Strategic Objective Highlights

April 2024 (updates posted biannually)

As a part of ASHA's Strategic Pathway, the ASHA Board of Directors established nine Strategic Objectives designed to dramatically change:

• the way we practice and how we are paid for our services
• the way others perceive and value the services we provide
• the science underlying service delivery
• what our membership looks like
• our partners for addressing communication and related disorders here and around the world

For each of the Strategic Objectives included in ASHA's Strategic Pathway to Excellence, an owner was assigned, an objective outcome was developed, and work is underway toward those outcomes. Following are highlights of each Strategic Objective and contact information for the Objective Owner.

Strategic Objective #1: Expand data available for quality improvement and demonstration of value

Objective Owner

Rob Mullen, Director, National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders (rmullen@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA has advanced large-scale databases and outcomes measurement efforts to enable practice improvements, demonstrate value to external parties, and inform client choice.

Highlights

• Data collection is ongoing for the new Audiology NOMS Registry and the new version of the SLP NOMS Registry.
• A new deliverable, Demonstration of Value Fact Sheets, has been developed, with nine Fact Sheets published to date:
  • The Value of Speech-Language Pathologists in Acute Care Settings
  • The Value of Speech-Language Pathologists in Treating Persons with Parkinsons Disease
  • The Value of Speech-Language Pathologists in Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
  • The Value of Audiologists in the Treatment of Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline/Dementia
  • The Value of Audiologists in the Assessment and Treatment of Balance and Dizziness
  • The Value of Audiologists During the Hearing Aid Fitting Process: Real-Ear Measurement
  • The Value of Audiology Telepractice Services
  • The Value of SLP Telepractice Services
  • The Value of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Treating Adults with Acquired Brain Injury

Strategic Objective #2: Advance Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPE/IPP)

Objective Owner

Loretta Nunez, MA, AuD, CCC-A/SLP, FNAP, Director, Academic Affairs & Research Education (lnunez@asha.org)

Outcome

Academic programs employ IPE approaches to personnel preparation and both students and ASHA members engage in interprofessional collaborative practice.

Highlights

• Published expanded and revised IPE/IPP web-based "hub" that feature practical how to resources, case studies, the benefits of IPE/IPP, and IPE/IPP evidence and research resources. A Quick Links page is available to access downloadable resources such as rubrics, checklists, videos, etc. for easy incorporation into education and professional development activities and clinical practice.
• ASHA is implementing a marketing/communication plan on high impact messaging and resources to advance IPE/IPP.
• ASHA offers a travel stipend program for eligible non-CSD professionals who present at the annual ASHA Convention as part of IPE or IPP teams with an audiologist and/or speech-language pathologist.
• ASHA supported Faculty Development Institute (AFDI) cohorts (2021, 2019) in their efforts toward curricular enhancements for evidence-based practice, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, cultural competence, and working at the top of one’s license. Future efforts will focus on infusing these four focus areas into available ASHA opportunities for faculty development, teaching and learning resources, and the dissemination of information.
• Identifying and disseminating IPE/IPP evidence and research resources (e.g., systematic reviews, research agendas, implementation science models, and funding opportunities) that support research in IPE/IPP conducted by members of the CSD discipline.
• Information and resources about IPE/IPP, the IPEC Core Competencies, and the value of IPE/IPP to clinical outcomes are shared via meetings, presentations, exhibits, ASHA publications, ASHA Convention, and related ASHA conferences.
• Collaborations are ongoing with related professional organizations and state associations to advance IPE/IPP.
• Links to seminal reference documents, instructional videos, and IPE/IPP conferences are disseminated on an ongoing basis.
• IPE/IPP competencies are incorporated into ASHA's Scope of Practice for Audiology, Scope of Practice for SLP, ASHA's Code of Ethics, CAA Accreditation standards, CFCC certification standards, and Academic Affairs Board recommendations for undergraduate education in CSD.

Strategic Objective #3: Enhance the generation, publication, knowledge translation, and implementation of clinical research

Objective Owner

Margaret Rogers, PhD, Chief Staff Officer for Science and Research (mrogers@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA has enhanced the generation, publication, knowledge translation, and implementation of clinical research.

