State Loan Forgiveness Efforts
Increasingly, states are considering loan forgiveness or tuition reimbursement plans to attract qualified SLPs. Maryland passed legislation in 2005 that requires the state Higher Education Commission to award Economic Development Grants to eligible SLP applicants. Wyoming has legislation awaiting the governor's signature that would make SLPs eligible for loan repayment of up to $10,000 per year. Other states are considering similar measures.
Other State Financial Initiatives
California
Offers reduced interest rate or no-money-down mortgages on housing loans for SLPs who reside and teach in less desirable areas (contact Wanda Averhart-Collins at averhartcolllins@cs.com).
Connecticut
Hires retired SLPs to work in shortage areas while maintaining their last salary level and full pension for 1 year (renewable; contact Vernice Jury at vjury@earthlink.net).
Florida
Bank of America offers no-points fixed-rate mortgages to SLPs, known as "Educator Loans" (contact Debee Tanzer at dsnyut@worldnet.att.net). ASHA maintains a list of states that have passed salary supplement initiatives for school-based members. See ASHA's Salary Supplement Legislative Success Chart [PDF].
Maryland
Offers salary differential for certified SLPs willing to work in shortage areas (contact Pat Gager at patgager@hotmail.com).
North Dakota
Through plan called "My Community," offers reduced interest rate and no-money-down loans for persons in service professions including SLPs (contact Leisa Harmon at leisaharmon@minitstateu.edu).
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Education has implemented Project SLP-RRS: Speech-Language Pathologist Recruitment and Retention in Schools. The purpose of this project is to address the critical need for school-based speech-language pathologists in South Carolina. The initiatives include enhanced recruitment of SLPs who have a Master's degree from a state approved program, and to increase retention through improved working conditions in the school setting. Read more about the rationale, goals and activities of Project SLP-RRS: Speech-Language Pathologist Recruitment and Retention in Schools [PDF]. Contact Susan Floyd at: SWFloyd@sde.state.sc.us
Virginia
The Virginia State Department of Education (VDOE) offers financial incentives to recruit qualified speech-language pathologists to Virginia's public schools which include sign-on bonuses, tuition assistance and loan forgiveness. Some local school districts offer payment of ASHA dues, recognition of CCC-SLP, payment for continuing education workshops and conferences as well as relocation expenses and separate salary scales to attract speech-language pathologists. The VDOE also provides a free job listing service. For more information contact Marie Ireland: marie.ireland@doe.virginia.gov.
State Association Initiatives
Oregon
The Oregon Speech-Language-Hearing Association has established an ad hoc committee on shortages. The committee has reviewed literature on recruitment and retention of SLPs, published a survey on available distance education programs in the state, surveyed school districts to determine the extent of the shortage, and developed career fairs for SLPs at university training programs. It is also planning to develop a "grow your own" recruitment packet and foster a cooperative arrangement with Nova Southeastern University. For more information, contact John Tracy, john.tracy@salemhospital.org.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association is developing a six-part DVD to promote SLP practice in schools. It is intended for use at high school career fairs and in presentations to boards, regulatory agencies, and legislative committees. For more information, contact Meredith Boo, mereboo@comcast.net.
Under the 2006 ASHA Focused Initiative for Personnel Issues in Healthcare and Education, seven states were awarded an ASHA state association grant for maintenance of standards to address the personnel shortage issue in their state. Grants were awarded to the following states: Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. An additional strategy under the 2006 Focused Initiative is working with targeted states to develop state action plans to address personnel shortages. The targeted states are: New Hampshire, Idaho, Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia and Arizona. For additional information about these state efforts, contact the state association president.