Partnering for Change in Practice

In the Partnering for Change (P4C) model of service delivery, a rehabilitation professional has regular, dedicated time to support the whole school community. In the P4C research project, an occupational therapist (OT) delivered services one day per week at each participating school for two school years.

							P4C services are delivered in a timely way where the children are — in schools.
OT services are multifaceted and focused on the whole school, educator, and child.
P4C OTs collaborate closely with educators to facilitate participation of children with special needs.
Parents and educators can contact the P4C OT directly at the school to request services.

						

What Does the Therapist Do?: Occupational therapists work collaboratively as part of the school team with the school as “the client.”
Practice is Different in P4C: P4C uses a tiered approach; all children in the school are initially supported, with more intensive services being offered to the children most in need.
Role of the OT at Each Tier of the Model: Increasingly intensive services are added for children whose needs are not met through whole class strategies of differentiated instruction.
True Story: P4C Results in Student Success: The P4C occupational therapists provided varying levels of support for children and educators through the two years of service.