ASHA Strategic Plan

Issue F

First Quarter Progress Report (Januar-March, 2006)

ISSUE F: The expectation that people of all nations worldwide will have access to quality, culturally competent speech-language pathology and audiology programs and services to achieve optimum communication abilities across their lifespan, requires encouraging mutual international collaboration efforts to set standards for registration/credentialing for experts in communication sciences and disorders worldwide while respecting each nation's models of education and professional practice.

1^st Quarter Highlights

• Information on states that have licensure/certification reciprocity information is currently available on the ASHA Web site.
• ASHA continues to support passage of state legislation and adoption of local policies that provide a salary supplement for speech-language pathologists that have the Certificate of Clinical Competence via consultation, and distribution of advocacy materials. Three states (AL, RI, and WV) have proposed bills to provide a salary supplement during this year's legislative session in their states.
• A Credentialing Communications Plan is being developed that will include "messages" regarding the value of ASHA's credentials.
• There is an application with instructions, FAQs, a fee schedule and journal selection form available on the ASHA Web site for use by individuals applying for recognition under the Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement.
• Information on the Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement is available to ASHA members via the ASHA Web site and it is also provided to individuals who contact the National Office.
• Met with representatives of Ireland and New Zealand and, other representatives of the Quadrilateral Agreement to discuss next steps and expectations related to participating in a mutual recognition agreement.
• Initiated a special project to collect information from other countries related to their educational requirements and credential/registration standards for speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

There are 8 strategies in the work plan for Issue F. Following is the status for the 1^st quarter.