This is the Newsletter of the
Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association

 
Dawn Kutney, Editor
790 W. Lake Lansing Rd.
Suite 400
East Lansing, Michigan  48823
email address:  msha@att.net
Website: www.michiganspeechhearing.org

For more information, check out:
https://twitter.com/MshaLang
https://www.facebook.com/groups/66120189785/
https://www.instagram.com/mshalang/
www.linkedin.com/company/mi-speech-language-hearing-association
www.pinterest.com/mshalang/
   
   For more information on how you can be involved with MSHA or to contact the board members visit: 

www.michiganspeechhearing.org

Back to top

    MSHA is one of the oldest-established Speech-Language-Hearing Associations in the country and in 2019 we will celebrate our 80th Anniversary at the 2019 MSHA Conference at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.  Throughout the year we will highlight aspects of our history that we hope you will appreciate and enjoy.  One way you can honor our longevity is by continuing to be the life-blood of our organization!  Renew your dues!

   MSHA members look for your Dues Renewal Cards in the mail any time now.  Thank you for renewing your MSHA Membership!  You will notice we have not raised dues in 26 years - now that is something you don't hear every day!  You recently voted to approve some changes in our membership categories to better reflect our professional classifications.  Those changes are:  1) Professional (replaces “Active”); 2) Affiliate (replaces “Associate”); 3) Student CCC (to differentiate between undergraduate and graduate students, with doctoral students); 4) Student Non-CCC (to replace “Student”); and 5) Life, which remains the same as before. 

   MSHA continues to be the state association for Speech-Language-Pathologists and Audiologists in Michigan.  MSHA strives to serve you - to provide professional support and development, public awareness, and advocacy for professionals in communication sciences and disorders and the individuals you serve.

   Thank you for your continued support of MSHA!

Back to top

 

MSHA Executive Board:
President:
Lisa L. Register, M.A., CCC-SLP
President-Elect: 
Greg Spray, M.A., CCC-SLP
Past President: 
Natalie Douglas,  Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Secretary:
Katharine LaPierriere, M.A., CCC-SLP
Treasurer:
Sherry Riedel, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for Advocacy:
Kelli Pierce, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for Audiology Services:
Open
VP for Membership:
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for Professional Dev & Education:
Jacqueline Gale, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP Elect for Prof Dev & Education:
Amy Prichard Sova, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for Public Relations:
Erica Neller, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for SLP/Healthcare:
Rosalyn Davis, M.S., CCC-SLP
VP for SLP/Public Schools:
Alyssa Webster, M.A., CCC-SLP

MSHA Advisory Assembly:
Audiology Practice:
Open
Communications and Networking:
Sarah Killinger, M.A., CCC-SLP
Continuing Education:
Sarah Choss, M.A., CCC-SLP
Ethics & Standards:
Open
SLP Healthcare:
Rosalyn Davis, M.A., CCC-SLP
SLP Public School:
Alyssa Webster, M.A., CFY-SLP
Student Affairs:
Callan Gavigan, M.A., CFY-SLP
MSHA Members-at-Large
N.W. Michigan:
Michelle Baumgartner, M.A., CCC-SLP
S.E. Michigan:
Courtney Halbower, M.A., CCC-SLP
S.W. Michigan:
Open
N.E. Michigan:
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP
Upper Peninsula:
Kelli Pfiester, M.A., CFY-SLP
Member-at-Large Representing Students:
Annie Warbritton, B.S., Western Michigan University
ASHA Advisory Councilors:
SLP: Cary Cekola, M.A.,CCC-SLP
AUD:  Margot Beckerman, Au.D., CCC-A
Back to top
 

MSHA Conference 2019:
March 21-23, 2019,
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing

MSHA Conference 2020: (tentative)
March 19-21, 2020
MotorCity Convention Center and Hotel, Detroit

MSHA Conference 2021: 
March 18-20, 2021
Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel (tentative as of this date)  

The next et cetera newsletter will be emailed to all MSHA members in early January.  The Preliminary Program which contains all of the MSHA Conference information will be mailed out to all MSHA and ASHA members in Michigan in early January as well.

