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ASHA's 2001 - 2003 Focused Initiatives: Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Populations | School-Based Programs and Services | Use of Web-based and Advanced Technology | Health Care Reimbursement
Following is the final cumulative report on the accomplishments related to the Focused Initiatives for 2001-2003. The cumulative report focuses on the products that were developed and are available for use by ASHA members via the ASHA Web-site or by purchase from ASHA. An archive of materials from our Focused Initiatives for 2001 - 2003; the associated work plans for 2001, 2002, and 2003; and progress reports for each year are available.
For additional information related to the ASHA Focused Initiatives, contact Stan Dublinske, Senior Advisor for Planning at sdublinske@asha.org.
Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Populations
ISSUE: Demographic and caseload changes related to culturally/linguistically diverse populations require the acquisition of knowledge and skills by ASHA members to meet the needs of these groups, the provision of additional and improved services to these populations, and an ASHA membership that reflects the culturally diverse groups in society.
OUTCOME 1: Increase the number of racial/ethnic minority members of ASHA.
Accomplishments 2001-2003
- Send a Message Kit to provide faculty with quality materials for recruitment of racial/ethnic minorities.
- Distributed book covers to promote the professions to high school students from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Implemented the Pathways to Success Mentoring Program for minority.
- Translated the ASHA Brochure How Does Your Child Hear and Talk into Spanish and Chinese.
- Updated the Social Dialects Position Paper.
- Developed a Knowledge and Skills Document on Providing Culturally and Linguistically Competent Professional Services to All Clients/Patients.
- Developed document titled "Compendium of Exemplary Practices by Colleges and Universities in the Recruitment, Retention and Career Transition of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Professionals."
- Developed document titled "Exemplary Practices in Recruitment, Retention and Career Transition of Racial/Ethnic Minorities to Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)."
- Developed document titled "Minority Student Recruitment, Retention, and Career Transition Practices: A Review of the Literature."
- Developed ad campaigns targeting African American and Latino populations and disseminated print ads, web banner ads, and posters promoting the professions to targeted Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other selected colleges/universities with large African American and Latino populations.
- Developed an Online Mentoring Portal with the Minority Student Leaders that can now be used for other groups of students and new professionals.
- Developed a CD-ROM “how to” manual for dissemination to state associations indicating how to replicate the Minority Student Leadership Program at the state level.
OUTCOME 2: All ASHA members will have access to ASHA resources developed to facilitate the acquisition of cultural competency for increasing and improving service delivery to multicultural populations.
Accomplishments 2001-2003
- Developed web-based self-assessment tools for use by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to evaluate their cultural competence for providing clinical services.
- Translated the "Newborn Hearing Detection and Intervention," "Noise: Bad for your Hearing, Bad for Your Health," and "Hearing for a Lifetime" and "Communication for a Lifetime," brochures into Spanish.
- Sponsored a keynote speaker for the Schools Conference on "Cultural Humility: A New Approach for the Age of Cultural Competence."
- Developed a brochure on bilingual language development for parents/consumers entitled "Learning Two Languages" and "El Nino and El Bilinguismo" that is available in English and Spanish.
- Developed a CD-ROM titled "African American English: Structure and Clinical Implications."
- Developed a self-study instructional videotape on "Cultural Competence in Audiology Practice."
- Developed a self-study instructional videotape on "Working with Interpreters to Serve Bilingual Children and Families"
- Developed a self-study instructional videotape on “Assessment of Bilingual Learners: Language Difference or Disorder?"
- Developed a module focusing on multicultural infusion in academia that has been included in the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) Site Visitor update/calibration meetings and training manual.
- Compiled data on phonological and syntactic structure for 7 foreign languages, including Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), Vietnamese, Hmong, Arabic, Korean, and Bosnian, for use in developing technical assistance material for ASHA members.
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School-Based Programs and Services
ISSUE: A full scale, multi-faceted approach at the federal, state and local levels is needed to address ASHA member concerns indicating that many service programs in the schools require caseloads for speech-language pathologists and audiologists that are too high in number to provide quality services, that salaries are not commensurate with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to provide quality services, and that many state and local policies impede the ability of speech-language pathologists and audiologists to provide quality services in the schools.
OUTCOME 1: Increase the number of states that use total workload time activities, including but not limited to IEP meetings, administrative tasks, diagnostic time, paperwork, consultation, planning time, and frequency and duration of direct clinical service to determine the number of cases that can be adequately and appropriately served.
