SEAL Updates:

Respectfully submitted by: Nancy Kuhles, NSHA SEAL

·        I attended the SEALs meeting in July during the 2010 School Conference in Las Vegas.

·        Information was provided regarding the new 2010 ASHA policy document “Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists in Schools, “which replaces the 2000 “Guidelines for the Roles and Responsibilities for School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist.” This is an IMPORTANT document for all school-based SLPs to read and about which one should be knowledgeable.  An overview of the new document includes: Critical Roles (e.g. working across all levels, ensuring educational relevance, providing unique contributions to curriculum, and more…), Collaboration (e.g. with other school professionals, with universities, with families, with students, and more...), Range of Responsibilities (e.g. prevention, assessment, intervention, and more…) and Leadership (e.g. advocacy, supervision and mentorship, professional development, and more…). This new 2010 ASHA policy document is available at www.asha.org/policy

·        I gave a Power Point presentation at the SEALs meeting during the 2010 Schools Conference. I presented information on the NSHA Coalition’s activities (outreach program) (please see Coalition Update for specific activities) which included collaborations with the Nevada Department of Education, the “Get the Word Out” campaign, Professional Development and Mentoring.

·        I participated in a round table discussion on Telespeech (Telepractice). ASHA has developed a document entitled “Professional Issues in Telepractice for Speech-Language Pathologists” (www.asha.org  http://www.asha.org/docs/html/PI2010-00315.html) which provides information on terminology, technology, using telepractice as a service delivery model, and more.

·        As part of my collaborations with our Nevada Department of Education, I have been working with the Nevada’s State Medicaid Office with regard to “school-based child health services.” These services are outlines in our State Medicaid Plan Chapter 2800. My collaborative work has included providing guidance with regard to SLP provider qualifications utilizing federal and state regulations as well as ASHA policies and guidance as it pertains to school-based services to Medicaid eligible children. I will take part in a Medicaid meeting later in August for Nevada school district Medicaid administrators and Medicaid Technicians.

·        As a part of my collaborations with our Nevada Department of Education, I am assisting in the implementation of a statewide SLP Cohort Program at Nevada State College.

·        As a part of my collaborations with our Nevada Department of Education, I am assisting with a proposal to pilot telepractice services for speech-language therapy.