Highlights

Generation

• All 11 Academic and Research Mentoring (ARM) Network programs, which span three academic–research career stages, are on track to be delivered in 2024.
  • Considering an Academic-Research Career
    • Progeny, Students Preparing for Academic Research Careers (SPARC), Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award (RMPTA), Audiology Research Travel Award (ARTA)
  • Launching an Academic-Research Career
    • Mentoring Academic Research Careers (MARC), Pathways, Lessons for Success (LfS)
  • Advancing an Academic–Research Career
    • Advancing Academic Research Careers (AARC), Grant Review & Reviewer Training (GRRT), Clinical Practice Research Institute (CPRI), and Dissemination and Implementation Science Travel Award (DISTAnce)
• Participant Outcomes at 3-years and 6-years post-participation are available at ARM Network Program Participant Outcomes Data. Highlights include:
  • 96–100% of the participants across these seven programs aimed at launching and advancing careers remained in the academic–research pipeline at 6 years post-participation.
  • For Pathways, LfS, and MARC, three years after the program, 70% of participants who applied were successful in obtaining research funding, and after 6 years, 81% had obtained research funding.
  • For AARC, GRRT, CPRI, & DISTAnce, three years after the program, 82% of participants who applied were successful in obtaining research funding, and after 6 years, 88% had obtained research funding.

Publication and Knowledge Translation of Clinical Practice Research

• Development of the new Article Peer-Reviewer Training Program (APT), which is a new mentoring program to assist early career researchers learn how to provide article peer-review. This new program will launch in 2024.
• A forum in JSLHR on Artificial Intelligence in CSD, stemming from the NIDCD-funded 2023 Research Symposium in CSD, will be published in 2024. The audio-synced slides from the Symposia are available online.
• Development of a Teaching, Learning, and Research Hub (TLR Hub) is progressing. The TLR Hub consolidates access to curated resources and modules developed for faculty, researchers, and learners. This new site will launch in 2024.
• Several extant resources will be migrated into the TLR Hub (e.g., ASHA's Clinical Research Education [CREd] Library, the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Collection, Teaching Symposium on Teaching Foundational Sciences in CSD).
• New resources are being created for in the TLR Hub such as a series of modules on teaching Evidence-Based Assessment and Mitigating Bias in Clinical Assessment. The Clinical Research, Implementation Science, and Evidence-Based Practice (CRISP) Committee created these modules. The CRISP Committee also presented on this topic at the 2023 ASHA Convention – Bias in Evidence-Based Assessment and What Do We Do About It? (Session #1598: 2023 ASHA Convention).

Implementation of Clinical Research and Implementation Science

• Dissemination and Implementation Travel Award (DISTAnce) is a research mentoring program that supports CSD scientists to incorporate implementation science into their next federal research grant proposal. The travel award provides funds to support awardees to attend the annual Conference on Dissemination and Implementation Science with a mentor who has expertise in implementation science and who commits to consulting as the awardee prepares a research grant proposal. Twenty awardees have been supported over the five years that the program has been offered and 100% of those who participated between 2019–2022 have completed a timeline of grant preparation milestones leading to their submission of a grant proposal that incorporates implementation science.

Strategic Objective #4: Enhance service delivery across the continuum of care to increase value and access to services

Objective Owner

Monica Sampson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Chief Staff Officer for Speech-Language Pathology (msampson@asha.org)

Outcome

Enhanced service delivery across the continuum of care to increase value and access to services.

Highlights

• Service Delivery webpage includes access to resources on varied clinical practice, e.g., telepractice, functional goals using the ICF framework, and supervision tools/resources for practice and mentoring assistants.
• Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
  • Launched web resource incorporating user experience survey research describing social determinants of health, the role of the clinician, tools and supports, and additional resources.
  • Held two focus groups addressing member familiarity and needs related to SDOH.
  • Developed “Get the Big Picture” visuals for website, QR cards, print resources, and ads.
  • Shared QR cards at related professional organizations for nursing and public health audiences.
  • Developed marketing plan to begin in January 2024.
  • Members of SLP Practices completed SDOH-related presentations at NBASLH and state association meetings.
• The Supervision Hub was created to be a central resource for all information related to supervision and mentorship of graduate clinicians, clinical fellows, and assistants. Ten free webinars/conversations on supervisions have been curated within the hub to provide additional information to members.
• ASHA’s developmental milestones have been updated. Feeding and swallowing milestones are included for children from birth to age three (feeding milestones have been translated into Spanish), and communication milestones for children from birth to age five for children learning to speak English in the U.S.
• GAPP continues to monitor state legislation and regulations related to assistants to support licensing/credentialing in alignment with ASHA's C-SLPA and changes to telepractice post-pandemic.
  • 2023: Three states have passed laws and/or regulations accepting ASHA’s C-SLPA as an option for meeting some, or all, of their licensing/credentialing requirements. This includes AR, AZ, CO, ID, IL, MD, OK, NC, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, and WY.