Back to top

   Please join us for Central Michigan University’s M.A. Speech-Language Pathology Open House on Friday, October 5th from 1:00-3:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to interact with our program faculty, tour our state-of-the-art facilities, and actively participate in informational breakout sessions about our curriculum, clinic and clinical placement options and research opportunities. Please RSVP by September 28, 2018 to reserve your spot. We look forward to meeting you soon!

https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CHP/hp_academics/communications_disorders/academic_programs/speech-language_pathology/Pages/SLP-Open-House.aspx Back to top

   We will again sponsor an Alumni/Community CEU this fall.  The date is Friday November 2, 2018.  The topic is to be determined. Please mark your calendars. Our CEU programs are one small way we have to thank our alumni and community partners for their past and current support of the CSD Program at WSU. We hope that many alumni and off campus/internship supervisors will be able to attend the workshop.  There is no charge for the workshop and your only costs will be parking ($7.50) and lunch is on your own. ASHA CEU’s will be available. Registration information will be emailed to all of you in late August-early September.  Feel free to RSVP early if you wish.  RSVP to ksoleary@wayne.edu 

Back to top

   Western Michigan University's Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences has a new Chairperson:  Laura S. DeThorne, Ph.D., CCC-SLP 

   After working as a speech-language pathologist, Laura DeThorne received her Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science in 2002. She served on faculty at the University of Illinois for 13 years, including administrative appointments as the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Head of Speech and Hearing Science. Dr. DeThorne’s research examines the multiple factors that shape children’s communicative competence in everyday contexts, with a particular interest in the social communication practices related to autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and use of augmentative and alternative communication. She has served as an associate editor for the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and has reviewed grants for a variety of national and international agencies. Her work has been funded by NICHD, U.S. Department of Education, and private foundations. Dr. DeThorne particularly enjoys student mentoring and was recently invited to serve as a mentor for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Pathways Program. She has also received awards for excellence in both graduate and undergraduate teaching.  

   Welcome Laura DeThorne to Michigan - to MSHA - and we wish you the very best.  Hope you will consider sharing your expertise at the MSHA Conference!

Back to top
 

   You are invited to the Graduate Application Open House if you are interested in applying for the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology in the Departm​ent of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University. The Graduate Application Open House will begin at 10:00 am on October 5, 2018. The program will conclude around 12:00 pm.
 
   The Graduate Application Open House will include information on the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology curricula, clinical training programs, faculty research, the CSD facility and the application process.  Applicants will have the chance to meet with faculty members and graduate students, have their questions answered in person, and visit the clinics. 
 
  Location:  Rackham Library 2nd Floor (60 Farnsworth next to the DIA) Parking is available in a structure attached to the back of the building on Warren (parking structures #3 http://campusmap.wayne.edu/).  The parking structure accepts only credit cards.  There is also metered street parking in front of the building on Farnsworth. Please also refer to other parking lots nearby, such as other WSU parking structures and DIA parking.
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Denise Walker at 313-577-3339, or email at csdgradapplications@wayne.edu 

Back to top

   Bridget Walsh, Ph.D.,  CCC-SLP has joined the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Walsh’s overarching research interest focuses on how neural, physiological, and behavioral factors influence speech production across the lifespan, in typically developing speakers and in individuals with speech disorders such as stuttering. 

   She comes from Purdue University where she was a research scientist in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Working on a grant from the National Institutes of Health, she has studied the neural mechanisms that contribute to stuttering in children.

  "Converging evidence from nearly two decades of neuroimaging research in adults who stutter reveals subtle and diffuse differences in both the structure and function of the brain networks involved in speech production," Walsh says. "However, we know far less about neural activity for speech in children who stutter, whose brains are markedly different from adults' as they are undergoing developmental growth and refinement. We don't know if the differences we see in adults who stutter are the cause of stuttering or the result of years of persistence and compensation."

   Welcome Bridget and we hope to see you at MSHA sharing your expertise and ideas with our MSHA Members!

Back to top

      We cordially invite all those interested to be an Exhibitor at MSHA at the 2019 MSHA Annual Conference in East Lansing!   All the necessary forms to register are on our MSHA website at www.michiganspeechhearing.org or click here for the Exhibits Form.

      Exhibiting at MSHA allows for networking between those who sell products used by SLPs and AUDs, with those who wish to hire someone, or to be hired. Our MSHA Program Book is a great way to advertise if you’re in a private practice, or you’re looking to hire someone, or you wish to advertise your program or continuing education activities.  It’s also a great way to support MSHA as the revenue helps defray the expense of the conference.   Click here for the MSHA Ads Form.
     
