2000 HEARSAY HIGHLIGHTS

SCSHA CONFERENCE CELEBRATED THE MILLENNIUM
     Those of you who attended SCSHA Conference in Hilton Head last Feb. 2000 certainly remember the fun and levity that permeated the entire membership.   There was a party atmosphere in the midst of serious professional growth.  If you missed it, this quick recap will remind you to not miss this year's conference in Charleston.
    The goal of SCSHA Conference is to provide practical, meaningful, current topics presented by advanced professionals and an opportunity to network with SLPs and Audiologists from across the state.
     John and Ann Murphy- humorists, opened both mornings with an entertaining "lightn-up" presentation that set a positive tone for the entire day.  They sent a note of appreciation for the warm reception they received at SCSHA.   Jane Kitson - " the Mother Goose with pockets full of fun" was delighted with the SCSHA audiences and according to the evaluations returned you enjoyed her as well!  
     Roberta Pierce (a post-right CVA  SLP ) gave very practical take home messages from her personal experience with stroke.  She also spoke on myofunctional therapy, which has been a major part of her career as an SLP.  
     Diana Vincent - a neuro-imager from MUSC- was a big hit.  She spoke about language research and MRIs.
     Danielle Ripich - also from MUSC- presented her FOCUSED program for Alzheimer patients and their caregivers.  
     Justin Halbera - a PhD. candidate at NYU - shared his research on language learning in infants.  
     Gail Gegg-Rosenberg - president of AAA - spoke on sound-field amplification in the schools and update the audience on pending federal legislation regarding acoustic requirements for classrooms.  
     Glenda Mobley - certified coder and billing specialist- addressed technicalities of billing and  coding.  
     Short courses by Nancy Swigert - past ASHA president- on PPS (prospective payment system) and its effect on service delivery was very informative and helpful.  
     Terri Bellis - CAPD specialist - ( and now a professor at Ed's and my alma mater: the University of South Dakota!) gave a dynamic presentation of central auditory processing disorders.  Your response on evaluation forms indicated that her information was just what you needed to be more equipped to address treatment of CAPD.
     The following awards were presented at the conference – The Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders was presented the Special Recognition Award * Jennifer Mungo was presented the Frank R. Kleffner Award * Gail Murph received the Student of the Year Award * Lily Nalty and Patricia Quattlebaum received the DeCarlo Award * and Chase Crowder was chosen as the 2000 SCSHA Ambassador.  
     The auction and skits were so much fun!  Too long- we know - but since this was a first time effort - we now have the experience to plan accordingly.   Jane Senn and her entertainment committee truly deserve a round of applause for getting the "show on the road".  The auction raised nearly $4000 for the SCSHA Foundation!!  Now that was worth your investment of time-right?

