Challenges and Solutions Recruiting and Retaining Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) in West Virginia. The WV PIC RECRUITMENT/RETENTION PROJECT

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1 Challenges and Solutions Recruiting and Retaining Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) in West Virginia The WV PIC RECRUITMENT/RETENTION PROJECT

2 SLP SHORTAGE IN WEST VIRGINIA PLEA- SANTS BOONE BRAXTON BROOKE CABELL CLAY FAYETTE GILMER GREENBRIER HANCOCK HARDY HARRISON JACKSON KANAWHA LEWIS LINCOLN LOGAN MCDOWELL MARION MASON MERCER MONONGALIA MONROE NICHOLAS OHIO PRESTON PUTNAM RALEIGH RANDOLPH RITCHIE ROANE TAYLOR TUCKER TYLER WEBSTER WETZEL WIRT WOOD WYOMING JEFF- ERSON D HOUN CAL- MARSHALL

3 SLP Shortages in Schools Chronic Shortage of SLPs Results in.. Increased paperwork Increased caseload Decreased opportunity for individual services Decreased quality of service Decreased job satisfaction Some students receiving partial or no service Less opportunity for networking and collaboration School Recruitment/Retention Efforts not meeting need!! Not competitive with private industry

4 THE PIC PROJECT National Center to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Qualified Personnel for Children with Disabilities (PIC) Federally-funded Technical Assistance and Dissemination Project Increase the nation s capacity to recruit and retain qualified personnel. Five Year Project (Currently in Year 4) Limited number of states selected (3) WV application focused on the critical shortage of SLPs in the following areas: Personnel Preparation Program Partnerships (PPP) * Attracting, Developing and Supporting New and Existing Personnel (ADS) *

5 West Virginia PIC Services Goal: to increase the state s capacity to assist local school districts in hiring and retaining qualified personnel for children with disabilities. SLP Focus WV PIC Intensive Services Onsite visits to facilitate meetings at the state level SLP Task Force Meeting (December) Personnel Preparation Program Partnerships (PPP) SLP Summit (February) Attracting, Developing and Supporting New and Existing Personnel (ADS) Assistance with developing, planning, implementing, and updating State Action and/or Partnership Plans Technical assistance via s, conference calls, community blogs and webinars Access to cross-state Communities of Practice

6 SLP MEETING SUMMARY Challenges Supply- Demand Lack of WV IHE Programs Personnel Hiring Barriers Lack of state/local marketing plans Working Conditions in Schools Low Pay Lack of understanding by BOE and others RE: Shortage Confusion regarding Teachers vs. Professional Support Personnel Speech Assistants Inefficient recruitment/retention strategies Rural Needs Financial Cost of contract services Competitive Salaries Solutions Increased Access to IHE Programs Improve Communication among LEAs, State and IHEs Tuition Support Explore Online Program with WKU Clarify confusing hiring policies Recruitment/retention Incentives Ongoing PD for SLPs Start salary base at 20 yrs Extend contracts Flexible Scheduling ( job sharing) ASHA dues, moving expenses, etc. Expand Speech Assistants program Advanced Credential Use of Telepractice and other alternatives Articulate shortage concerns to national groups Statewide Awareness Campaign and job fair Recruit at WVSHA/ ASHA Develop marketing DVD focusing on advantages of working in WV Update WVDE Job Bank Use Social Media that reaches younger market

7 Western Kentucky University (WKU) Online SLP Graduate Program WKU s Online Master s Program in Communication Disorders Accredited by NCATE, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech- Language Pathology through the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Designed to prepare SLPs to meet needs in hospitals, clinic, schools, etc. Meets the academic and clinical requirements of ASHA, leading to national certification and state licensure A minimum of 42 academic and 7 clinical credits are required for graduation. WKU offers online prerequisite courses needed to enter the Master s of Science in Communication Disorders. PIC has worked with WKU to establish cohorts in New York and Texas providing online programs addressing shortage areas.

8 WV Cohort Determine interest in an online program RESA 7 Survey determining interest Individual county West Liberty University Number of Candidates: 30 Total School Commitment Student on permit in schools while completing degree Contractual agreement to work in the schools post graduation. Financial Issues Cost per hour: 579/credit hour in addition to books/ (locked in rate ) Tuition support Framework Candidate must meet WKU s application requirements and follow their process All courses online Clinical internship and 3 externships will be completed in WV Time Line : Summer 2013 Summer 2015 Applications due October 1, Webinar: May 14 3:00 pm

9 Next Steps: PIC Project Implement the WKU online program Share vacancies Work with HR/Personnel Officers and WVDE OPP to clarify policies and distribute fact sheet Update and disseminate recruitment/retention brochure Meet w/ WVDE personnel Update Job Bank Troops to Teachers Technology Options - using social media SLPA Program Develop fact sheet describing SLP incentives, mentoring, etc. for LEAs Combined meeting of Task Force and Summit participants June 5, 2012 Complete Action Plan

10 HOT TOPICS Critical Personnel Shortage Cost of Contracted Services Over Identification of SLI Students Articulation Low Dismissal Rates SLP Best Practices Document SLP Schedules Documentation Speech Logs Camp Gizmo (July 14-18) WVDE Phonological Awareness Training (August) Step-Up to Speech Kanawha County STEPS Program

11 MULTI- LEVELED MODEL for SPEECH-LANGUAGE SERVICES Intervention for Students with Mild Speechlanguage Impairments National attention Growing caseloads, increased paperwork and low dismissal rates New approach to providing effective, efficient services Traditional approaches often result in students enrolled in programs for long periods of time without making significant progress Significant time and burdensome paperwork to navigate the special education system for a young child with a mild speech disorder that may correct without intervention. SLPs provide intervention within the general education environment with the educator, parent and the student prior to referral for special education Observe the speech and language skills to determine if a disorder is present that requires referral for special education Supports SPL

12 STEP UP to SPEECH

13 KANAWHA COUNTY SCHOOLS STEPS PILOT PROGRAM Speech Therapy Education and Prevention for Success.

14 Questions?