     We already have some great vendors who will be at the Kellogg Center in 2019 and hope to add more vendors that you want to visit!  So if there is a company you like or are interested in please let us know at the MSHA Office so that we ask them to come to East Lansing next year.  The Kellogg Center has a beautiful exhibits hall and we can offer a great experience for any vendor.

Back to top

   Enjoy these glimpses into another great MSHA Conference!  Hope to see you there next year in East Lansing!







Top: Ashley Gutowski and Rosalyn Davis                           
Below: Cary Cekola and Tim Weise







Top: Rebecca Clawson and Salma Martinez
Below: Donna Payne and Tim Cook                                                        









Top: Darah Regal and Alexandra Wiist 
Below: Student Roundtable Discussion                                                       

                                           






Top: Brian McTaggart and Sandy Glista
Below: Fun at the Raffle







MSHF Board 2018







Thanks to our Sponsors!

Back to top

Dear MSHA Membership,
  
    As we begin another school year, I am reminded of the many hats we wear.  Not only are we clinicians, supervisors, students, professors, business owners, researchers, organizers, authors, department chairs, directors and members of professional organizations, we are also friends, partners, spouses, parents, grandparents, advocates and caregivers.  Thank you for your participation in MSHA and wearing the MSHA member hat.

   I was pleased to participate in our day at the State Capitol this past May.  We were joined by recent graduates and seasoned professionals that spent time meeting with our state senators and representatives.  A special thank you to our MSHA staff members Dawn and Kim, our lobbyist, Noah, and Kelli Pierce, M.A., CCC-SLP, our VP for Advocacy to ensure we were prepared for those meetings.  Kelli also recently shared that as of August 31st, SLPs are able to enroll in CHAMPS for insurance billing and are able to request a retroactive enrollment date of up to 1/1/18.  This CHAMPS enrollment for SLPs has been months in the making and is great news for our profession!

   The transition from summer to fall in Michigan is one of my favorite times of year.  I’m excited for our MSHA membership renewal season.  Thank you to those who voted in support of the changes in our membership categories.  Thank you to Greg Spray, M.A., CCC-SLP. our former VP for Membership and our current President-Elect who researched surrounding state organization membership categories prior to our vote over the summer.  I’d like to welcome Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP to her new role as VP for Membership.   

   We are receiving updates from Jacqueline Gale, M.A., CCC-SLP and Amy Prichard Sova, M.A., CCC-SLP, our VPs for Professional Development and Education as they tirelessly work to prepare and finalize details for our annual conference at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, March 21-23, 2019 (see the article below) and for our future conference locations.  Thanks to all of you who helped with our survey about a potential conference site in Detroit.

   I look forward to celebrating 80 years of MSHA with you at the conference this spring!

   I am inspired by you and the other professionals that I have the opportunity to serve alongside during my term as MSHA president.  The grace, tenacity and dedication given to our state organization is humbling.  Keep up the excellent work!

Sincerely,
Lisa L. Register, M.A., CCC-SLP 
MSHA President
Lansing School District

  
Back to top

Back to top

   The MSHA Health Care Committee is excited for their Fall Conference: ETHICS AND SUPERVISION,  held this Thursday, September 27, 2018 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, Michigan, from 4:00  - 7:15 pm.   You can still register now or on-site!

Featuring speakers:
Kathryn Hillenbrand, M.A., CCC-SLP
Master Faculty Specialist and Coordinator of Clinical Education
Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Western Michigan University
Former Coordinator for 16 years
Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic
 
Karen S. O'Leary, M.A., CCC-SLP
Director, Wayne State University Speech and Language Clinics
Clinical Coordinator for Speech Language Pathology
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Wayne State University

   Registration begins at 3:30 pm.  This course is offered for .03 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate to Advanced Level.  COST: $50 ­for a MSHA Member; $60 for a Non-MSHA Member. 

   Conference Location:  St. Joseph Mercy Hospital,Michigan Heart and Vascular Institute Auditorium,   5325 Elliott Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
 
For further information,please contact:
Rosalyn Davis at:
(313) 832-9032
or the MSHA office 517-332-5691.
 
