The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) announced a partnership with the Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF). The Academy will provide administrative support to help OPAF serve those with physical and mobility challenges and raise public awareness of physical disability, limb loss, and limb difference.
Last May, the OPAF Board made the decision to halt fundraising requests and return all grant monies and First Clinic deposits until programming could resume after COVID-19. In July, the OPAF board of directors unanimously voted to enter a state of dormancy to reduce operating costs and allow the board to focus on restructuring.
“Many in the O&P community were deeply disturbed by the thought of there being no OPAF to serve the O&P patient population,” said Jared Howell, MS, CPO, FAAOP, Academy president. “The Academy is thrilled to support the OPAF mission as it positively impacts the lives of the patients, we as O&P practitioners serve.”
The partnership allows OPAF to remain as an independent 501(c)3, with a focus on fundraising and program development, while the Academy will help administer the day-to-day operations of the OPAF financials, marketing, events, and website. “On behalf of the OPAF board of directors, we are so excited to announce our partnership and bring our programming back to the communities that we serve. Since its inception, OPAF has served as the philanthropic arm of the orthotic and prosthetic community and we look forward to the expanded relationship with the Academy and the opportunities that it will bring. We are grateful for the support of all of our partners, instructors, and participants over the years and are thrilled for what the future holds,” said Travis Young, CPO, OPAF president
The organizations will begin working on the supporting architecture to have systems in place over the next few months.
