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Fall 2011 Newsletter
Fall 2011 Issue of 'The Voice' (PDF)
Spring 2011 Newsletter
June 17, 2011 - Spring "The Voice" Newsletter (750kb PDF)
February 15, 2011 Newsflash
Senate Bill 141 Passes the Senate; Moves to the Oregon House
The Board has been working for almost a year to update the statute and rules that guide our work.
The statute governing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology was last updated in 2005.
The Board (working through the Governor’s Office) introduced Senate Bill 141 to update our statute to reflect best practices in the professions we regulate, grant clearer or broader authority to protect the public health and safety, and streamline agency operations. Both OSHA and OAA have demonstrated their support of this bill. The bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Health Care, Human Services, & Rural Health Policy on February 2nd, and was carried by Senator Kruse to the Senate floor, where it passed 27-3 on February 10th. It has now been read in the House, and will soon be assigned to a House Committee for consideration.
If successful, we expect the bill will be signed into law by the Governor, with an effective date of July 1, 2011. Since the bill will move some current statutory provisions into rule, the Board will consider and approve further rule changes this spring so that the effective dates for the statutory changes and the new rules coincide.
Linked below is a one-page summary of the key points of the bill, and a copy of the draft bill, showing anticipated changes from current language.
January 28, 2011 Newsflash
News Flash - SB141 The Board has been working for almost a year to update the statute and rules that guide our work. As reported in the Spring 2010 newsletter, the Board reviewed our statute and rules at its meetings last February 26 and March 5, and identified a number of issues that needed change, as well as some "housekeeping" fixes. The minutes of those meetings document the Board's thinking. Some of these issues required rule changes, which were made in July and August 2010; further rule changes go into effect February 1, 2011. Rule-making is done using an administrative process, which includes public hearings and testimony sought from licensees. Other issues required statutory changes, which can only be made by the Oregon Legislature.
The statute governing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology was last updated in 2005. When the Legislative Session begins in February, the Board will bring forth a bill (Senate Bill 141) to update our statute to reflect best practices in the professions we regulate, grant clearer or broader authority to protect the public health and safety, and streamline agency operations. The legislative concepts for this bill were written last June, and shared with both OSHA and OAA. After the actual bill language was drafted by the Office of Legislative Counsel in September, this was again shared with the professional association boards, legislative liaisons, and lobbyists. Both associations support the provisions of the bill as drafted, and both John McCulley (OSHA) and Genoa Ingram (OAA) plan to testify in support of the bill.
Since SB 141 has no fiscal impact, and has the support of the professional associations, the Board, and the Governor's Office, it is expected to be heard early in the Legislative Session. It will likely be scheduled for hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care, Human Services, & Rural Health Policy in mid-February. If passed, it will then go to the House for review and action, most likely in the House Health Care Committee. If successful, we expect the bill will be signed into law by the Governor, with an effective date of July 1, 2011. Since the bill would move some current statutory provisions into rule, we will need to do further rule changes over the next few months so that the effective dates for the statutory changes and the new rules coincide on July 1st.
Linked below is a one-page summary of the key points of the bill, and a copy of the draft bill, showing anticipated changes from current language.
SB141 Summary and Draft Text
January 26, 2011 Newsflash
Draft SB 141 Coming Before the Senate Health Committee
Sandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
The Board has been working for almost a year to update the statute and rules that guide our work. As reported in the Spring 2010 newsletter, the Board reviewed our statute and rules at its meetings last February 26 and March 5, and identified a number of issues that needed change, as well as some "housekeeping" fixes. The minutes of those meetings document the Board's thinking. Some of these issues required rule changes, which were made in July and August 2010; further rule changes go into effect February 1, 2011. Rule-making is done using an administrative process, which includes public hearings and testimony sought from licensees. Other issues required statutory changes, which can only be made by the Oregon Legislature.
The statute governing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology was last updated in 2005. When the Legislative Session begins in February, the Board will bring forth a bill (Senate Bill 141) to update our statute to reflect best practices in the professions we regulate, grant clearer or broader authority to protect the public health and safety, and streamline agency operations. The legislative concepts for this bill were written last June, and shared with both OSHA and OAA. After the actual bill language was drafted by the Office of Legislative Counsel in September, this was again shared with the professional association boards, legislative liaisons, and lobbyists. Both associations support the provisions of the bill as drafted, and both John McCulley (OSHA) and Genoa Ingram (OAA) plan to testify in support of the bill.
