Challenges and Solutions Recruiting and Retaining

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) in West Virginia

________________________________________

The WV “PIC” RECRUITMENT/RETENTION

PROJECT

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

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

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) *

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 emails, conference calls, community blogs and webinars

– Access to cross-state Communities of Practice

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

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.

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, 2012

http://www.wku.edu/communicationdisorders/graduateadmission.php

• Webinar: May 14 – 3:00 pm

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

“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) – http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/campgizmo.html

• WVDE Phonological Awareness Training (August) • “Step-Up to Speech”

– Kanawha County “STEPS” Program

MULTI- LEVELED MODEL for SPEECH-LANGUAGE SERVICES

• Intervention for Students with Mild Speech-language 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

“STEP – UP” to SPEECH

• KANAWHA COUNTY SCHOOLS • “STEPS” PILOT PROGRAM

• Speech Therapy Education and Prevention for Success.

Questions?