how WE help

what is Oak and Unity?

“Oak and Unity was developed so care providers that serve the disabled community can have easier access to simple but effective occupational therapy-based strategies and resources.”

As an occupational therapist with more than 21 years of experience primarily working in schools, I’ve had the privilege of servicing thousands of amazing children at the elementary, middle and high school levels. But, I realized that regardless of the skills and knowledge I acquired, there had to be a more efficient way to make a larger impact. The Oak and Unity Program is the culmination of years of honing my professional craft and sharing my insights to help create an empowered community of like-minded people in order to better serve our disabled friends and family members.

what does Oak and Unity stand for?

“A couple of years ago, I started on an unexpected, but much needed path towards personal healing. It’s been a truly humbling experience and I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an incredible and supportive group of friends and family along the way. As someone that has always felt a deep connection with nature, I was pleasantly surprised to find an additional source of support from a local oak grove where I would go for therapy. The sunlight, shadows and twisted trunks of the oak trees create a tranquil and mindful experience. Each oak tree leaned and bent in their own unique way, eventually finding the sky. Collectively they created an amazing oak grove that provides safety and support for the local wildlife.

The oak tree symbolizes the challenging journey towards growth, stability and independence that we all experience in life. And, regardless of how circumstances push us in unexpected directions, with the right support we can still evolve in ways that are authentically our own. The Oak and Unity brand values the unique energy that we each have to offer, that our differences as individuals is our strength as a group, that growth is measured by the uplifting community we create, that guidance and empathy are a shared responsibility and the understanding that helping one person creates the momentum to potentially help many others.”

FIND THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

what strategies does The Oak and Unity Program emphasize?

The foundation of The Oak and Unity Program is built upon three simple, but extremely effective strategies that I’ve used successfully for over 2 decades and in thousands of therapy sessions with clients of all ages:

FILTER AND FIND. Effective support requires breaking down an activity into smaller parts to pinpoint the exact moment when the client begins to struggle. By identifying this critical point, attention can be immediately directed to provide support precisely when it is needed, without wasting precious time or energy. Failing to provide support at the right moment can be detrimental, but with this approach, clients receive timely and effective assistance to efficiently meet their goals.

PROMPT TO PROMOTE PROGRESS. Care providers utilize prompts such as physical, verbal, or visual cues to guide and support clients during an activity. While these cues are valuable, it's crucial to acknowledge their potential impact on clients and activity outcomes. To enhance care providers' understanding of this technique, The Oak and Unity Program provides training to optimize prompt usage and facilitate progress. This program equips care providers to use prompts effectively, ensuring a positive impact on clients and promote ongoing progress.

CUSTOMIZE WITH CARE. Maximizing client performance requires making changes within the activity, but it's crucial to understand the interplay between the client, activity, environment, and care provider. Changing a single variable can significantly impact all other variables, making this a complex concept to navigate. Fortunately, Oak and Unity's expert guidance and time-tested strategies can help you grasp this relationship and make well-informed decisions about which changes to make. With this comprehensive understanding, you'll feel confident and equipped to enhance your clients' performance and achieve the desired outcomes.

Although The Oak and Unity Program is user-friendly, mastering it requires practice, patience, and thoughtfulness. Nevertheless, Oak and Unity is committed to supporting individuals who want to improve their skills in assisting people with disabilities. As a group that shares a common goal, we aim to provide the necessary support for individuals as they learn to use this program effectively. Remember, helping one person creates the momentum to potentially help many others.