Since SB 141 has no fiscal impact, and has the support of the professional associations, the Board, and the Governor's Office, it is expected to be heard early in the Legislative Session. It will likely be scheduled for hearing in the Senate Committee on Health Care, Human Services, & Rural Health Policy in mid-February. If passed, it will then go to the House for review and action, most likely in the House Health Care Committee. If successful, we expect the bill will be signed into law by the Governor, with an effective date of July 1, 2011. Since the bill would move some current statutory provisions into rule, we will need to do further rule changes over the next few months so that the effective dates for the statutory changes and the new rules coincide on July 1st.
Attached is a one-page summary of the key points of the bill, and a copy of the draft bill, showing anticipated changes from current language.
I ask you to review these over the next week and contact me by next Wednesday, February 2nd with any questions or concerns you may have. Again, given the nature of the legislative process, we cannot predict exactly when hearings will be scheduled, but I will keep you informed as best as I can.
SB141 Summary and Draft Text (PDF)
Winter 2011
Winter 2011 Newsletter (PDF)
Fall 2010
Fall 2010 Newsletter (PDF)
Spring 2010 Newsletter
Spring 2010 Newsletter (PDF)
August 9, 2010 Flash
Permit to Supervise SLPAs & Permit Fees No Longer Required
Sandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
Permits to Supervise SLPAs previously issued by the Board expired on July 31, 2010. Typically, SLPs licensed by TSPC who needed these permits would submit applications and permit fees during the summer and fall for staffing assignments for new school year.
The Board has re-evaluated its criteria for supervision for SLPAs and has just filed temporary rules changing these requirements. These rules are effective immediately and are in effect for six months. During that time, the Board intends to propose making these rules permanent, and there will be an opportunity for public hearing. However, the Board does not anticipate any opposition since these changes make the requirements for supervision more consistent for those licensed by the Board and by TSPC, and since it eliminates the permit fees for TSPC licensees.
The Board requires all SLPs supervising SLPAs to hold either a Board license or a TSPC license with a communications disorders endorsement and to have at least two years of full-time professional experience as an SLP. The clinical fellowship (CFY) may be counted as one of those two years. In addition, every supervising SLP must agree to the supervision requirements in Oregon Administrative Rules. The SLPA Supervisor Change Notice now summarizes these rules and asks each supervisor to attest that they are aware of these rules and will follow them. SLPs who are not Board-licensed are asked to complete additional demographic information so that the Board can track the supervisory relationships of non-licensees in our database (as we do for licensees), and so that we have complete contact information for each supervisor.
The SLPA Supervisor Change Notice is available on the Board’s website under the Forms tab, or click here: http://www.oregon.gov/BSPA/pdfs/SLPA_Supervision_Change_Notice.pdf. This form needs to be submitted to the Board by the SLPA within 30 days of any change of supervisor—both additions and deletions. This form requires information and signatures from both the SLPA and the SLP. In the case of a TSPC-licensed supervisor, a third party must also attest that individual has more than 2 years of professional experience. (This information is already on file for Board-licensed SLPs.) It is up to the SLPA to get appropriate signatures and submit the form on time; however, it is the responsibility of both the SLPA and SLP to conform to SLPA supervision rules.
The other change is for SLPs supervising persons completing their SLPA practicum. Supervisors of practicum students now may be either Board-licensed or hold their ASHA CCC’s. This makes the qualifications consistent for practica supervisors inside and outside Oregon, and conforms to the emerging national standard.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Board office at 971-673-0220 or speechaud.board@state.or.us.
Please share this information with your Special Education Director and other school administrators.
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| 2009 |
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Fall 2009 Newsletter
July 7, 2009 News Flash
Rule Changes Are Final July 1, 2009
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Sandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
The Board adopted proposed rule amendments at their May 22, 2009, following their review of written comments submitted during the formal comment period and a report from the hearing officer regarding the public hearing held on May 20, 2009. The amended rules became effective on July 1, 2009.