Online registration available at www.michiganspeechhearing.org
 
Back to top
 

    The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences of the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University is pleased as the 36th Annual Van Riper Lecture Series scheduled for October 25 and October 26, 2018, approaches. This lecture series focuses on SLP Practice in the Schools: Contextualizing Interventions and Implementing Policies and brings two national experts to campus. Teresa Ukrainetz, Ph.D., Professor & Division Chair for Speech-Language Pathology, Dept. of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education at Utah State University will present a series of lectures devoted to discussing Contextualized Expository Skill Intervention: Strategic Choices to Develop Strategic Learners. Dr. Jaumeiko Coleman, Director of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) School Services team also will present topics related to Federal policy and legislation implications for school-based speech-language pathologists. Details for on campus and for remote streaming registration are posted on the Department's website found here - https://wmich.edu/speech-audiology

Questions may be directed to the Van Riper Lectures Committee at 269-387-8045 or spaa-info@wmich.edu

Back to top

   We are pleased to offer this new feature to our newsletter which will highlight exciting research projects going on in our Michigan Universities by our amazing Speech-Language Pathologists!  We invite you all to let us hear from you about your projects - just submit your article to the MSHA Office at msha@att.net

   Our premiere spotlight is on Central Michigan University, Department of Communication Disorders, featuring Katie Strong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.  Enjoy!

Narrative and Identity Work at Central Michigan University
   Greetings! My name is Katie Strong. I’m an Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University (CMU). I’ve been asked to share a bit about my research with MSHA membership. My research interests currently investigate how personal narratives (i.e., stories about a person’s life) support the renegotiation of identity in persons with aphasia or traumatic brain injury (TBI). I’m also interested in the role that clinicians play this process.
Stories are an integral part of our lives as humans. Our concept of who we are is based largely on making a coherent story of our past experiences, present situation, and future goals. These evolving stories are the principle vehicle by which we make meaning out of our experiences and through which we develop our identity. Making meaning out of traumatic life events can contribute to a healthier identity.

   Language and communication play an important role in a person’s ability to create and tell a story about themselves and the telling of stories is critical for social interaction. However, people with communication impairments, as in the case of aphasia, are disadvantaged in participating in this social, meaning-making experience due to their reduced language capacity — a necessary tool in storytelling. Interest in how the process of creating stories relates to identity renegotiation and improved health related quality of life has gained interest in aphasia research.

   My research is qualitative in nature as this allows for understanding the experience of the participants. I have created a story construction protocol and participants reported this experience as a meaningful opportunity to actively contemplate their life with aphasia and look forward to the future.1 I’ve submitted a grant to expand this project in partnership with Calvin College. Additionally for the past two years, I’ve partnered for with Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center examining a process they use to construct and share stories with individuals who have had traumatic brain injury.

   A new project in the works is related to explore how songwriting might contribute to a stronger sense of well-bring and identity for people with aphasia. The project will use an established songwriting protocol to provide interdisciplinary services with music therapy and speech-language pathology to create three songs (i.e., past self, present self, and future self) about their life. This project is currently under review from CMU’s Institutional Review Board and we hope to begin recruiting for this project in early 2019.

   I’m fortunate to have a fantastic crew of CMU students who provide project support. This semester two graduate research assistants are helping me run the lab. These students are also pursuing thesis projects related to narratives and identity. Additionally, seven undergraduate students each volunteer 5-hours a week. They provide support with transcribing videos related to our projects. Students report enjoying working in lab as they gain experience in transcription and exposure to people with aphasia and TBI. Students can also develop related research projects leading to poster presentations. Last year our lab had four posters at MSHA. We also have one poster that will be presented this November at ASHA. This project is entitled: Picturing Stroke Stories: Classifying Online Stroke Stories to Display as Word Clouds. If you are going to Boston stop by and say hi!

   If you are interested in learning more about story co-construction or you think you might like to partner with a project, please contact Katie Strong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP stron4ka@cmich.edu  989-774-7290.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1Strong, K., Lagerwey, M., & Shadden, B. (2018).  More than a story: My life came back to life. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27, 464-476.

Back to top
 

Some Things you Might Not Know About Why We Have MSHA Conferences Where We Do
 ... and MSHA Conference in 2020:  Your Questions and Answers
 
   Thanks to all of you who responded to our recent email survey about hosting the 2020 MSHA Conference at the MotorCity Hotel in Detroit.  We received about a 25% response from our members and some really good questions were asked.   The majority of you said YES to meeting in Detroit in 2020 and we are negotiating now, so thank you!
 
Here are some of your questions which are not only about the 2020 conference, but about MSHA conferences in general.
 
