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While completing their occupational therapy fieldwork at Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services in Elizabeth during the Spring 2021 Semester, students in Raritan Valley Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program recognized a way they could assist clients in need at the rehabilitation center.

The RVCC students launched an Access to Technology initiative to provide Bridgeway clients with the necessary technology to obtain rehabilitation services remotely during the pandemic. The students collected eight webcams, 10 desktop computers and one flat-screen TV to distribute to those in need.

“The management and leadership at Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services are very grateful to Beau Younker and the Raritan Valley Community College Occupational Therapy Department. The students began in an internship that led to much more than assisting people with managing devices and accessing low-cost cell and internet service. They held a drive, collecting and donating computers and webcams to the Partial Care program in Union County that would facilitate online treatment and group counseling. Many thanks to all involved for this valuable partnership,” said Lisa Giannascoli, Director of Marketing and Development, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services.

In 2018, RVCC became the only community college in New Jersey to offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree for an in-demand career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Occupational Therapy Assistants collaborate with Occupational Therapists to help people improve their functions so they can carry on daily life activities. They provide rehabilitative services to individuals with physical, emotional, mental or developmental impairments. From teaching a stroke victim to brush his teeth, to helping a child in a wheelchair navigate a school hallway, Occupational Therapy Assistants help people of all ages handle daily tasks and regain their independence.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program is designed for students interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation. It combines classroom instruction with clinical training in a community setting. The 67-credit program is designed to be completed in two years, with three semesters of full-time coursework and one semester of full-time, 40-hours-per-week fieldwork. Federal and state financial aid options are available for students enrolled in the program.

In order to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, students must graduate from a program accredited by ACOTE and successfully pass an exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Applications are now being accepted for the next class of the OTA program that starts in January 2022. For information about the program, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/occupational-therapy-assistant or contact Program Director Beau Younker, 908-526-1200, ext. 8416 or beau.younker@raritanval.edu.

Ranked by WalletHub.com, Intelligent.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2021

PR #2