In Partnership with St. John Henry Newman Academy – San Antonio, Texas
Focused Area of Practice: Pediatric & School-Based Occupational Therapy
Program Length: 12 months • Format: Full-time, paid fellowship
Next Cohort (example):
- Start Date: September 1, 2026
- End Date: August 31, 2027
A post-professional fellowship for occupational therapy practitioners who want to develop advanced skills in pediatric and school-based practice while serving children and families in a mission-driven, community-centered environment.
Program Overview
The Williams Therapy Services Pediatric & School-Based Occupational Therapy Fellowship is a 12-month, post-professional training program designed for licensed or license-eligible occupational therapy practitioners.
Fellows receive intensive mentorship, advanced clinical education, and immersive experience across two primary environments:
- Outpatient pediatric therapy through Williams Therapy Services, Inc.
- Integrated school-based services at St. John Henry Newman Academy, a hybrid homeschool/traditional school model serving diverse learners, including children with special needs and accelerated learners.
The fellowship focuses on developing advanced practice in:
- Sensory processing and self-regulation
- Fine and visual-motor skills
- Functional school participation and academic support
- Executive function and attention
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with teachers, speech-language pathologists, and tutors
- Family-centered, community-based care
Program Goals
The fellowship is designed to:
- Develop advanced pediatric clinical skills in assessment, intervention, and clinical reasoning.
- Prepare fellows for school-based occupational therapy practice in hybrid, private, and alternative educational settings.
- Strengthen professional reasoning through structured mentorship, case discussions, and reflective practice.
- Build interprofessional collaboration skills with teachers, SLPs, tutors, and families.
- Cultivate leadership and advocacy for children and families who face barriers to accessing specialty care.
- Advance the mission of Williams Therapy Services by expanding high-quality, accessible pediatric OT services in the community.
Focused Area of Practice
This fellowship is explicitly focused on:
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy, with emphasis on:
- Sensory processing
- Motor development
- Functional school participation
- Activities of daily living for children
- School-Based Occupational Therapy, including:
- Classroom observation and push-in services
- Pull-out intervention
- Functional academic skills
- Environmental and task modification
- Collaboration with educators and caregivers
Program Structure
- Duration: 12 months
- Estimated Hours: 1,000+ hours of advanced, mentored practice
- Sites:
- Williams Therapy Services outpatient clinic(s)
- St. John Henry Newman Academy (school-based setting)
Mentorship
- Primary Mentor: Fellowship Program Director / Lead OT (on-site)
- Secondary Mentor: Experienced OT providing remote and/or supplemental supervision
- Interdisciplinary Support: On-site collaboration with speech-language pathologists, teachers, and tutors
Mentorship includes:
- Weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions
- Regular case review and treatment planning
- Direct observation and feedback
- Didactic sessions, journal clubs, and clinical reasoning labs
Fellowship Program Learning Objectives (FPLOs) – Snapshot
By the end of the 12 months, fellows will be able to:
- Complete comprehensive pediatric OT evaluations and develop evidence-based intervention plans.
- Implement school-based OT services that support participation, learning, and regulation.
- Integrate sensory, motor, and functional academic strategies into classroom and clinic environments.
- Effectively collaborate with teachers, SLPs, tutors, and families.
- Demonstrate advanced documentation, justification, and outcomes tracking.
- Advocate for children and families in clinical, educational, and community settings.
(A detailed FPLO list is provided to fellows upon acceptance.)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a licensed or license-eligible occupational therapist (OTR/L) in the state of Texas by the program start date.
- Have graduated from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program.
- Demonstrate strong interest in pediatric and/or school-based practice.
- Commit to the full 12 months of the fellowship.
- Meet all hiring requirements of Williams Therapy Services, Inc. (e.g., background check, health and immunization requirements, I-9 verification).
Preferred, but not required:
- Prior experience with pediatrics, school-based settings, or fieldwork in related areas.
- Interest in serving underserved or under-resourced communities.
Application Requirements
To apply, prospective fellows must submit:
- Online Application Form
- Current CV/Resume
- Personal Statement (1–2 pages) describing:
- Interest in pediatric and school-based OT
- Professional goals
- Alignment with the mission of Williams Therapy Services & St. John Henry Newman Academy
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation, preferably from:
- An academic instructor or fieldwork educator
- A supervisor or OT colleague familiar with the applicant’s clinical skills
- Unofficial or official graduate transcripts (may be requested at a later stage)
- Proof of eligibility for OT licensure in Texas (or current license)
Application Timeline
For the 2026–2027 cohort (example):
- Application Opens: March 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
- Interviews Conducted: July–August 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: By August 15, 2026
- Program Start Date: September 1, 2026
- Program End Date: August 31, 2027
Application Fee
- Application Fee:$0
- There is no application fee for this fellowship at this time.
Additional Fees for Accepted Fellows
- Additional required program fees:None
- Fellows are not required to pay program tuition or administrative fees.
- Fellows may be responsible for personal expenses such as transportation, housing, professional dues, or optional continuing education, as applicable.
Compensation and Benefits
Form of Compensation:
- Fellows are employed by Williams Therapy Services, Inc. and receive a salary for the duration of the program.
Example language (you can adjust):
Fellows receive a competitive salary commensurate with experience and in line with entry-level occupational therapy positions in the region. Specific salary information will be provided during the interview and offer process.
Benefits may include:
- Eligibility for health insurance (medical/dental/vision)
- Paid time off and holidays
- Access to internal and selected external continuing education
- Professional mentorship and supervision included at no cost to the fellow
Selection Process
The selection process is holistic and mission-aligned. It includes:
- Application Screening
- Review of CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation
- Confirmation of licensure or eligibility
- Interview Stage
- Virtual or in-person interview with program leadership and/or mentors
- Discussion of clinical reasoning, professional interests, and program fit
- Reference and Credential Verification
- Contact with listed references
- Verification of degree and eligibility for OT licensure in Texas
- Final Selection
- Applicants are selected based on clinical potential, alignment with the program mission, commitment to pediatric and school-based practice, and readiness for advanced training.
All candidates will be notified of their status by the published decision date.
Commitment to a Supportive Learning Environment
The fellowship is designed to support diverse learning styles and professional backgrounds. We strive to:
- Provide individualized mentorship and clear expectations.
- Create a psychologically safe environment where questions and reflection are encouraged.
- Promote equitable, inclusive practice with respect for all children, families, and team members.
- Support fellows in balancing growth, challenge, and self-care.
Williams Therapy Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Fellowship applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected status.
Program Contact
For questions or more information, please contact:
Fellowship Program Contact:
Erika Williams, OTR/L
Williams Therapy Services, Inc.
📧 Email: Erika@Williams-ST-Services.com
📞 Phone: 818-518-9709
Mailing Address:
Williams Therapy Services, Inc.
4800 Fredericksburg Rd. Ste. 127
San Antonio, TX 78229