• The ASHA certification program for assistants in audiology and speech-language pathology continues to grow.

  • As of January 2024, a total of 1,000 assistants have been awarded certification.
  • Mentoring program for assistants in audiology and speech-language pathology and activities at Convention in Boston.

Strategic Objective #5: Increase influence and demonstrated value of audiology and speech-language pathology services

Objective Owner

Neela Swanson, Senior Director, Health Care & Education Policy (nswanson@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA members play an active role in reimbursement processes, effectively demonstrating the value of their services, and empowering and educating patients and clients to understand access and reimbursement.

Highlights

• The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Compact has been adopted in 31 states. The Compact Commission has established Executive, Finance, and Rules committees, implemented bylaws, and adopted rules for compact operations. The Commission is currently working with a vendor to develop a data system that’s expected to be finalized by late 2024 or early 2025. Once completed, states will be able to interface with the data system and begin issuing compact privileges to practice, which is equivalent to a state license.
• 2 of 8 planned coding and payment educational modules have been built and have completed testing. The first 2 modules are undergoing final edits and review and will go live in the second quarter of 2024. Content development is ongoing for the remaining modules.
• Planning is underway for the 6th annual ASHA Payer Summit, which will bring together national payers, utilization management companies, and state Medicaid programs to discuss audiology and speech-language pathology coverage, coding, and policy issues. The location and date have been finalized. The event is slated to occur September 25-27, 2024 in Washington, DC.
• We have 205 Grasstops Envoys as of April 2024.
• Capitol Hill Day 2024: 80 volunteer leaders from the Board of Directors, Committee of Ambassadors, and ASHA-PAC Board participated in more than 145 congressional meetings on May 8 to advocate for the professions. Members sought congressional support for the following legislation:
• The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (H.R. 6445/S. 2377), which would expand Medicare coverage of services provided by audiologists.
• The Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 3875/S. 2880), which would add audiologists and SLPs as permanent Medicare telehealth providers.
• The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722), which would expand qualified expenses under 529 education savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs, such as professional certifications.
• The States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment Act (H.R. 1310), which would cut federal red tape so interstate compacts can grant practice privileges in a timely manner.

Strategic Objective #6: Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the Association and the discipline

Objective Owner

Megan-Brette Hamilton, PhD, CCC-SLP, Chief Staff Officer for Multicultural Affairs (mhamilton@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA has implemented equitable practices and CSD is a more diverse and inclusive discipline.

• ASHA’s standards and systems improve the quality of care for all populations and increase access to and inclusion in the discipline.
• ASHA offers tools and resources for enhancing professional interactions across race/ethnicity.
• ASHA’s membership is more diverse.

