Committees

Description and responsibilities: The Academic Liaison Committee (ALC) exists to maintain and increase student membership and involvement within APTA Wisconsin. Additionally, the ALC facilitates communication and relationships between APTA Wisconsin and the physical therapy and education programs in Wisconsin. A primary role of the ALC is to mentor, support and act as the Student SIG's liaison to APTA WI. The committee develops and promotes programs such as mentorship opportunities, different scholarships and networking events. Each year the ALC coordinates DPT/PTA program visits/presentations for all of the programs within the state.

Number of committee members and term length: Currently 6 members but more are welcome. Currently there is no term length.

Meetings - frequency and time commitment: Variable. Chair attends BOD meetings 4x year and the Spring and Fall Conferences. The chair regularly attends/participates in the SSIG BOD meetings. Members are encouraged to attend the Spring and Fall Conferences in addition to doing at least one DPT/PTA program visit/presentation a year. Time commitment varies from a few hours per year contributing ideas over email/text to several hours per month if more involved with different programs.

More Information:

• Graduating Student Scholarship
• Mentorship Opportunities
• APTA WI Emerging Leader Award

Recognize the accomplishments and contributions of APTA Wisconsin members . Full Award Details and Nomination can be found here.

facilitate and coordinate bylaw revisions at the district and chapter level

Description and responsibilities: The Finance Committee is composed of voting members of the APTA Wisconsin BOD and the primary function is to prepare annual budget, monitor chapter expenditures throughout the year, and recommend appropriate financial strategies to the BOD. Members of the Finance Committee work with individual committees to develop budgets based upon priorities determined through BOD motions and the strategic planning process. The Treasurer represents the Finance Committee at APTA WI BOD meetings and APTA Wisconsin conferences, presents the annual  budget to the APTA Wisconsin BOD for approval and presents the budget to membership at the Fall Business Meeting. Coordinate with APTA Wisconsin financial advisor in monitoring investments

Current chair: APTA WI Treasurer
Number of committee members and term length: 10 (3 Directors, 6 District Chairs, Treasurer) & Executive Director. Term length is based on elected term of office.

Meetings - frequency and time commitment: Variable based on APTA WI BOD initiatives. Scheduled 1-2 teleconference(s) each fall with 8-12 hours of time devoted to call, call prep and interacting with assigned committees.

Description and responsibilities: The H&WC of APTA Wisconsin values the health and wellness of the citizens of Wisconsin and supports wellness program initiatives led by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

The H&WC seeks the assistance of its membership for grassroots initiatives to promote physical activity in the citizens of Wisconsin. The H&WC supports APTA Policies on Health, Wellness and Fitness, and the federal (Healthy People 2020) and Wisconsin (Healthiest WI 2020) blueprints on health promotion and wellness.

http://www.apta.org/PreventionWellness/Policies/

https://www.healthypeople.gov/ http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hw2020/index.htm

Each year we have a wellness promotion theme that we try to advocate at each district across the state. As such we need local district champions to support these initiatives and implement them in their districts.

Number of committee members and term length: Goal: at least 1 H&WC champion per the 6 statewide districts to assist the H&WC Co-chairs in promoting state-wide initiatives.  More members and initiative ideas always welcome. Term: 1-2 years

Meetings - frequency and time commitment: Chairs attend APTA WI BOD meetings (4 per year) & strategic planning. Committee members need to comprehend the mission of the yearly H&W Initiative. This information can be disseminated electronically of via conference call.

The JEDI Committee works to promote inclusive practices, equitable opportunities, and supportive professional environments for all members of the physical therapy profession. The committee provides guidance, resources, and programming to foster a welcoming community for students and professionals alike.

https://aptawi.org/sdoh/

Function: Identify members who have leadership growth aspirations and who demonstrate future or continued leadership potential. Assist these members with their leadership growth aspirations by assisting them in finding programs/courses within the APTA network that will advance their leadership skills.

Activities related to committee function:

• Mentor leadership members through a Leadership Development Network within APTA Wisconsin.
• Work with the Nominating Committee to match members with leadership goals to potential positions within APTA Wisconsin.
• Create and host leadership development opportunities for APTA Wisconsin (conference course/workshops/recordings/webinars).
• Foster leadership mentorship within APTA Wisconsin.
• Create a micro website within aptawi.org that lists opportunities for leadership development.

