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Outreach

We've teamed up with partners to serve our community while providing our students important training opportunities.

We're committed to giving back in every way we can. Our outreach efforts provide much-needed services for our community and a vital practical experience for our students.

On-Campus Experiences

Students in the departments of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, and Hearing and Speech have the opportunity to gain experience at our on-campus clinic, JaySTART. A free, student-run outpatient clinic, JaySTART provides care for underserved patient populations and training experiences for KU students.

Community-Based Experiences

The following list is provided for reference only—all details are subject to change and all outreach efforts are managed in accordance with COVID-19 safety measures.

Community-based organization providing daytime classes and activities to support health, wellness and social participation of adults who have had a stroke. See more at americanstroke.org.

Locations:

  • Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, Mission, Kansas.
  • Kansas City North Community Center, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Longview, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Level I Fieldwork student involvement: Assist with activities to support social, physical, and emotional wellness. Participate in client evaluations. Collaborate with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, fitness personal trainers and other volunteers.

Population served: People who've had a stroke and family caregivers.

Challenges Handled And Mastered with Perserverence and Spunk (CHAMPS) Achievers is a 501(c)(3) community organization teaching martial arts and self-defense to children and adults having special needs. Started more than 30 years ago by Sensei Helen Dugan (6th dan, American Karate) with a talented group of martial arts practitioners from different disciplines, students of all ages and abilities are guided through physical and mental disciplines that also address growing self-esteem, self-control, and empathy for others.

Location: Kirmayer Fitness Center on the KU Medical Center campus, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.

Population served: Children and adults with special needs.

The Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center provides a comprehensive and inter-professional program to support individuals with progressive multiple sclerosis in living their best life. Members come to the center to participate in a broad range of activities in a group-based format. This intervention approach builds connection and support among the members and gives the opportunity to do targeted work, but is less costly than private therapy.

Location: KU Medical Center main campus, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.

Population served: People with multiple sclerosis.

Project Access is a community-based organization providing children with disabilities opportunities for learning dance and performing with a dance class.

Location: Starstruck Performing Arts Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Level I student activity: Assist dance instructor teaching dance and assist with performances.

Population served: Dance class for children and teens/adults with developmental disabilities.

The Sensory Supported Aquatics program teaches swimming and water safety to children with ASD, and was developed in collaboration with Autism Speaks. Instructors combine traditional Red Cross learn-to-swim methods with sensory strategies matched to the unique needs of each child. This placement begins the first week of September, with required training.

Location: Lenexa Recreation Center, Lenexa, Kansas.

Activity: Swimming and water safety instruction (assisting experienced instructors).

Population served: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders ages 4-17.

Provides fun, dynamic exhibits and programs that integrate the arts, sciences and literature for children eight years of age and younger, their parents and educators from across the Kansas City area.

Location: Shawnee, Kansas.

Level I student activity: Gain hands on experience creating and leading inclusive play and learning activities.

Population served: Young children and families in the Kansas City area.

"These experiences offered great skills to add to my resume to show I had some unique knowledge that most new graduates do not have. This is just one example in how taking advantage of your opportunities and partnering with your faculty can help boost your career."
KU School of Health Professions

Occupational Therapy Education
KU Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd  MS2003
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-7195 • 711 TTY