President’s Message, Mary Steppling, PhD, CCC-SLP
     Service has a life of its own.  A single act of kindness may have a long trajectory and touch those we will never meet or see.  Something that we casually offer may move through a web of connection far beyond ourselves to have effects that we may have never imagined.  And so each of us may have left behind far more than we may ever know. -- Rachel Naomi Remen in “My Grandfather's Blessings”  
      As professionals in the field of communication disorders we are considered “service providers”.  Our profession has a long history of serving people with varying types of communication problems.  Whether we work with young children, elderly or some age in between, most of us can read the above and know the truth in these words.  I believe it is primary motivating force in why we do what we do.  Beyond this type of service is another, you know where I am heading now don’t you?  Yep, service in your association.
    I had the privilege, as your president elect, to attend the Council of State Presidents meeting in St Louis in May of this year.  At the “bring, brag and moan” session (gotta love that name and the idea behind it), association presidents shared what did or did not work for their state association. Your then current president, Jane Senn, (code switching here) “bragged on y’all real good” and with every reason.   We as members of the South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association are in a strong and active association. Sadly, some associations are struggling to raise funds and get the minimum work completed. SCSHA is a solid organization. 
     We have a remarkably hard working board and council. I cannot possibly recognize all of the wonderful members who contribute to the strength of SCSHA but I can offer my gratitude and refer you to page 3 of your new directory for a sampling.  I would be remiss if I did not thank Jane Senn for her excellent leadership as president and ongoing commitment to  SCSHA. Jane does it all with wit and charm.  As your Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Debbie Brady has worked tirelessly and spoken eloquently to work for legislative change particularly with regard to the CCC/NBPTS equivalency. June Maranville has redefined the president elect elect position with her attention to detail and willingness to take on any issue needing attention.  Karen Long watches your budget carefully and is quick to make us all accountable by instituting new policies and just saying no.   Melanie Pulaski is our education guru and oversees many committees, which coordinate education of our membership and the public. Beth Fleming and Jane Honaker, though new to board, have already committed to several large projects. In addition, we have a knowledgeable, industrious management company to attend to all the details of running a 600member association and we currently retain lobbyists to help us move grass roots issues forward.
   So you ask, if things are so good, why do you need me? Simply, because there is so much more to be done.  Some current initiatives include: working with the SCSDE to compare requirements of the CCC to NBPTS, this will be followed by more legislative efforts.  The SCSHA web site is in need of an update.  Anyone web wizards out there?  Technology increases our opportunities to connect, it also demands planning and maintenance.  We are losing our publications chair (gratitude and regrets Lisa Antley).  The newsletters now needs a new person and a suggestion has also been made that “reporters” from around the state should submit news from their area in the state.  Great idea, need people.  Conference planning requires time and energy (thanks Trish Szypulski and Sharon Schroeder), we need to develop more CEU opportunities, increase consortium connections, strengthen ASHA liaisons, improve public awareness, raise funds and build grass roots advocacy on any number of issues.
    So, I ask you.  What is your issue?  What professional needs do you have?  What  does your consortium, school district, health care setting, parent group, clinic, hospital, private practice, rehab setting, have on the table?  What do we all need to do to strengthen our profession in the state of South Carolina?  That is SCSHA’s role.
    As you read the reports in this issue, I hope you will see an opportunity.  For as many capable dedicated members as we have already working, there are more SCSHA members just not sure of how to begin or perhaps why to begin.   Remember in all ways you have the opportunity to connect and move beyond what you may now only imagine, to do greater good than you have ever considered.  Begin! You are SCSHA.  Your board, your management, your fellow members are all only a point and click or few touch- tone buttons away!

NEWS NEWS NEWS...
 Angie (Thompson) Neal, M.S. CCC-SLP has received a $3000 grant from the Greenville Hospital Foundation to begin an outpatient based program for children with language based learning disabilities. This program is offered through the Kidnetics outpatient pediatric therapies located at the new Center for Developmental Services in Greenville, South Carolina. Children enrolled in this program will receive a comprehensive evaluation and treatment by a speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist. Additional assessment/consultations are also available through the Children's hospital departments of Applied Developmental Psychology and Developmental Pediatricians. The goal of the program, which is named "ABC University", is to provide early intervention assessment and treatment for children as young as five who are at risk for developing language based learning disorders. "ABC University" is also able to meet the needs of older children who need a specialized, multi-sensory based approach to remediating their disability.  
     Ms. Neal received her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology from San Francisco State. Postgraduate studies include training in the Lindamood-Bell approach to language based learning disorders.  Future goals for the clinic include teaching seminars for parents and professionals working with children with language learning disabilities.
      I have received word from ASHA that a 2000 professional-consumer advocacy grant has been established. Up to 5 grants totaling $20,000 dollars will be awarded to "organizations of parents or audiologists and speech language pathologists for developing parent-professional grassroots networks that advocate on issues of significance for children with communication disabilities in school settings".  The submission deadline is October 15.  
      If you have an idea for this grant and would like more info, let me know and I will fax the application to you.  If you have an idea for SCSHA to work to support something of this nature, I would also appreciate hearing from you!  
Mary Steppling Ph.D.   CCC/SLP, Columbia College Education Department,1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203, Phone: 803-786-3751 / Fax: 803-786-3034

