Josh Stoudt’s “Servant Heart” and OT Skills Help North State Children

Through specialized occupational therapy, Josh Stoudt works with kids at all ages and stages of development.

“I wanted to do more,” Josh Stoudt recalls. Ten years into his career, Josh was ready for a change. Although his work with Far Northern Regional Center served many people dealing with disabilities, he felt distanced from the action and visible effects of working directly with people. “I decided I wanted to have a greater impact on people’s lives,” he says.

Before working at Far Northern, Josh had served in the army, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Chico State University, and worked as a substance abuse counselor. Wondering where to head next, Josh talked to friends and researched various opportunities. He eventually “stumbled upon occupational therapy (OT), which involves therapeutic use of everyday activities, or occupations, to treat the physical, mental, developmental, and emotional impairments that impact a person’s ability to perform day-to-day tasks.”

Occupational Therapy called to Josh

The hands-on, interdisciplinary nature of the work seemed to call to him. OT involves an understanding of physics, biomechanics, physiology, emotions, and problem-solving. In short, Josh says, “It encapsulates everything I wanted in a career.”

Getting into occupational therapy school can be as difficult and competitive as getting into medical school, but Josh applied to and was accepted at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA. He loved it immediately. “On our first day of class, when they began introducing us to the world of occupational therapy, I knew this was what I was meant to do,” he says.

Helping kids at all ages and stages of development

Today, Josh provides OT to more than 50 North State youth through California Children’s Services (CCS) in Redding, CA. As part of Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency’s Public Health department, CCS serves children, aged from birth to 21, who have disorders of the central or peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system relates to the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system relates to the muscle and sensory nerves. Such disorders may be genetic or trauma-induced, ranging from cerebral palsy to seizures, muscular dystrophy, second- and third-degree burns, paralysis, and more. Josh’s youngest clients include infants who need help developing their cheek and jaw muscles so they can nurse or bottle feed.

The goal at CCS is to “help kids at all ages and stages of development participate in activities typically-functioning children would do – toilet, dress, bathe, etc.,” Josh explains. “But most importantly we’re helping them with the ability to play because when they’re playing, they’re developing skills they’ll need for the future.”

The kids love him

Linda Singler, public health program manager for Shasta County Healthy and Human Services Agency, is one of Josh’s supervisors. “The kids love him,” Linda says. “He’s very kind and compassionate with the children, and has a great rapport with the parents.” Linda describes the incredible amount of thought and time Josh puts into his young clients’ treatment plans. “I’m always impressed with his can-do attitude, positive engagement, and sense of responsibility and caring,” Linda says. “He’s an amazing person.”

Josh’s wife, Megan Conn, says Josh’s “servant heart” extends well outside the workplace. She lists some of the many organizations Josh has volunteered for, including Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Catalyst Redding Young Professionals, and Redding Zen Center. Outside of organized community service, Josh is always ready to “hop in when needed, whether it’s helping a neighbor with yardwork, moving a heavy piece of furniture, or sharing extra food,” Megan says. “He is also deeply committed to donating blood, a habit he started while in the army over 25 years ago. I can’t imagine how many people he has helped by now through this selfless act.”

In their free time, Josh and Megan love taking their dog Sally hiking and stand-up paddle boarding. Josh also enjoys culinary creativity, relishing opportunities to try new cooking challenges. “I love cooking almost as much as I love to eat!” he jokes.

Influencing the community through his career

Josh has found a way to influence his community through his niche career. For those searching for their own niche ways to make a difference, Josh suggests “meditating deeply on what you are good at and also enjoy doing, and then start looking for opportunities that include those things.” If he could travel back in time, Josh would tell his younger self to “have more self-confidence” and to worry less. As he points out, “All the worrying you do doesn’t change anything.”

Unlike worry, Josh’s efforts with his clients, his coworkers, and his friends, family, neighbors, and community have indeed brought change. “Being able to see the impact our work has on North State families,” Josh reflects, “all the wonderful improvements the kids make physically and emotionally – that’s what really motivates me.”