The SLP Scoop
ESC Region 11 Speech-Language Pathology Newsletter
Issue 24 • August 2020
The Statewide SLP Webinar series will be starting in just a few short weeks! Developed through the thoughtful collaboration of all 20 education service centers in Texas, this series hosts respected presenters delivering high-level content on topics related to school-based speech and language services. Make sure to register below so you can view the webinars!
Date: September 4, 2020 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Joel Shaul, M.A
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: October 9, 2020 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Ellen Kester, PhD; CCC-SLP
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: November 13, 2020 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Ellen Kester, PhD; CCC-SLP
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Statewide SLP Webinar #4: SI Legal
Date: December 4, 2020 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Gigi Driscoll, JD
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Statewide SLP Webinar #5: Getting Started Addressing Swallowing and Feeding in the Schools
Date: January 22, 2021 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Emily Homer, M.S; CCC-SLP; FASHA
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: February 19, 2021 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Emily Homer, M.S; CCC-SLP; FASHA
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: March 19, 2021 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Deann O’Lenick, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: April 23, 2021 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Deann O’Lenick, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
2.5 TSHA CEUs
Date: May 21, 2021 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Presenter: Deann O’Lenick, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
2.5 TSHA CEUs
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is a state agency that is responsible for licensing and regulating a broad range of occupations, businesses, and facilities in Texas, including speech-language pathologists and audiologists. If you would like to receive important notices about changes to rules, statutes, fees, and examination requirements from TDLR, please sign up here.
TDLR has posted the new Administrative Rules for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, which are effective August 1, 2020. Changes can be located here. The adopted rules implement House Bill (HB) 1899, HB 2059, and HB 2847, Articles 7 and 10, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019) and HB 2680, Section 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005); implement recommended changes from the Licensing Workgroup, and make terminology and other clean-up changes. The adoption justification was published in the July 24, 2020, issue of the Texas Register (45 TexReg 5172). The updated rule chapter will be made available upon its effective date of August 1, 2020.
It is our ethical responsibility to stay informed of these changes, so please familiarize yourself with them.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announced eligibility pathways for the first-ever certification program for audiology assistants and speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs).
To be eligible to take the audiology assistants or speech-language pathology assistants certification exam, applicants must complete one of three pathway options that best fit their education and qualifications. In addition to finishing all the requirements of that option, applicants must also complete additional mandatory requirements.
Audiology Assistants Certification: Eligibility Pathways
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants Certification: Eligibility Pathways
Check out their website https://www.ashaassistants.org/
Please see The Texas Education Agency 's COVID-19 Special Education website for current information and resources around COVID-19. The following documents may be of interest to you:
- SY 20-21 Homebound FAQ (PDF) August 13 2020 (NEW)
- SY 20-21 Students with Disabilities Planning Supports Guidebook (PDF) August 7 2020 (NEW)
- Speech-Language Therapy Services Guidance (PDF) May 14, 2020
- COVID19 Special Education Q&A (PDF) May 27, 2020
- COVID19 y Educación Especial en Texas (PDF) 27 May 2020
- Consideration for Online Education Platforms (PDF) April 23 2020
House Bill 2059 requires certain healthcare practitioners to complete a Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved human trafficking prevention training course to renew their license. Licensees are required to comply with the training requirements. For more information about training courses, visit the Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Health Care Practitioners webpage.
The TDLR license types related to our field that are impacted by HB 2059 and will be required to comply with the new training requirement are:
• Audiologist
• Assistant in Audiology
• Intern in Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Intern in Speech-Language Pathology
• Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology
• Hearing Instrument Fitter & Dispenser
The training requirement goes into effect on September 1, 2020, and is required for every renewal on or after that date. The training course is not required for license renewals submitted before September 1, 2020. Licensees must continue to complete an approved training course during each subsequent renewal cycle.
Notice of Procedural Safeguards and Parent Guide to the ARD:
Updated documents were released mid-July and can be found on the Legal Framework website. Change documents can be found under the Updates tab.
TEA Special Education Newsletter:
Please see the July Newsletter covering topics from special education monitoring to face shield considerations.
TEA Technical Assistance Guides:
Technical Assistance: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development <--- NEW!!
Technical Assistance: Child Find and Evaluation (Revised June 2020)
In light of the current COVID-19 crisis, all face-to-face sessions, training, and meetings hosted by ESC Region 11 are canceled through August 31, 2020.
Thank you for all you are doing for ESC Region 11. I appreciate all of your hard work and flexibility as we navigate these ever-changing times.
Stay safe and take care,
Katie
Contact Information
Katie Adams, M.S., CCC-SLP
Consultant, Speech-Language Pathology
Email: kadams@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/speech
Location: Education Service Center Region 11, South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 8177407625