1999-2000 SCSHA ANNUAL REPORTS

VP of Governmental Affairs, Debbie Brady,  MEd, CCC-SLP
National Legislation and Government Activities
1. ASHA has posted an Action Alert asking speech-language pathologists to contact members of Congress regarding the two-year moratorium of the arbitrary $1500 caps on speech-language pathology (SLP), physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services. ASHA is requesting that the moratorium be continued. The Alert states:  
     “When Congress passed the two-year moratorium, it was with the understanding that the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) would work with ASHA and other organizations to develop a more appropriate payment method—one that would contain costs to the Medicare system but not deny needed care to beneficiaries. Unfortunately, two years does not appear to be enough time for HCFA to adequately research and develop an appropriate payment method. Since HCFA will not be ready with another payment method at the end of the two-year period, it is essential that Congress extend the moratorium.”
2.  Congress passed The Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening and Intervention Act  of 1999, as introduced by Representative Jim Walsh (R-NY), which provides new funding for newborn hearing screening grants to states. South Carolina received one of the grants and also passed H. 4775 which requires the following:  
     “By January 2002, hospitals with 100 or more deliveries per year (on the average) will be required to screen newborns during birth admission using procedures recommended by the Department of Health and Environmental Control; requires other hospitals and facilities to educate parents and provide information on having screening performed within one month; by July 2001, parents to receive information on the importance of hearing screenings; newborns referred after screening to receive an audiologic examination by an audiologist and a medical evaluation by a physician and/or otolaryngologist as indicated; after evaluation, newborns and infants to receive medical intervention, audiologic rehabilitation, early intervention, and augmentative hearing devices; also requires reporting, measures of program effectiveness, and a Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Advisory Council; the Department to establish reimbursement procedures; the Department's responsibilities to be funded from proceeds of the tobacco settlement.”
3.  According to an ASHA announcement, “The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4055, the "IDEA Full Funding Act," a bill that would set a schedule for fully funding the federal government's promise to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by the year 2010.
     H.R. 4055 must still be approved by the Senate and signed by the President to become law. There also still remains the challenge of securing appropriations since H.R. 4055 is an authorization bill (federal funds must be first authorized and then appropriated). While there is still a long way to go to bring about full funding of IDEA, House passage of H.R. 4055 is a critical and exciting first step.”  
State Legislation and Government Activities  
1. SCSHA sought to obtain recognition for school-based SLPs having the CCC and to obtain the same status and salary incentives for them as are given to teachers with National Board Certification (NBC). Thanks to great effort on the parts of its members, SCSHA was successful in amending S.1111 to recognize individuals with the ASHA CCC as being comparable to teachers with NBC.  
     Because of some opposition from legislators, however, the bill was later amended to request that the State Department of Education (SDE) study the CCC certification process and requirements and to judge the comparability of the CCC with NBC. The SDE must report their findings by December 1, 2000.  
     The SDE has proposed that a Task Force be formed to study the issue. SCSHA has submitted five names for consideration as members of the task force. They are: Debbie Brady, Jane Senn, Joe Grant, Anna Nobles Hewitt, and Tina Smith.  
2.    The lobbying firm of Joe Grant and Carlton Washington, or “The Grant Group” was hired by SCSHA to represent us legislatively from January, 2000 through June 2000. In addition to their legislative lobbying, the group presented one workshop and held one open discussion session at the 2000 SCSHA Conference. They have also worked with the Governor’s Office on the issue of national certification. The Grant Group’s  contract has been renewed for the period of August 1, 2000 through December, 2000.  
Association Activities  
1.  SCSHA representatives and ASHA Past President, Nancy Swiggert, testified before a Senate Education Sub-committee in March on the issue of national certification for SLPs.
2.  SCSHA representatives spoke at a SDE hearing on proposals for the renewal of the  state IDEA plan. While the original state plan required school-based SLPs to have a master’s degree by 2015, the proposed plan extended the date. SCSHA and others were successful in having the original date of 2015 remain in the new plan.  
3.  SCSHA hosted Legislative Day at the State House on May 3, 2000.  Many SCSHA members participated. Members were presented to the House and Senate Chambers, met individually with legislators, and delivered goodie bags. Graduate students and faculty from USC provided free hearing screening to over 100 legislators and staff members.  
Committee Goals
1.  Work for SDE acceptance of the ASHA CCC as comparable to NBC.  
2.  Prepare for the 2001 Legislative Session. The NBPTS Ad Hoc committee will be activated. Regional coordinators will be recruited and asked to spearhead communication and legislative efforts within regions.  
3.  Work toward SDE acceptance of ASHA CEUs toward recertification credit.  
4.  Increase grassroots advocacy in SCSHA.

VP of Planning & Administration, Karen M. Long, PhD, CCC-SLP
     Long range planning suggestions were presented to executive board and council at the SCSHA conferences.  In June, the executive board developed the following objectives for 2000-2001:  
1.  SCSHA will continue to work with our lobbyists and the State Department of Education to enact legislation that will recognize the CCC as equivalent to National Teacher Certification.  
2.  SCSHA committees will be restructured  
3.  Develop a new SCSHA Policies and Procedures manual  
4.  Strengthen the relationship between the South Carolina Department of Education and SCSHA.  
5.  Carefully monitor budget, increase fundraising efforts. 
    The June meeting brought a decision to change the terms of SCSHA board. After much discussion it was decided that by electing officers prior to conference, members who can attend conference (which has been a healthy percentage of SCSHA membership) can meet and interact with all officers outgoing and incoming.  This has the added benefit of allowing committee development to proceed immediately following member interest indicated on the committee pool forms distributed at conference.  Under the current system, there is a lag time in getting new officers in place which also delays assembling committees.  This decision necessitated several by-law changes which have been put to the general member ship for vote.  Maria Houston has agreed to continue as chair of the membership committee. New membership brochures have been designed and printed thanks to Danielle Varnedoe, Maria Houston and the management company. 
    SCSHA is maintaining expenses within budget.   Policies are being developed to assist SCSHA board and the management company in spending decisions.  As we continue to retain lobbyists, something most associations do, we will want to maximize fundraising efforts.

