Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy Program Benefits Conestoga Valley School District Community

Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Diane Martin recently partnered with a group of Etown Occupational Therapy graduate students to assist the community organization Conestoga Valley (CV) SEEDS.

“Partnerships like these extend the influence of occupational therapy beyond its traditional clinical and educational roles, highlighting the profession’s significance in various community settings,” Martin said. “Through participation in these collaborations, occupational therapy gains greater visibility and recognition as an essential contributor to individuals and communities, while also equipping students to become future leaders adept at addressing real-world challenges.”

CV SEEDS is a nonprofit organization in the nearby Conestoga Valley School District, aimed at providing social services like health, housing, and education to marginalized families in the district. Martin is the vice president of the Conestoga Valley School Board, which partners with CV SEEDS, and realized that occupational therapy could have a positive impact on the population that SEEDS serves.

After connecting with CV SEEDS to explore a partnership, Martin developed a six-week early intervention program to support the development of school readiness, healthy play, and community engagement for families and those facing socioeconomic challenges. The playgroup was facilitated by a group of four Etown Occupational Therapy graduate students and aimed to provide children with opportunities to develop essential skills in a supportive environment.

Etown students who participated all graduated from the College in 2024 with their undergraduate degrees and are currently pursuing their graduate degrees in Occupational Therapy at Etown. The students, Erin Miller ’24, MSOT ’25, Sadie Forbes ’24, MSOT ’25, Kerrigan Surles ’24, MSOT ’25, and Nicole Ringwald ’24, OTD ’26 will present research based on the playgroup at the Occupational Therapy Graduate Research Symposium, as part of the Elizabethtown College Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD).

“From an occupational therapy standpoint, it is important to serve this community because we believe in occupational justice,” Miller said. “This means that individuals have the right to engage in daily occupation regardless of social class, ethnicity, or other differences.”

Martin worked with pediatric occupational therapist and Co-owner/Executive Director of Connections Early Intervention and Support Liz Jones on the playgroup. The two led the playgroups, while Etown graduate students helped to facilitate.

Activities in the playgroup focused on promoting social, emotional, and physical development through the occupation of play, fostering a sense of community with the families, and enhancing the children’s readiness for school.

“The partnership strengthens both the OT program and the community, creating a positive cycle of learning, service, and impact,” Martin said. “Elizabethtown College students gain valuable professional experience while participants in the community gain access to essential services that promote their children’s development, empowerment, and long-term success.”

Martin plans to further Etown’s connections with CV SEEDS and Connections Early Intervention and Supports in York to provide two more groups facilitated by Etown Occupational Therapy students in the spring, focusing on leisure exploration with adolescents using a neurodiverse affirming approach and early intervention playgroup for marginalized families.

Elizabethtown College’s Occupational Therapy (OT) program is the second oldest accredited program in Pennsylvania, offering a combined undergraduate/graduate academic program in occupational therapy, which blends a liberal arts education with professional studies. Discover more.