Welcome to ISTAR s Communication Improvement Program. CIP Information Package Contents

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1 Communication Improvement Program An Institute of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta Welcome to ISTAR s Communication Improvement Program. The Communication Improvement Program (CIP) was established in January 1988, under the direction of Dr. Helen Ilott of the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. The program shares facilities and staff with the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research, with which it is affiliated. All CIP staff are fully qualified speech-language pathologists. CIP Information Package Contents 1. CIP Application Process What is the CIP? Frequently Asked Questions Fee Schedule Policy on Fee Payment Opportunities for Financial Support ISTAR Staff Maps to Edmonton and Calgary Offices... 6 CIP Brochure Teen / Adult Application Form (separate download) Main Office Suite 1500, College Plaza Calgary Satellite Office #401 Hillhurst Building Street Street NW Edmonton, Alberta Calgary, Alberta Canada T6G 2C8 Canada T2N 2A1 Phone: Phone: Fax: Fax: istar@ualberta.ca ISTAR is a self-supporting unit of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta. Our charitable number is BN RR0001

2 CIP Application Process 1. Complete the application form on page 16 and mail, fax or it to ISTAR Edmonton. The application form contains our contact information. 2. An ISTAR speech-language pathologist will call you to schedule an assessment appointment. This usually happens within 10 business days of receiving your application. 3. At the end of the assessment appointment you will discuss therapy recommendations and options with your clinician. 2. What is the CIP? CIP offers three types of services: assessment and treatment of communication disorders; consultation and programming for people who wish to enhance their communication skills, and; the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program for family-centered early language intervention to parents and caregivers of young children. Assessment and treatment services are provided for adults and children with: language delay or disorders articulation problems (mispronunciations) voice problems communication difficulties caused by brain injury (e.g. aphasia, dysarthria) Communication enhancement services are provided for teens and adults in the areas of: accent reduction overall speaking effectiveness and/or voice use public speaking The Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program empowers parents and caregivers of young children to become the child s family language facilitator by promoting language development during everyday activities. The program recognizes: the importance of involving parents in their child s early language intervention the need to help children and families as early as possible that children benefit from the frequency and consistency of language intervention delivered in their home by their parent or caregiver 3. Frequently Asked Questions How long do I have to go for speech therapy? The answer is complex and can only be answered with a speech assessment. Some factors that affect the length of a speech therapy program include reason for needing speech therapy, age of individual and readiness for treatment. Is there funding available to help offset the cost of the assessment or therapy? There are a few options for funding - see page 5 for details.

3 - 3 - Does my work insurance plan cover speech therapy? Many insurance plans cover a portion of therapy fees. As insurance plans vary in coverage, check with your plan administrator to determine the type and extent of coverage. Fees are paid to ISTAR and then you apply for reimbursement from your insurance company. We provide a detailed statement to attach to your payment receipt. Do I need a doctor s referral? A referral is not required, you can contact ISTAR directly. If you want to claim speech therapy fees as a tax deduction for medical expenses, a letter from your family doctor is needed to attach to your taxes. Can I schedule an appointment and then complete the application form? Your assessment appointment will be booked after we have received a completed application form. Can I get speech therapy without an assessment? An assessment is a critical part of the therapy process, as it helps us determine the type of therapy that would best suit your needs. We base therapy recommendations and treatment plans on our observations and findings. Is there a waiting list? You can typically expect to schedule an assessment appointment within one month of receipt of the completed application form. Speech therapy is then scheduled to fit around your schedule and that of the clinician s. During peak periods, there may be a longer waiting time depending upon existing client load. Do I send my application form to Calgary or Edmonton? Application forms are sent to the Edmonton office; we will then determine what office will take the application. Can I speak with a speech-language pathologist (SLP)? Certainly! There are SLPs at both the Edmonton and Calgary offices. Contact the Edmonton office and we will arrange for someone to return your call and discuss your specific questions and concerns. 4. Fee Schedule Please call for current rates. Speech Therapy as a Tax Deduction Private speech therapy is tax deductible as a medical expense. A medical referral is needed. Keep your invoices and receipts as evidence of payment. Consult your tax adviser. 5. Policy on Fee Payment ISTAR is a self-supporting unit that receives no operational funding from the University of Alberta or government. We rely on clinic fees and donations to cover operating costs. We accept cheque, money order, debit, Visa and MasterCard for fee payments. Wire transfers are available for international clients. ISTAR operates on a fee-for-service basis. The session you are paying for includes the time and expertise of a speech-language pathologist during the session, as well as necessary preparation time, record keeping and processing. Fees are to be paid in full at the time of each appointment. In addition, fees are charged for reports and letters written on behalf of clients as well as NSF cheques.

