You’re mobilized and ready to advocate for academic physical therapy. ACAPT is strategically building our resources. Here are the next steps we have for you:
Data Collection Survey Coming Next Week
Next week, ACAPT will distribute a short and streamlined survey to gather the essential data needed for our January public comment letter. Most of the information requested can be pulled directly from your AAR, which should make this a quick and efficient process. Programs may also supplement with any additional reports that help present a clear picture of your program’s cost structure, outcomes, or student demographics.
To help you prepare, please plan to reference your AAR and have the following types of information readily accessible:
- Typical cost and pricing structures for DPT programs, including major cost drivers such as accreditation standards, facilities, clinical education requirements, and faculty ratios.
- Program outcomes and community impact metrics, including graduation rates, job placement, and service to rural or underserved communities.
- Student demographic information such as first-generation status, representation of underrepresented minorities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We will share the survey link and full instructions next week.
Create a Storytelling Video
We will soon launch a national storytelling campaign. Please begin planning a short video that highlights your program’s impact on your community, your students, and the health care workforce. We also encourage you to invite students to record brief videos sharing their own stories, why they chose physical therapy, and how this proposed change would affect them. More detailed prompts will be provided, and simple videos filmed on phones are welcome.
Begin Institutional Conversations
Use the one-page briefing document included with this message to begin updating your Institution’s President and other senior leaders (such as your Chief Financial Officers and Financial Aid teams) about the issue. This summary will help them quickly understand the proposed policy change, its potential consequences, and why immediate awareness is essential. If your institution serves rural or underserved communities, it is especially important to determine whether your President has strong relationships with your state senators. Early conversations supported by the one pager can build understanding of the harmful impacts of the RISE proposal and help secure institutional buy-in for future advocacy efforts.
Amplify the Message
Share information with faculty, alumni, clinical partners, employers, students, and community leaders to raise awareness of the consequences of this regulation.
Be Ready to Act
Please watch for upcoming advocacy campaigns and be prepared to respond quickly to calls to action.
ACAPT has officially joined a coalition of 55 allied health organizations addressing this issue. We are working closely with APTQI, APTA, and are contacting key stakeholders to align our messaging and strengthen a unified national response. We are grateful for your partnership and your commitment to protecting the future of physical therapy education. Additional updates will be shared soon as this work continues.