Facilitate member recruitment and retention

Description and responsibilities: To identify emerging and current leaders in our chapter. To accept and process nominations for annual APTA Wisconsin election. To provide candidate questions and consent to serve documentation to candidates. To provide information to members regarding open positions and position descriptions to those interested in serving. To attend approximately 5 committee meetings via phone or video conference to put forth a slate of candidate slates to the executive director.

Meetings - frequency and time commitment: Variable. Approximately 5 phone or video conference meetings lasting 1-1.5 hours in length over 5 consecutive months leading up to fall election. Chair responsible for organizing meetings, completing meeting minutes, and finalizing candidate information/communication prior to election.

Description and responsibilities:
Strategic:

• Participate actively in meetings with the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors
• Attend & contribute to the APTA Wisconsin's Annual Strategic Planning Meeting
• Develop goals and objectives in support of the APTA Wisconsin Strategic Plan
• Achieve identified strategic initiatives within defined timeframes
• Updating the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors (and members) on policy changes that impact payment of physical therapist services in Wisconsin
• Collaborate with the APTA Wisconsin Practice Committee, Autonomous Practice Committee, and New Models of Care Committee to promote direct access and other models of physical therapist services across all settings to relevant stakeholders

Member Education:

•  Offering education to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants using a variety of educational delivery methods to support physical therapist compliance and optimal payment
• Investing in on-going learning to support contemporary knowledge of all relevant issues that impact payment for physical therapist services to enable education of membership.
• Availability to provide or facilitate the provision of a State Conference presentation annually including assisting the APTA Wisconsin identify national speakers and/or resources every other year to facilitate Member education on payment policy
• Preparation & presentation of payment issues at the Hot Topics portion of State Conferences
• On-site trainings to include 2 Districts/year
• Webinar Trainings to include 4/year
• Written education & information ensuring the timely dissemination of information to APTA Wisconsin members on the payment of physical therapist services via:
• PT Connections every issue
• E-News as needed
• E-mail Blasts as needed
• APTA Wisconsin Website postings & updates
• Availability to research & provide information, references & resources to members on Payment issues via e-mail, phone, in-person inquiry.
• Active outreach to provide lectures to Wisconsin-based Physical Therapist Programs

Representation, Education & Advocacy to Third-Party Payers

• Providing education and consultation as well as advocating to payers to support their understanding and ability to assess and make decisions on medical necessity and skilled care as well as payment for physical therapist services
• Advocating for payment for physical therapist services with legislators, policy makers, and other stakeholders across a broad range of practice areas and payment sources, including (but not limited to) Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation, and commercial insurance
• Attend applicable payer and other stakeholder meetings (WI Workers' Compensation Advisory Meeting, WI Department of Work Force Development Advisory Committee Meetings, Anthem WI Provider Meetings, National Government Services Carrier Advisor Meetings, etc.)
• Coordinate an ad hoc Payment Panel & Task Forces as needed (WC, Wound Care, Dry Needling, etc.) to assist APTA Wisconsin and members with payment issues unique to certain practice settings, services and patient/client populations
• Leading the Medical Assistance Committee
• Representation of Physical Therapy Payment issues @ PT Legislative Day
• Holding a Payer Forum at least once every biennium or as recommended by APTA

Liaison to APTA on WI Payment Issues

• Attend the APTA Payment and Policy Forum & CSM Payment Meetings Annually to receive updates for WI, share WI ideas, accomplishments & Issues, seek other Payment connections through other components, sections & the APTA that can facilitate & inform WI on issues.
• Networking regularly with APTA payment staff as well as payment staff with other APTA chapters and sections on issues as they relate to Wisconsin Physical Therapy.

Reporting:

• Provide Quarterly Reports of Activities & Issues to Board @ each Board of Directors Meeting
• Providing an Annual Report of Activity to the APTA WI Board of Directors during the October board meeting at Fall Conference
• Provide Payment Updates to Membership @ Spring & Fall Meetings & the Legislative Day as requested.

Utilization Review:

• Facilitate APTA Wisconsin utilization review services upon request to third party payers as deemed appropriate and when NOT in competition with services already provided by APTA WI members

Current chair: Lynn Steffes PT, DPT
Number of committee members and term length: Varies
Meetings - frequency and time commitment:
WI Medicaid: 2 Members ongoing - 8-12 hours/year including interdisciplinary Conference Calls & approx 2 Madison Meetings
WI Workers Comp: 5 Members ongoing- 8-16 hours/year including Conference Calls, Policy Review, On-site Mtg representation in Madison
Payment Panel of Experts:
SNF- 4 hours/year including policy & procedure review, Q&A for Members
Acute Care- 4 hours/year including policy & procedure review, Q&A for Members
HH- 2 hours/year including policy & procedure review, Q&A for Members
Peds/B-3 /School-Based Services- 2 hours/year including policy & procedure review, Q&A for Members