OUTCOME 2: Increase the number of states that link the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence through legislation and regulation as a means for salary increases for school-based ASHA members.
OUTCOME 3: All school-based ASHA members will have access to information about evidence-based practice related to provision of quality services and access to ASHA products, information, and activities necessary for full implementation of IDEA.
Accomplishments 2001-2003
- A State Education Action Team (SEAT) was established consisting of two staff—one in the School Services unit and one in the Governmental Relations and Public Policy unit. The SEAT provided professional consultation, developed materials, and assisted state speech-language-hearing associations in advocating for salary supplements, reduced caseload size, and initiating grassroots advocacy activities.
- Grants in an amount from $3-10,000 were provided to the following state speech-language-hearing associations to assist them in advocating for and implementing ASHA practice policy related to caseload/workload and ASHA’s state legislative and regulatory agenda related to obtaining salary supplements: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- The State Education Action Team worked with the following states on initiative related to obtaining salary supplements, caseload size reduction, and providing grassroots advocacy: Kansas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- Developed a Technical Report, Position Statement, and Guidelines related to A Workload Analysis Approach for Establishing Speech-Language Caseload Standards in the Schools.
- Developed a video and audio enhanced Web-based document on successful, member initiated, advocacy initiatives.
- Supported the State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) network by holding conferences calls to discuss IDEA reauthorization, Medicaid billing, caseload/workload, salary supplements, and reimbursement opportunities.
- Provided information related to the ASHA document, A Workload Analysis for Establishing Speech-Language Caseload Standards in the Schools via presentations made at meetings in the following states---Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, presentations were made at the Council for State Association Presidents, the ASHA Schools Conference, and an ASHA teleweb seminar was held.
- Obtained member input to define and clarify barriers and challenges in urban and rural settings related to caseloads, salary supplements, and implementation.
- Initiated/maintained liaisons with other national organizations including the: National Education Association (NEA), National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) Voices, a parent group; Center for Personnel Studies in Special Education (COPSSE), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Center for Educational Outcomes (NCEO), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA).
- Developed a Web-based guide, Advocating for Higher Salaries and Extra Benefits From Your Local School District.
- Developed a guide, Advocacy in Action: A State Model for Change.
- Published article on the workload approach to establishing caseload in Seminars in Language.
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Use of Web-based and Advanced Technology
Web Portal
ISSUE: ASHA and its members need to improve their use of Web-based and advanced technology to enhance the provision of personnel preparation, provision of clinical services including telepractices, and program administration and to provide value-added programs and services for members, consumers, and the public by making available general and customized knowledge, information, e-commerce, and advanced electronic communication capability.
OUTCOME: ASHA’s Web site will be recognized as the national and international portal for obtaining knowledge, information, and other resources related to communication sciences and disorders, and speech, language, and hearing for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, hearing, and language scientists, consumers of service, and the general public.
Accomplishments 2001-2003
- Completed a redesign of both the consumer and professional ASHA Web sites based on an ASHA Web usability and accessibility study. The design increased the ability of members to locate information via the navigation system and dramatically increased the overall accessibility of the Web site for those who use assistive technology such as screen readers. The new design also enhanced the perceived value of ASHA membership by grouping all member-only content in a single, easily identified member-only area.
- Deployed a new Web site search engine that provides support for integration of the ASHA thesaurus and allows for fine tuning of search results for improved results when Web site users search for information.
- Increased consumer and professional content available on the Web site including ASHA journal articles.
- Received recognition for Web site excellence including: Association Trends, a weekly association trade publication, recognized ASHA's web site as the Best Association Web Site in 2002; The Society of National Association Publishers (SNAP) gave ASHA a total of five medals in the 2002 and 2003 Excel Awards program for excellence in design, members-only area, in-house electronic advertisements, and editorial content.
- Conducted a record-setting online forum Q&A on the topic of Oral Motor Treatment in September. Six special interest divisions participated in developing and hosting the event. This event generated the highest level of traffic in the ASHA member forums ever recorded.
Telepractices
ISSUE: ASHA and its members need to improve their use of Web-based and advanced technology to enhance the provision of personnel preparation, provision of clinical services including telepractices, and program administration and to provide value-added programs and services for members, consumers, and the public by making available general and customized knowledge, information, e-commerce, and advanced electronic communication capability.
OUTCOME: All ASHA members will have increased knowledge and access to ASHA products, information, and activities related to the use of telepractices in the delivery of clinical services in audiology and speech-language pathology.
