ASHA Strategic Plan

Issue C

Fourth Quarter (Final) Progress Report
October - December 2007

Facilitating Team Leaders: Lemmie McNeilly, Chief Staff Officer for Speech-Language Pathology and Vic Gladstone, Chief Staff Officer for Audiology

Issue C: A comprehensive scope of practice that includes all of the major components and new areas of practice in communication sciences and disorders enhances the visibility of the professions by consumers and stakeholders and their perceived value of the role of audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Outcome 1: Revised ASHA scopes of practice that includes all major component areas of communication sciences and disorders and new areas of practice.

Strategy

By April 1, 2007, the Professional Practices units will have peer reviewed the new scope of practice in speech-language pathology. [Completed]

Outcome 2: Increased number of practitioners who are involved in such areas as literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice.

Strategies

1. By December 31, 2007, the Health Care Services team in collaboration with the Survey and Information team will have developed questions for the Health Care survey to determine the number of practitioners who are involved in providing services related to wellness and prevention. [Completed]
2. By December 31, 2007, the Professional Practices units in collaboration with the ASHA Professional Development unit will have planned professional development activities related to the roles of speech-language pathologists and audiologists related to literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice. [Completed]
3. By December 31, 2007, the Professional Practices units will have disseminated ASHA resources to consumers and other professionals on the scope of practice in audiology and speech-language pathology and the role of the audiologist and speech-language pathologist in literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice. [Completed]
4. By December 31, 2007, the SLP unit in collaboration with OMA will have reviewed the literature and other sources of information to determine the requirements related to "corporate speech-language pathology" and the need for additional ASHA resources related to this area of practice. [Completed]
5. By December 31, 2007, the Professional Practices units will have continued development and dissemination of updated information to ASHA members on use of IDEA procedures for early intervening as it relates to literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice. [Completed]
6. By December 31, 2007, the Professional Practices units will have made resources related to literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice available to consumers and other professionals. [Completed]
7. By December 31, 2007, the Academic Affairs team will have promoted the availability of ASHA resources to all academic programs in CSD to foster acquisition of knowledge and skills in the areas of literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice as identified by the Professional Practices units. [Completed]

Outcome 3: Increased advocacy for and use of public and private reimbursement systems that enhance the ability of consumers to receive quality programs and services in all education and health practice settings.

Strategies

1. By December 31, 2007, the School Services team will have disseminated ASHA documents related to "under the direction of" to school-based members, program administrators, and policy makers to increase their awareness of how school-based speech-language pathologists who are providing services under the state Medicaid program should comply with the "under the direction of" Medicaid provision. [Completed]
2. By December 31, 2007, the Health Care Economics Advocacy team in collaboration with the Health Care Services team will have made resources available to ASHA members on documentation and billing for public and private reimbursement systems. [Completed]

Outcome 4: Increased perceived value by consumers, stakeholders, and colleagues in related professions of the services provided by audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Strategies

1. By June 30, 2007, the Professional Practices units in collaboration with the ASHA Web team will have updated the ASHA Web pages related to consumers. [Completed]
2. By December 31, 2007, the AUD unit will have worked with other national professional organizations and consumer groups interested in hearing health care to identify barriers to access to hearing health care. [Completed]
3. By December 31, 2007, the Health Care Services team, Schools Services team, AUD unit, and the State Advocacy team will have disseminated information to other national and state organizations and professionals on the role of the speech-language pathologist and audiologist related to telehealth/telepractice. [Completed]
4. By December 31, 2007, the SLP and AUD units will have submitted articles promoting the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology for publication in a variety of media including professional and trade journals of associations/organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities. [Completed]

Outcome 5: Increased knowledge of the scope of practice in communication sciences and disorders in other countries.

Strategies

1. By June 30, 2007, the Professional Practices units will have subscribed to professional journals from international organizations related to the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology. [Completed]
2. By December 31, 2007, the Special Interest Division and International Liaison unit will review and share information from the International Survey with appropriate Association Committees and National Office units, including information on telepractice and scope of practice. [Completed]
3. By December 31, 2007, selected members of the Professional Practices and SIDIL units and volunteer leaders will have participated in international meetings related to speech-language pathology. [Completed]
4. By December 31, 2007, selected members of the Professional Practices, Academic, Accreditation, Certifications, and Ethical Issues (AACEI), and SIDIL units and volunteer leaders will have explored opportunities to participate on international committees of other organizations and non-governmental organizations related to speech-language pathology and audiology. [Completed]

There are 18 strategies in the work plan for Issue C. Following is the status for the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th quarters.