Highlights

• The Taking Action Against Microaggressions course series is available. This series covers information on recognizing, experiencing, witnessing, and combatting microaggressions. The course content is available for free on the ASHA website, and ASHA members who want to earn CE credit may do so by subscribing to the ASHA Learning Pass.
• A collection of articles, resources, and webinars on culturally responsive teaching and learning (CRTL) in higher education for academic, clinical, and research education in communication sciences and disorders is now available and open to submissions.
• ASHA has developed a resource page, State Mandates Around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, that highlights the number of states that have passed legislation in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. ASHA continues to track states across the U.S. that are introducing discriminatory legislation that may impact the ability of audiologists and speech-language pathologists to provide services.
• The updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statement was developed and posted to ASHA’s website. This new statement includes aspects of equity which were not in the previous DEI statement.
• CFCC has approved a requirement as a part of certification maintenance focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural competence, cultural humility, or culturally responsive practice.This requirement went into effect January 1, 2023.
• CAA modified standard 3.4A/B in 2021 to more fully incorporate concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion—not just across the curriculum in terms of reflecting the diversity of society, but affording opportunities for program faculty and staff, as well as students, to assess their own cultural biases, as well as recognize the impact and interaction of cultural and linguistic variables along with social determinants of health. After undergoing extensive peer review, these standards' revisions went into effect January 1, 2023.
• ASHAWire developed a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Special Collection, which is a curated selection of more than 40 articles and podcasts.
• Successful integration of accessibility production services for journals is now well-established. New articles have been published in a fully Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards-compliant manner.
• The ASHA Leader has curated a Leader DEI topic collection that includes coverage of DEI topics in communication sciences and disorders. Topics range from FAQs about multilingual assessment, to legislation for gender-affirming voice treatment, to inclusive language and implicit bias related to dialect.
• The Hearing and Speech Career microsite has been re-launched. The site promotes the professions to individuals from under-represented racial/ethnic populations, males, and bi/multilingual service providers and provides information about careers in CSD while focusing on diverse representation in the discipline.
• The microsite Have You Heard continues towards development with an anticipated launch date in spring/summer 2024. The microsite is an equity action and accountability platform where users can report efforts and share ideas for systemic changes that promote DEI in their organizations/facilities.
• The Ad Hoc Committee on Bilingual Service Delivery submitted a final report, Competencies, Expectations, and Recommendations for Multilingual Service Delivery. The Board supported recommendations related to ensuring all clinicians have the support, tools, and resources needed to appropriately serve their clients, patients, and students when multiple languages are involved.
• ASHA provided a free DEI course during the month of March 2024. The course, Redefining the Work: Passion, People, and Perspective, is available on ASHA’s Learning Pass for .05 CEUs.
• ASHA has modified and expanded the options for demographic categories so that members can accurately self-identify. These categories went into effect April 2023. Members are encouraged to update their demographic information on their account, which can be done thoughout the year.
• ASHA continues to collaborate with AAA, APTA, and AOTA to champion the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act. The legislation would provide grants to increase opportunities for individuals who are from underrepresented backgrounds, including students who are from racial/ethnic minority groups, in the professions of audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and speech-language pathology.

Strategic Objective #7: Enhance international engagement

Objective Owner

Lily Waterston, MA, Director, International Programs (lwaterston@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA is engaged internationally with service providers, educators, scientists and other groups to proliferate research, and improve professional preparation and service delivery.

Highlights

• Partnering with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen knowledge and build capacity of professionals and organizations that address communication disorders in selected countries. These are: Honduras, El Salvador, Guyana, Paraguay, Belize, and Ecuador. ASHA submitted an application to renew its official status as Non-State Actor (NSA) of PAHO for another three years (2024–2026). Approval is pending until PAHO executive Committee meeting in June 2024. The International Issues Board established the ASHA–PAHO Collaboration Advisory Subcommittee for one year. The Subcommittee has been extended for another year. It will end on December 31, 2024, and will provide a set of recommendations to the IIB.
• Increasing the outreach and numbers of the International Affiliates (IAs): 575 IAs in 63 countries as of 12/31/23. Developing resources and regional strategies to better serve this audience, improve exchanges, and increase affiliation.
• Collaborating with WHO for public awareness campaigns. In partnership with the Hearing Loss Association of America, ASHA conducted a digital campaign to promote World Hearing Day (March 3).
• Partnering with international organizations for joint conferences in different regions of the world: in 2023, ASHA partnered with the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) for its Congress on August 24–26, 2023 in New Zealand. This year ASHA is partnerring with the Emirates Speech-Language Pathology Society (ESLPS) for its congress scheduled for September 7–8, 2024 in Dubai, UAE.
• Participating in WHO and PAHO high-level meetings: In 2023, ASHA participated in the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 and World Rehabilitation Alliance meetings, PAHO Executive Committee meeting, PAHO Directing Council meeting (hybrid), WHO World Hearing Forum meeting.
• Increasing publications from authors outside the U.S.: As of 12/31/23, there are 864 international authors in ASHA journals (including Perspectives). The ASHA Journals Academy includes information on translation services and resources for non-English speakers. Launched “Paperpal Preflight,” a service to provide authors automated editorial review of their manuscripts prior to submission. This is especially valuable for the success of international authors.

Strategic Objective #8: Increase members' cultural competence

Objective Owner

Karen Beverly-Ducker, MA, CCC-A, CAE, Senior Director of Multicultural Practices (KBeverlyDucker@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA members competently address cultural/linguistic influences on service delivery outcomes.