4 - 4 - Our mandate is to help as many people as possible and we sometimes receive more applications than we can accommodate. Our services require that your clinician reserve a period of time exclusively for your benefit. We have therefore established the following policy regarding fee payment, cancellations and missed appointments that we believe is fair to you, the speech-language pathologist, and other clients who require appointments. Patients are billed 50% of the fee for sessions missed without 2 business days notice, except in the case of illness or emergency. This will not apply where medical reasons, emergency or accident make attendance impossible. If this is the case, please telephone us as soon as possible. Charges for missed appointments often cannot be submitted for health insurance reimbursement or to third-party funders. 6. Opportunities for Financial Support Fees for speech therapy at CIP are not covered by Alberta Health Care. However, other financial opportunities may be available as listed below. Private Group Insurance Many insurance plans cover portions of speech therapy fees. Check with your plan administrator to determine the type and amount of coverage you have. NOTE: Fees are paid to ISTAR and then you apply for reimbursement from your insurance company. Government Social Services has covered fees for some low-income families. Contact your regional office of Social Services if you think you may qualify. Family Support for Children with Disabilities may be able to provide Alberta children with costs associated with fees, travel, meals and lodging. Health and Welfare Canada may pay for First Nations Children of pre-school age. Alberta Human Resources and Employment / Disability Related Employment Supports Program may fund adults who are having difficulty finding employment. Funding for Students with Disabilities Students at post-secondary institutions may be eligible for special funding for speech therapy. Please check with your institution s office for Students with Disabilities. Le Fonds Bergeron-Gagnon Children attending French schools or pre-schools in Alberta may apply for funding for a speech assessment or therapy. Contact La Fondation franco-albertaine at prior to having a speech assessment to determine eligibility.

5 ISTAR Staff Deryk Beal, PhD, R.SLP, CCC-SLP Executive Director Deryk earned his master s degree and completed his clinical training at the University of Toronto. He has maintained a clinical practice focused on the assessment and treatment of stuttering and other motor speech disorders for over 12 years. He is a dedicated therapist who is intensely passionate about the creation and utilization of evidence for the continued improvement of assessment and treatment services for children, teens and adults who stutter, as well as people with motor speech disorders. Deryk is a clinician-scientist whose research aims to further our understanding of the brain s role in learning, planning and controlling speech production and how the brain differs in children, teens and adults with disordered speech production. He designed his research program for the express purpose of developing novel treatments for stuttering and other childhood brain-based speech and language disorders that persist across the lifespan. Deryk was drawn to ISTAR by its world-renowned reputation for stuttering treatment and clinical outcomes research. Marilyn Langevin, PhD, R.SLP, S-LP(C), CCC-SLP Director of Research and Assistant Professor Dr. Langevin has a long history with ISTAR, having served as Clinical Director prior to pursuing PhD studies at the University of Sydney in Australia. Marilyn was re-recruited to the University of Alberta and ISTAR in 2007 where she has made remarkable progress in further developing her program of research, developing collaborations and building research capacity across the province and within ISTAR. As Director of Research, Marilyn is responsible for conducting, promoting and facilitating leading-edge research into the nature, social impact, and treatment of stuttering and stuttering related clinical education, and developing and leading a research group centered at ISTAR. Holly Lomheim, MSLP; Elizabeth Haynes, MA; Shea Thompsen, MS-SLP; Jessica Harasym O Byrne, MSLP; Jacqueline Quittenbaum, MHSc; Cyndal Gervais, Msc.SLP; Kate Farr, Msc.SLP; Gianna Lau, MHSc, R.SLP Speech-Language Pathologists Note: Elizabeth and Gianna work in the Calgary office. Lynda Coyle, Clinical Administrative Assistant Marlo DeVouge, Alla Petrova, Administrative Assistants

6 Maps to Edmonton and Calgary Offices Edmonton Edmonton Office #1500 College Plaza Street Phone: Calgary Calgary Office #401 Hillhurst St NW Phone: