Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/01/2004 01:37 PM Senate L&C
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 365-SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ASSISTANTS
CHAIR CON BUNDE announced SB 365 to be up for consideration and
said that it was introduced on the behalf of the Alaska Speech
Pathologists. There is currently a shortage of speech and
language pathologists in Alaska and this bill aims to give
credentials and supervisory authority to speech and language
pathologist assistants. The use of an assistant does not replace
the work of a pathologist, but rather extends it.
MS. LAURA YOUNG-CAMPBELL, Mat-Su Speech Pathologist, said she is
also on the executive board of the Alaska Speech and Hearing
Association and that there is a nationwide shortage of language
and speech pathologists. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor
statistics, 34,000 additional language and speech pathologists
will be needed nationwide to fill the demand between 2000 to
2010, a 39 percent increase. Alaska is experiencing a shortage
in schools, private practice and hospitals and has been trying
to deal with the shortage for years.
The Alaska Speech and Hearing Association has been working with
the University of Alaska and other organizations to bring up
programs or develop training opportunities specific to our
unique needs. The Prince William Sound Community College offers
a Speech Pathology Assistant Program where students graduate
with an associate degree, which includes appropriate course work
specific to speech language pathology and practical experience
in a variety of employment settings. One of the larger needs for
speech and language pathologists is in schools. When a speech
pathologist is absent or needs to attend a meeting, usually
speech therapy is cancelled. Having an assistant would
facilitate consistent and ongoing therapy treatment. Having an
assistant would allow students to work in smaller groups and
receive more individual instruction. In a majority of cases,
with consistent and enhanced services, students will complete
their goals in less time.
SB 365 will allow speech pathology assistants to be
recognized for their training while providing them
with a scope of practice, which is under the
supervision of a licensed or certified speech language
pathologist. Due to the forecast of long-term
shortages, I feel that SB 365 does support these
services to all Alaskans. I urge you to pass this
bill.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if this bill runs counter to any federal
requirements in the area of special education.
MS. CAMPBELL replied no and that it would meet the professional
standards in the No Child Left Behind Act.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if the American Speech and Hearing Association
(ASHA) had taken a position on this bill.
MS. CAMPBELL replied that ASHA drafted guidelines in March and
31 states currently recognize the use of support personnel.
Twenty-two of those use registration and the others use
licensure.
CHAIR BUNDE indicated there were no further questions for her.
MS. PATRICIA OLMSTEAD said she is a life-long Alaskan and
returned in 1979 to practice as a certified speech language
pathologist. She has been traveling mostly remote regions since
that time, both in school district capacities and with the early
intervention network. She is the official legislative counselor
for the Alaska Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Association, representing them at the American Speech Language
Hearing Association where she was applauded when she announced
these initiatives were taking place in Alaska.
She said there is a tremendous shortage because there is more
demand in schools, hospitals and private settings. She supported
previous testimony on how use of assistants will help services
to be extended. Practically speaking, she relies almost
exclusively on third-party payment. She will be able to bill for
an assistant if he or she is appropriately trained and certified
by her.
MS. DIXIE ALMS said she has been a public speech pathologist in
Juneau for 29 years. She urged the committee's support of SB
365. She is currently split between Riverbend and Gastineau
Elementary Schools. She has about 22 kids at Riverbend, but her
caseload at Gastineau is 30 and climbing. She has formally
written a complaint to both of her principals and the school
district to document the challenges she is experiencing at
Gastineau because she can't do her job. If she had a trained
assistant, her kids would receive better and more competent and
complete services than she can provide half-time.
MS. NANCY LOVERING, President, Alaska Speech and Hearing
Association, said she is also a licensed speech language
pathologist in private practice in Anchorage for the past 14
years. She supported SB 365. Many of these assistants would
receive their training from a program offered through Prince
William Sound Community College and the University of Alaska
Anchorage. She explained that the program includes courses such
as Introduction to Communication Disorders, Voice and Diction,
Communication Disorders for Adults and Children, Therapy
Techniques, Early Childhood Communication Disorders and two 100-
hour practicums - one being in a generalized special education
arena and the other in specific speech and language services.
DR. MARJORIE KASSIER, Director of Training, Center for Human
Development, UAA, said this program was started by a request
from the Alaska Speech Language and Hearing Association. All of
the course work and training has been developed with the
cooperation of speech language pathologists. Currently, about 60
students are working towards the assistant degree at the
associate level. More than two-thirds of them are in small bush
and rural hub communities. The program is distance delivered,
which allows training for potential assistants all over the
state. The Mental Health Trust Authority has provided
substantial scholarships and grants have been received from the
federal Department of Education and the Department of Labor.
CHAIR BUNDE asked if a speech language pathologist assistant
would be analogous to a teaching assistant at the elementary
level of a public school.
DR. KASSIER replied, "Absolutely. In fact, that's a very good
way of describing what they would do...."
CHAIR BUNDE also pointed out that becoming an assistant would
lead the way to becoming a fully certified pathologist.
DR. KASSIER agreed and said that although the program is only
three years old, it already has 10 graduates. That doesn't sound
like much, but most of the students already have full time jobs
and families. They are extremely motivated and competent. This
suggests to her that they may go on and get bachelor degrees.
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass SB 365 and attached fiscal note
with individual recommendations. Senators Bettye Davis, Ralph
Seekins, Hollis French and Chair Con Bunde voted yea; and SB 365
moved from committee.
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