Activities related to committee function: The Practice Committee serves APTA WI members and indirectly state of Wisconsin residents by promoting the highest standards of clinical practice. In collaboration with other APTA WI committees, the Practice Committee creates resources to advance physical therapist practice, working towards the goal of practicing at the highest levels of professional, jurisdictional and personal scopes of practice. The Practice committee provides APTA WI members information and guidance for practice standards, and State of Wisconsin Practice Act and Rules/Regulation questions that arise related to the delivery of care. The committee also contributes to APTA WI legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the profession and those we serve.

Committee Structure: The Practice Committee is led by co-chairs and groups of committee members are recruited based upon current APTA WI priorities. Two sub-committees currently exist to provide a forum for like-minded PTs and PTAs working towards advancing practice. The Early Access Sub-Committee is dedicated to advancing timely and unrestricted access to physical therapist services, particularly within emergency departments and urgent care settings and the Ultrasound Imaging Sub-Committee provides resources on ultrasound devices, educational opportunities, certification pathways, and appropriate use of this imaging modality.

Committee Function: The Practice Committee co-chairs frequently communicate as practice issues arise and meet monthly with the Practice Committee’s Sub-Committees. In addition, the co-chairs attend APTA WI Board of Director meetings and APTA WI conferences. Estimated total time involvement for co-chairs is 70-80 hours annually.

Activities related to committee function:

• Committee representative attends APTA WISCONSIN BOD meetings
• Committee representative attends APTA WISCONSIN conferences to promote practice issues
• Committee representative will be in communication with district chairs at least once per year.
• Work with LAC and Lobbyists to address legal issues affecting practice of physical therapy.
• Representative attends APTA WISCONSIN BOD meetings and Conferences.
• Answer member queries related to practice of PT in WI Collaborates with APTA WISCONSIN staff to maintain a practice FAQ section on the APTA WISCONSIN website.
• Keep abreast of changes in WI practice act requirements.
• Communicates with APTA WISCONSIN Payment Specialist (resource) on practice issues.

Promote physical therapy and APTA WisconsinI members to the public, other health care colleagues, and to members of APTA Wisconsin

Committee Description and Responsibilities/Purpose: The primary purpose of the Research Committee is to promote evidence-based practice in accordance with the APTA's Vision 2020. The committee works to disseminate research findings to the APTA Wisconsin membership by hosting an annual poster session at the Spring Conference. The posters cover a variety of topics and are presented by students, faculty members, clinicians, and residents. It is a very fun event and the number of submissions has continued to grow in recent years. In addition, committee members have also begun to publish brief articles in the PT Connections Newsletter. These articles are intended to encourage members to integrate best available evidence into their practice. Topics have ranged from providing tips for developing a successful journal club to highlighting resources to assist with evaluating research articles. In addition to these two specific endeavors, the committee works to support scholarly activity by our membership. This is an area that we are currently working on continuing to develop.

Number of Committee Members and Term Length: The Research Committee currently has two primary members, including the committee chair. However, individuals who are interested in helping to fulfill the mission of the committee are always needed. There is no specific term length.

Meetings – Frequency and Time Commitment: The Research Committee does not meet regularly. However, there are frequent e-mail exchanges among members before the Spring Conference. Also, the Chair of the Research Committee is present at the majority of the Board of Director meetings and is charged with providing updates of the committee's activity.

Function: To preserve and expand the practice of physical therapy to meet the needs of the people in Wisconsin.

Activities related to committee function:

• Coordinate with lobbyist to develop and utilize grassroots and key contact network in WI.
• Coordinate with lobbyist to provide opportunities for WI lawmakers to have contact with PT/PTAs.
• Organize and present at APTA Wisconsin's Legislative Day.
• Monitor legislation introduced by other groups that would impact on physical therapy, and recommend any appropriate action to the APTA Wisconsin Board.
• Present legislative initiatives to the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors.
• Attend important Senate/Assembly committee meetings as required and able
• Attend the APTA State Government Affairs forum and update BOD and membership on relevant discussion topics

WPT-PAC was formed to empower physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to be more involved in the determination of state laws and policies. APTA Wisconsin decided to create a mechanism that would allow the physical therapy profession to channel its financial and grassroots support to help ensure that Wisconsin's political leaders are aware of and responsive to the physical therapy profession's goals and viewpoints.

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