VP of Clinical/Professional Affairs, Grace Elizabeth Fleming, MSP, CCC-SLP
    What a year 2000 has been thus far, and it’s far from over!  Regulation changes for third party payers, especially Medicare and Medicaid, have affected almost every SLP in our association.  As we learn to serve our clients under new regulations, I’m sure many will have questions and concerns about the changes we see.  This year, ASHA has launched a Medicare/Fiscal Intermediary Network.  Each state has been asked to appoint an intermediary, and Angie Neal has enthusiastically accepted this role for South Carolina.  Angie will be participating in a national forum via an internet listserv as well as national teleconferences.  In addition to reporting any new information to our association, she will also serve as a voice for SCSHA, communicating our concerns to the national discussion.  Please contact Angie if you have any comments, questions, or concerns that you feel may be worthwhile for the forum.  Although the network will initially focus on Medicare issues, ASHA’s plan is to soon include discussion regarding Medicaid and other third party payers as well. 
    It has been an especially exciting year for public school therapists.  As you know, SCSHA and its lobbyists continue to work for recognition of national certification for those speech-language pathologists with CCCs.  Please remember that each voice counts and keep your eyes and ears open.  When our lobbyists and Debbie Brady ask for quick action, remember that obtaining recognition for our qualifications will benefit all South Carolina SLPs. 
    Finally, new ADEPT performance dimensions for public school SLPs are being implemented for the first time this fall.  Should you have any concerns or suggestions regarding the new ADEPT standards, please share them with our school division co-chairs, Susan Floyd and Melanie Anderson. 
    Now is the time to consider what we’d all like to see at conference.  Remember that SCSHA conference is meant to benefit all of us, so please share your ideas.  Be on the lookout for correspondence from committee chairs asking what concerns and ideas you may have for SCSHA and conference.  Please respond promptly and help us to make this conference beneficial to all.  See you in February!

VP of Education and Information, Melanie G. Pulaski, MEd, MA, CCC-SLP
    The Friends of Education met during the summer to discuss the Augenblick Study.  The Augenblick Study is a report on the relationship between higher student achievement and accompanying resources.  Dr. John Augenblick of Augenblick and Meyers, Inc. Denver, CO, worked with some 43 South Carolinians, principally classroom teachers and administrators from across the state, in compiling his report. 
    A copy of this report will be provided to the SCSHA Board President, Mary Steppling, and the Management Company. I encourage each of you to read this report because it appears to have received considerable attention, and sparked debate among educators across the State.  
     The Friends of Education requested that every association provide a top legislative priority for discussion at the next meeting.  I hope I represented all members of the association when I requested that “the Speech Language Pathologist Certificate of Clinical Competence be recognized by the State of South Carolina for National Board Certification” as our legislative issue.  Debbie Brady and Jane Senn, as well as other members of the SCSHA Board and members across the State have made this a priority…Thanks from all of us!    
     I will be speaking in Charleston County in October and November.  Charleston County Speech Pathologists please contact Delores Singletary with particular questions or topics and I will do my best to provide insight during my presentation.  
     By now you have all received information for nominations of special people and programs.  Please take a few minutes out of your busy schedules and find the green sheet…we need your expertise for nominations!  Please forward these to April Tucker.  Thank you April for agreeing to continue and congratulations on that new baby! 
    Bonnie Journey has agreed to assist as our Public Information representative.  She can only represent your area if you send her the information.  Please help her get the information by e-mailing topics of information you want our members to know.  Thank you Bonnie for agreeing to add this to your busy schedule!   
     I know you will all join me in wishing Lisa Antley well on her move to North Carolina.  Lisa has served this Association well!  Lisa has published the Hearsay and In Touch as well as many other “volunteer” activities for a very long time.  Lisa we are going to miss you and your service to SCSHA…we wish you and your family well and we thank you for all you have done for SCSHA members!  
     Trish Szypulski does not seem to have taken a break from last year’s conference.  In fact, she was already planning Conference 2001 before Conference 2000 ended.  Trish is making every effort to include suggestions from our membership for our 2001 Conference…If you think last year was great, just wait until you attend Conference 2001!  
     Crystal Murphree-Holden is reviewing the process by which we document CEUs during conference.  Also, Crystal has agreed to assist Mary Steppling and me in planning a mini CEU seminar.  Please let me know topics of interest and the best time of year and we will organize it for you.  Thanks Crystal!  
     We have been so blessed to have outstanding Presidents of this organization…I have had the privilege of working with Wendy Wingard-Gay, Jane Senn, and Mary Steppling.  We all need to let them know how much we appreciate their leadership and hard work for this organization! 
    On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for your gifts of kindness and sympathy during my sister’s illness and death.  Please know that your thoughts and prayers have helped me through this most difficult time.

