(Rockville, MD - October 17, 2006) More than 60 leaders in the education and healthcare fields attended a forum sponsored by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in an attempt to tackle the problem of the shortages of speech-language pathologists. Participants met in Rockville, Maryland from September 28 through 30 to strategize solutions and develop action plans to take back to their communities. The group was diverse, with representation from university academic programs, school districts, state education agencies, health care facilities, government agencies, and recruitment agencies.
"Each contribution is important. Only by bringing a variety of stakeholder groups together to brainstorm ideas for solving the shortage problem can we adequately begin to solve it," says ASHA President Alex Johnson, Ph.D. He outlined some of the problems experienced by SLPs and the impact of the shortage on service delivery to people with communication disorders in his welcoming remarks. Johnson underscored the idea that there was a need to create an environment where people want to be successfully employed.
"The solutions are multifaceted and will take time," declared Lemmietta McNeilly, PhD, CCC-SLP, Chief Staff Officer, Speech-Language Pathology for ASHA. McNeilly opened the meeting with a powerful review of ASHA's previous attempts to address the personnel shortages. Those efforts include: 2005-2007 Focused Initiative Work Plans. "An array of solutions will be needed," McNeilly says, and "it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to address this need."
Presentations outlined comprehensive approaches to the shortages in schools in Ohio, Colorado, Texas, North Dakota and Oregon. Other sessions looked at the shortage issue in healthcare settings and in university and PhD programs. Participants also divided into groups to explore solutions and develop individual action plans.
Judging from the reaction of most participants, the meeting proved worthwhile.
"It was wonderful to be able to hear the different perspectives of the diverse participants. As always, I was impressed with the dedication, enthusiasm and commitment the ASHA members have for the profession!" remarked Deborah Adamczyk, M.A., C.C.C.-SLP, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"I think the examples of current initiatives, brainstorming, and strategizing provide us with ideas and support to go forward with our recruitment and retention initiatives, " states Susan W. Floyd, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Education Associate, Speech-Language & Assistive Technology Office of Exceptional Children South Carolina Department of Education.
ASHA national office staff will continue to monitor the issue and follow-up with participants in three to four months. Data, reports, and a summary of innovative programs can be found on the ASHA web site.
Editors Note: Interviews can be arranged on request. Photos of the conference are available.
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