|
This is another in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director updates. These updates are intended to provide ASHA members with a more in-depth view of various National Office units, their key member services and the names and roles of ASHA staff in those units. Information about staff changes and ASHA National Office recognitions/awards is also included.
Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates (posted on the ASHA Web site) or suggestions for future ED updates.
This update focuses on the Surveys and Information Team (SIT).
SIT oversees, designs, and conducts survey and evaluation projects, focus groups, and other data-gathering efforts for ASHA boards, committees, councils, and National Office staff. The team generates the official membership and affiliation counts of the Association at year-end and conducts specialized statistical analyses of survey, membership, and external data to assist in Association policy and decision making. SIT also provides technical assistance to ASHA members, volunteer leaders, National Office staff, and external organizations on data-based resources.
Major Survey Projects
The team fields two major surveys each year, alternating between four target populations: audiologists, school-based speech-language pathologists, health care-based speech-language pathologists, and a rotating population (e.g. researchers). The purpose of the surveys is to collect and provide baseline data (e.g., employment, caseload, and salary data) on specific segments of the Association membership. Results of the surveys are presented in sets of reports, including the 2005 Health Care Survey Reports, 2005 Member Activity Programs (MAP) Survey Reports, 2006 Audiology Survey Reports, and 2006 Schools Survey Reports. Trend reports on specific topics (salaries, working conditions, etc.) also are prepared to compare and contrast data across years.
Other Survey and Evaluation Projects
The team conducts an additional 75 to100 survey and evaluation projects each year. The purpose of the projects is to collect and provide baseline and evaluative data: a) to support the development of strategic plans and work plans; b) in response to emerging issues in the professions, and; c) to monitor changes in the operation of the Association. The team also works on survey and evaluation components of grant projects awarded to the Association.
Focus Groups
At the request of National Office staff, the team conducts focus groups on specific topics related to the professions. Focus groups provide additional insight into the feelings, opinions, and perspectives of members on topics relevant to them.
Work Force Studies
The team identifies, compiles, and disseminates information on workforce/shortage issues and prepares workforce updates for the professions. Job market data are gathered from members through regularly scheduled surveys. These data, as well as related data and information from external sources (e.g., the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), are presented in annual workforce updates for the professions.
Member and Affiliation Counts
The team prepares summary tables and demographic profiles of the ASHA membership and affiliation at year-end. Trend analyses are conducted using these data to monitor changes in the composition of the membership and affiliation with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, employment characteristics, and other key variables.
Ongoing and Specialized Analyses
The team conducts specialized statistical analyses of survey, membership, and external (e.g., PRAXIS) data to assist in Association policy and decision making.
Technical Assistance
The team routinely and promptly responds to requests for data from members, volunteer leaders, National Office staff, and external organizations, such as the Council on Academic Accreditation. The majority of requests are for salary, caseload, employment, membership, and workforce data.
Gail Ghazzawi, Research Analyst/Technical Writer
gghazzawi@asha.org
Jeanette Janota, Senior Research Associate/Statistician
jjanota@asha.org
Mike Jeffries, Research Associate
mjeffries@asha.org
Sarah Slater, Director, Surveys and Information Team
sslater@asha.org
The team reports to Margaret Rogers, ASHA's Chief Staff Officer for Science and Research.
National Office Staff Updates
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since February 2007:
- Julia Casselle, Administrative Assistant
- Meg Duskin, Manager, ASHA E-commerce & Database Marketing
- David Higgins, Account Manager, Membership and Sales
- Carl Mack, Accounts Payable
- Shawn Montgomery, Information Resources Manager
The following individuals have left ASHA to pursue other opportunities:
- Leticia Azoro, Account Manager, Membership and Sales
- Brian Deenihan, Director, Assets and Corporate Partnerships
- Pat Hembree, (Retired) Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Susan Pilch, Director, State Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy
Recent ASHA and ASHA National Office/Staff Awards:
International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) - has appointed Jo Ann Janhunen Vice Chair of the Authorized Provider Commission. She will serve on the 5 person Commission leadership team and be involved in policy development and implementation of procedures impacting the Commission.
The Next Executive Director Update: Higher Education System
|