeding therapy, safe and ethical growth happens together, not alone.

Diversity >>> Reach acknowledges, respects, and celebrates the differences and commonalities of all the children, families, employees, and communities we serve. We value the experiences of all, and in support of Reach's mission, will cultivate an environment that celebrates diversity by communicating respectfully and openly, while seeking opportunities to learn about and celebrate the diversity in one another. 

1 CEU is available after attending and completing the evaluation. 

Members are invited to join NHOTA Board Meetings, please email info@nhota.org for information or RSVP here to be sent a zoom invite.   Additions to the agenda must be sent 2 weeks prior to the event date for consideration. 

Restraint Reduction- A system wide approach

Date: Wednesday, December 10th Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (EST)

This one-hour session is designed for OTPs, students, and other healthcare professionals. We will explore the impact Occupational Therapy provides in reducing restraints within Mental /Behavioral Health Acute Care. 

In this presentation, you will:

• Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

  1. Analyze the Rationale: Identify and evaluate the core ethical, clinical, and economic arguments necessitating the reduction and elimination of seclusion and restraint in acute mental health settings.

  2. Describe Evidence-Based Models: Describe the key components of major restraint reduction frameworks, specifically the Six Core Strategies and the principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), and explain how they drive organizational change.

  3. Identify Prevention Tools: Explain the effective use of primary prevention tools, including verbal de-escalation techniques, sensory modulation interventions, and the integration of Peer Support Workers (PSWs), in managing acute behavioral crisis.

  4. Evaluate Impact and Outcomes: Evaluate the documented impact of restraint reduction on patient outcomes (e.g., psychological trauma, safety) and staff well-being (e.g., safety, morale, burnout).

  5. Integrate Patient Perspectives: Formulate strategies for incorporating the lived experience of patients into policy development and utilize systematic post-incident debriefing to prevent future coercive events.

  6. Recognize Systemic Factors: Discuss the critical role of organizational leadership, data-driven practices, and adequate workforce development in establishing and sustaining a restraint-free therapeutic culture.

Presented By: Lisa Kardos MS.OTR/L 

Lisa has worked in various mental health settings for 22 years. As an OT she leads with a holistic, sensory, and trauma informed care lense for all patients. She also focuses strongly on caregiver burnout and how to reduce/prevent healthcare provider stress through implementing system-wide practice guidelines.