Highlights

• Revisions continue to be made to multiple ASHA Practice Portal pages, e.g. Adult Aural Rehabilitation, ASD Disorder, Childhood Fluency, Counseling, Hearing Aids for Adults, Pediatric Dysphagia, and Right Hemisphere Disorder using a culturally responsive lens. Reviews have been completed on several pages, e.g. Documentation of Audiology Services and Childhood Hearing Screening. Work continues on the development of new pages, e.g. NICU Services and Gender-Affirming Services.
• With a completion date of December 2024, Interim Progress Reports have been received for the 4 projects funded via the 2024 Grant Program for Projects on Multicultural Activities: "Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Implications of and Solutions for Homophily in Communication Sciences and Disorders," Erin Meier (Northeastern University) and Shannon Sheppard (University of Washington, Seattle); "Measuring Total Vocabulary in Mandarin-English Bilingual Toddlers Using Parent Checklists: Initial Reference Data and Psychometric Properties," Ling-Yu Guo (University at Buffalo, SUNY); "Preschool Autism Communication Education (PACE): Pragmatic Language for Autistic Children in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Educational Settings," D’Jaris Coles-White (Western Michigan University); "Undergraduate CSD Recruitment: Identifying the Most Effective Strategy to Recruit Minority Students," Brooke Holt, Sena Crutchley, Joya Robertson, and Emily Hamuka (UNC Greensboro).
• In conjunction with Strategic Objectives #2, 3, 4, 6 & 9, close-out activities are underway for the ASHA Faculty Development Institute (AFDI). The 2019 and 2021 cohort members have submitted their implementation plans for curricular enhancements in their identified focus area In conjunction with SO #6, cultural competence/responsiveness reports are being reviewed and plans for dissemination are being developed including via a proposed 2024 Faculty Summit.
• The Jewish Caucus is the most recent group to join 9 other multicultural constituency groups (MCCGs; Asian Pacific Islander, Disability, Haitian, Hispanic, L’GASP, Middle East and North Africa, NBASLH, Native American, and South Asian). MCCGs are allied/related professional organizations that are independent of ASHA. Each MCCG focuses on an identified population and addresses the client/patient/professional/student perspective of that population. A proposal to form a Male Caucus has been finalized and will soon be added to the list.
• The 2023 New Practitioners Cultural Responsiveness Education Survey was sent to 1,642 CCC-A holders and 25,432 CCC-SLP holders who graduated between September 25, 2019, and September 25, 2022, and have 5 or fewer years of ASHA membership. The survey results indicated continued movement in the desired direction towards the intended target of 80% of Early Career Professionals who report actions and approaches indicative of cultural competence/responsiveness.
• A recent review of resource/information dissemination efforts revealed:
  • 216 requests submitted to OMA for technical assistance
  • 217,043 page views on OMA pages
  • 73,612 page views on That’s Unheard Of
  • 5 email blasts with a total open rate of 9,897 with a click thru rate of 1.04%
  • 1,359,999 impressions with 8,381 sessions on Facebook
  • 257,141 impressions and 3,497 sessions on LinkedIn

Strategic Objective #9: Transform learning across the discipline

Objective Owner

Donna Fisher Smiley, PhD, CCC-A, Chief Staff Officer for Audiology (DSmiley@asha.org)

Outcome

ASHA has created and advanced a learning ecosystem that supports members’ ability to proactively navigate change and thrive professionally through life-long learning.

Highlights

• Current work on SO#9 is focused on Transformational Initiative #1: Develop and implement a competency framework for the professions
• Work continues in the following areas:
  • Education of and promotion to members and other stakeholder groups regarding a competency-based approach (presentations at conferences and to various committees, boards and councils)
  • Working with a consultant to develop two competency frameworks – one for each profession
    • Kick off meeting for the steering committee is scheduled for June 2024
  • Refinement of entry-level competencies via the Curriculum and Practice Analysis (CAPA) for both professions
    • Audiology CAPA
      • Report was delivered to ASHA in October 2023
      • CAA & CFCC are reviewing report
    • Speech-Language Pathology CAPA
      • Report was delivered to ASHA in March 2024
      • CAA & CFCC are reviewing report