The rule amendments accomplish the following:
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Adds and clarifies definitions of unprofessional conduct
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Clarifies need for timely reporting of home and business addresses and SLPA supervision changes
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Increases licensing fees
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Reduces professional development hours required for renewal and re-activation
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Requires professional development requirement for initial licensure
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Clarifies SLPA supervision requirements
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Allows Board to exempt school districts in critical shortage areas from certain SLPA supervision requirements using an application and approval process
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Changes miscellaneous text for clarity
The notice of permanent rulemaking along with the new version of the amended rules can be found on our website at: http://www.oregon.gov/BSPA/pdfs/Notice_of_Permanent_Administrative_Rules-6-09.pdf
If you have questions, please call the Board office at 971-673-0220 or email us at speechaud.board@state.or.us.
SLPA Supervision Audit Update
Sandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
The Board recently completed an audit of SLPA supervision in all Oregon ESDs and a sample of 8 other school districts. This was the first audit of SLPA supervision conducted since the Board adopted this as a Key Performance Measure this spring.
Some concerns identified through the audit were:
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SLPs supervising SLPAs without a current, valid SLP license or Permit to Supervise SLPAs issued by this Board
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SLPs supervising SLPAs without having the required two years of professional SLP experience
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An SLPA who also served one day a week as an SLP (licensed by TSPC), who did not hold SLPA certification by this Board
Issues related to appropriate licensure of SLPAs and SLPs are being addressed individually. SLPs may not supervise SLPAs until they obtain appropriate SLP licenses or permits from this Board.
Clinical logs were also reviewed for two sample months as part of the audit. Review of the logs revealed that generally SLPAs appear to be supervised more than is required by our Administrative Rules. Some reports appeared to document inadequate supervision.
Over the next weeks, specific feedback will be given to each district that responded to the audit. Any specific action related to a licensee will be directed to that individual.
The clinical logs varied in their format, and showed inconsistency in terminology. It was frequently difficult to tell how many hours an SLPA worked in total, or how many clinical interaction hours they logged. As a result, the Board is working to develop a standardized log “smart form” that would clarify definitions and perform supervision calculations through Excel. The Board believes this will be a valuable tool for SLPAs, supervising SLPs, and audit reviewers. Input from users will be sought before this form is finalized.
This SLPA supervision audit provides a useful baseline for future reviews. In the meantime, the Board urges SLPs, SLPAs, and Special Education Directors or others supervising speech therapy services to review our rules regarding SLPA supervision. These are on our website at http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARs_300/OAR_335/335_095.html and http://www.oregon.gov/BSPA/pdfs/Notice_of_Permanent_Administrative_Rules-6-09.pdf. Questions about rules can be directed to the Board office.
“Exceptions” to Administrative Rules
Sandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
We have been asked about exceptions to the Board’s administrative rules. The Board is not able to “bend” its own effective OARs. Once a rule is effective, unless there is specific permission for the Board to do so in the rule, the Board cannot apply a previous version of the rule, suspend a rule, or contravene it without going through a formal rule change process.
Heads Up! Permits to Supervise SLPAs Expire 7/31
Tim Anderson
Administrative Assistant
Permits to supervise SLPAs, unlike our other licenses, expire every year on July 31st. They were set up this way to coincide with the school year calendar, since staffing for SLPA supervision may change each academic year.
All current permit holders will receive a new application for the 2009-2010 year at the mailing address that they specified. First time applicants can obtain a form on our website.
Spring 2009 Newsletter
Spring 2009 Newsletter (PDF)
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| 2008 |
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Fall 2008 Newsletter
Fall 2008 Newsletter (PDF)
Spring 2008 Newsletter
Spring 2008 Newsletter (PDF)
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| 2007 |
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Fall 2007 Newsletter
Fall 2007 Newsletter (PDF)
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| 2006 |
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Fall 2006 Newsletter
Fall 2006 Newsletter (PDF)
Spring 2006 Newsletter
Spring 2006 Newsletter (PDF)
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| 2005 |
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Fall 2005 Newsletter
Fall 2005 Newsletter (PDF)
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| 2004 |
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Winter 2004 Newsletter
Winter 2004 Newsletter (PDF)
Summer 2004 Newsletter
Summer 2004 Newsletter (PDF)
Spring 2004 Newsletter
Spring 2004 Newsletter (PDF)
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