Accomplishments 2001-2003
- Developed, fielded, and analyzed a telepractices survey that gathered substantial baseline data to compare to telepractices data obtained from the most recent Omnibus surveys.
- Developed, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, a Web-based curriculum module on telepractices for use by practitioners to provide information on the use of telepractices in providing speech-language pathology and audiology services.
- Developed and implemented a Community of Practice on the ASHA Professional Web Portal to facilitate communication among members related to telepractice issues in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- Conducted a telephone seminar on “Telehealth Service Delivery in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology” in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Presented a seminar on telehealth in speech-language pathology and audiology at the meeting of the National Association for Home Care.
- Awarded three grants in the amount of $4000 each to the following organizations that have successfully implemented telehealth programs: Integras Health, Oklahoma City, Utah State University, and the Technology Access Foundation in Fargo, ND. Each organization is to develop materials that will showcase their telehealth program for ASHA members that wish to initiate a telehealth program.
- Established a Working Group on Telepractices to develop ASHA policy documents on telepractices.
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Health Care Reimbursement
ISSUE: Coverage rules and reimbursement rates are increasingly affecting access to, and scope of services provided by audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
OUTCOME 1: ASHA members will have access to information and tools to effectively negotiate with private health plans to ensure appropriate coverage criteria and equitable reimbursement rates.
Accomplishments 2003
- Developed an instructional module on how to advocate/negotiate for private health plan coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology services that was presented in the following states—Nebraska at the State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARS) “boot camp,” Florida, Hawaii, Wyoming and Oregon. A post-ASHA convention session will be held in Chicago.
- Update actuarial information regarding the per member, per month average costs for covering audiology and speech-language pathology services in health plans.
- Developed promotional information related specifically to reimbursement including existing ASHA/non-ASHA tools and resources related to private health plan coverage for speech- language pathology and audiology. The information will be placed on a new ASHA Web site on reimbursement (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, private payers, and coding) for access by members.
- Developed a system to track coverage and reimbursement policies of health plans, insurers and employers for use in developing a Healthcare Report Card.
- Developed the State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARS) network. 40 states plus the District of Columbia have appointed a representative. A reimbursement boot camp was held in May for the STARs. A listserv and community forum has been established.
- Developed 16 new and updated treatment efficacy fact sheets that are posted on the aSHA Web-site.
OUTCOME 2: Increased number of employers that cover comprehensive speech-language pathology and audiology services in their health benefits package.
Accomplishments 2003
- Developed a “how to” check list to encourage and help members approach their employers about including speech-language pathology /audiology services in their insurance coverage. The checklist is available to the membership through Action Center and on the ASHA Web site.
- Developed and sent letters and supporting documentation to 10 human resource organizations requesting better coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology in health benefits packages.
- Worked with the UAW on increasing coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology in their health benefits package prior to their negotiations with auto manufacturers.
- Developed the 2003 health plan report card that ranks 6 health plans in terms of their coverage of audiology and speech-language pathology services.
OUTCOME 3: Increased number of states introducing legislation that mandates appropriate coverage of audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Accomplishments 2003
- Developed model bills for mandated insurance coverage for hearing aids for children, mandated coverage of speech-language pathology and audiology services, and mandated offering of services.
- Exhibited at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures and promoted mandated speech, language, and hearing health benefits. Over 500 contacts on this topic were made.
- Attended the Council of State Governments meeting to promote mandated speech, language, and hearing health benefits.
- Awarded grants to four state speech-language-hearing associations to pursue passing of legislation to mandate insurance coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology services. Grants were awarded to Kansas-$7,000; Tennessee-$4,875; Florida-$4,400; and Virginia-$5,000.
OUTCOME 4: ASHA members will have access to information and tools to help them effectively navigate state funded insurance programs (e.g., Medicaid, CHIPs) at the state and local level to ensure appropriate coverage criteria and equitable reimbursement rates.
Accomplishments 2003
- Reviewed Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reports that continue to unearth problems during their ongoing investigations into school-based billing of Medicaid services. Based on the OIG findings, information needed by ASHA members will be prepared regarding Medicaid compliance.
- Prepared information on extant ASHA Medicaid resources for inclusion on the ASHA Web site related to reimbursement and developed a logo and slogan to use to market ASHA’s Medicaid resources.
For additional information related to the ASHA Focused Initiatives, contact Stan Dublinske, Senior Advisor for Planning at sdublinske@asha.org.
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