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Abstract: Amend the Bylaws of ASHA to eliminate the accreditation of professional services programs and the Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
RESOLVED, That the current Bylaws of ASHA be amended as follows (parts in brackets are to be deleted):
Amend current Article 5.1 to be effective January 1, 2002, as follows:
5.1 Certification and Accreditation
The Association, by action of the Legislative Council, shall establish and maintain a program of certification according to standards specified by the Council on Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology [, a program of professional services accreditation according to standards specified by the Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology,] and a program of academic accreditation according to standards specified by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and shall maintain a registry of holders of certification and accreditation.
Amend current Article 5.3 to be effective January 1, 2002, as follows:
[5.3 Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
The Association shall establish the Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, which shall specify the standards for professional services accreditation and apply those standards in the accreditation of programs. The Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology shall have final authority to specify the standards and processes for professional services accreditation; and, subject to any authorized appeal, the decisions of the Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology concerning the award or denial of professional services accreditation shall be final.]
(Renumber current Sections 5.4 and 5.5 as Sections 5.3 and 5.4, respectively.)
RATIONALE: Professional services accreditation provides a mechanism for program accountability and verifies to the public that professional service programs meet rigorous national standards that define essential elements of service delivery for quality of care in audiology and speech-language-pathology. The majority of eligible speech-language pathology and audiology programs have not sought professional services accreditation. As of March 20, 2001, 264 programs are accredited. In 1995, a reduction in accreditation fees was not effective in generating increased numbers of applicant programs. In order to reduce operating costs, ASHA proposed alternative models for accrediting professional service delivery programs, including outsourcing the day-to-day operations. ASHA received no viable outsourcing proposals (see attached memo for chronology).
OUTCOME(S): Elimination of the professional services accreditation program and the Council on Professional Services Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CPSA).
BUDGET IMPACT: This resolution would result in revenue decreases of $142,500 and direct expense decreases of $273,185 for a net savings to the Association of $130,685.
PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT: If this resolution passes, ASHA will no longer accredit professional services programs or have a CPSA.
If the proposed resolution fails, ASHA will continue to have a professional services accreditation program and a CPSA.
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