President Elect-Elect, June K. Maranville,  MSP,  CCC-SLP 
    The President Elect-Elect served the board and members in the following categories: Assistant on technology/website issues, updated job duty time line, submitted synopsis of minutes for each board meeting for SCSHA publications, developed slate of nominees for election, developed committee pool and maintained booth at conference.  
     The President Elect-Elect served as assistant to the President-Elect in monitoring the SCSHA website and the SCSHA listserv.  Recommendations and revisions were made to keep information current, informative and appropriate for members.  Due to the increase in responsibilities related to technology, it was recommended that a Technology/Website Committee be formed.  The Executive Board voted to implement a committee in April, 2000.   
     As part of long range planning, the President Elect-Elect submitted a time line listing duties associated with the position.  The purpose of the timeline was to give new board members guidance in expectations therefore providing better and more efficient service to SCSHA members.  
     The President Elect-Elect was responsible for reviewing and summarizing executive board minutes for submission to INTOUCH after each meeting.  
     The President Elect-Elect was responsible for developing a slate of nominations for the vacant board positions in 2000.  The slate of nominees was secured and presented to members via mail ballot with the following results: President Elect-Elect – Jane Honaker, Vice President of Governmental Affairs – Debbie Brady, and Vice President of Clinical/Professional Affairs – Beth Fleming.  
     The committee pool data forms were revised and distributed at the annual conference in February, 2000.  After compiling information, a committee pool was developed.  Confirmation letters were mailed to members who signed up to participate on SCSHA committees.  Vice Presidents and/or Committee Chairs also notified members who expressed an interest in serving SCSHA and assigned duties as appropriate. 
    The President Elect-Elect was also responsible for maintaining the SCSHA booth at the annual conference.  The booth was provided for members to get more information about the association and current topics.  The primary topic of discussion was related to Recognition of CCC’s as equivalent for National Teacher Board Certification.  SCSHA items were also available for sale such as notebooks and ASHA pins.

Past President, Jane B. Senn,  MSP,  CCC-SLP 
    What an exciting and busy year it has been for The South Carolina Speech-Language-Hearing Association!  One year ago, I wrote in my President’s message that the turn of the century was a wonderful time to reflect with pride on SCSHA’s many past accomplishments and to dream and plan for future opportunities, challenges, and changes that would allow the association to continue to improve.  I had no idea just how many “opportunities, challenges, and changes” the year 1999-2000 would bring for SCSHA!
     As you read through the various annual reports in THE HEARSAY, you will realize that your executive board boldly faced many opportunities and challenges throughout the year that in turn brought about many changes that have improved our association in so many ways.  Read the reports carefully and note the numerous changes and improvements that have occurred as a result of legislation, technology, finance, management, strategic planning, education, and restructuring of committees and offices.  
     Each of the accomplishments described in the annual reports would not have taken place without the dedicated and tireless leadership of your executive board.  It has been an honor to serve with such an outstanding board. I extend my sincere thanks to each and every board member for working so hard with me this year to see that the goals of SCSHA were met.  
     I would like to express my appreciation to all the members of SCSHA, also.  You have given so much support in countless ways toward meeting the goals of the association.  You have worked hand-in-hand with the executive board proving that teamwork and cooperation are alive and well allowing SCSHA to grow stronger than ever.  What a difference YOU have made this year!  
    I thank you for your support and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve as your President this year.  I hope you feel that you have been served well.  I will cherish the many memories and friendships that have developed during the last 3 years of my term on the executive board.  This has been an experience I will treasure for a lifetime.  I am so proud to be a member of SCSHA and I look forward to continuing to serve as your Past President!