(Vemillon, OH-November 3, 2005) Barbara J. Conrad researcher at Speech-Language Supervisor with the Northern Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center in Vermillion will be awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation the Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for Contribution in the Schools during the 2005 Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), November 18-20 in San Diego, CA. The Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for Contribution in the Schools recognizes the outstanding commitment and contribution to service delivery in the schools.
Barbara J. Conrad is being honored for her innovative role in retaining and recruiting speech-language pathologists to work in Ohio's schools. Her leadership was pivotal in the development of the Ohio Master's Network Initiative in program, which provides distance learning opportunities for bachelor's level speech-language pathologists and audiologists to complete necessary graduate coursework for employment in school settings. To date, 58 school-based professionals have received Master's degrees and Ohio Board licenses now required for practice in the schools, and 240 students from across the country are presently enrolled in the distance learning program. She expanded with follow-up activities, such as tuition reimbursement for licensed professionals studying to obtain the educational credential and a statewide recruiting campaign targeting future professionals. The campaign entitled, "Don't Miss the Buss: Communication Happens in Schools, features DVD and promotional materials targeting high school and non-major college students. Ms. Conrad is commended for her vision, skill and dedication providing Ohio with long-tem solutions to school personnel shortage in the professions and a replicable model for other states to follow.
The annual ASHA convention is the most comprehensive development conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. It features more than 1,500 educational sessions that highlight the latest developments in research and clinical practices for professionals who provide services in schools, hospitals, health care centers, rehabilitation clinics, and other practice settings.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation is a charitable organization working to promote a better quality of life for children and adults with communication disorders. Its mission is to advance knowledge about the causes and treatment of hearing, speech, and language problems. The ASHFoundation raises funds from individuals, corporations, and organizations to support research, graduate education, and special projects that foster discovery and innovation in the field of communication sciences.
The ASHFoundation is affiliated with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 120,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders
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