Q: Will we have discounted sleeping room rates at this hotel?
 
A:  Yes!  We always have discounted rates for our guests at the hotels we choose for MSHA Conferences.  Your individual room cost at MotorCity Hotel will be $149.00, which is very close to what we pay at other hotels. And we negotiate reduced rental space by agreeing to fill our block of hotel rooms, which is why it is always preferable that our members stay on site.  Meeting in Detroit though will give our metro-Detroit area members the option of either driving in for the day, or for making it a weekend get-away by staying at the hotel.
 
Q:  Parking availability and cost are important to me.  What are our options?
 
A:  Free parking for all those who attend the 2020 MSHA Conference at MotorCity, regardless of whether you are staying at the hotel.  MotorCity is easy to drive to and easy to park at.
 
Q:  What about the Wifi Rates? 
 
A:  Free at MotorCity for all MSHA Conference attendees regardless of whether they’re staying at the hotel.
  
Q: Why don’t we go to upper Michigan for MSHA, like Grand Traverse Resort?
 
A:  We have found that MSHA members will not drive to northern parts of Michigan in March.  We would not have a large enough attendance to justify the expense of the MSHA Conference, as in meeting room costs, AV, food, and all the costs associated with a MSHA Conference.
 
Q:  Why don’t you meet more often in Grand Rapids?
 
A:  The costs of hosting in Grand Rapids are very high.  We met there in 2016 and though we had a wonderful conference, it was very expensive.  And not just to MSHA but to our individual members.  Parking was $27/day at the Amway Hotel and you complained.  But we will continue to look at hotels in Grand Rapids to find better deals because it is such a wonderful city and you expressed the desire to go there.
 
Q:  Why don’t we meet in Macomb or Oakland County?  What about Ann Arbor?
 
A:  Macomb County has no hotel that could accommodate us, and we did meet at the Troy Marriott in 2017, and may go back even though we were very crowded there in our meeting rooms.  We have also looked at hotels in Dearborn but we were very crowded last time we met at The Henry Hotel.  There is no hotel in Ann Arbor that can accommodate our meeting space needs.  Hotel costs are much higher in downtown Detroit, but MotorCity is offering some great options for us which is why we are considering it for 2020.
 
Q:  I am concerned about second-hand smoke at MotorCity.
 
A:  At our site visit there last week, we were impressed how clean the air was.  Our meeting rooms would be on a different level than the casino and the new technology of the air filtration system really is impressive.  For MotorCity, you could drive in, park your car, walk straight into the hotel and meeting area for the MSHA Conference, and not be near the casino or smell smoke. 
 
Q:  Will we have good places to eat during the day if we don’t go to the MSHA Luncheons?  And what about at night?
 
A:  Yes there are so many dining options at MotorCity and they are reasonably priced.  And if you do want to venture out, the city of Detroit is experiencing an amazing transformation and great restaurants are everywhere!  We always work with the local CVB (Convention and Visitor Bureau) to make it easy for our members to know what the local options are.  And we’ve arranged shuttle buses too so that our members can easily get out and about when they may not want to drive.  That feature was a big hit at the Troy Marriott.

Back to top
 

   The MSU Developmental Stuttering Project (funded by the NIH) is conducting a 5-year, longitudinal investigation to examine brain developmental trajectories in children who do and do not stutter.  This research is expected to lead to novel insights into the neural bases of stuttering during childhood. This research is currently being conducted at both the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and the Michigan State University (East Lansing) campuses. 
 
   We are currently recruiting children who are between 3-6 years of age, have been stuttering for more than 6 months, and are monolingual speakers of English. 
 
   We provide payment to parents for their time involved and transportation costs for long-distance participants. In addition, the team provides, at no cost, a comprehensive report of the child’s speech, language, hearing, and IQ assessments. They will also receive a picture of their child’s brain!
 
   To learn more about our study, please visit www.neurostutteringresearch.com or contact us at (517) 884-3277 or speechlabmsu@gmail.com

Back to top
 

   Congratulations to Elaine Ledwon-Robinson, M.S., CCC-SLP, who retired as Director of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Michigan Health System.  Elaine developed and has led the SLP Department for the past 43 years; there are now 45+ SLPs providing services at 10 sites within Michigan Medicine.  In 1989, she initiated the Milestones’ Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation program, a comprehensive outpatient program for children with acquired neurological impairment, for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  (Pictured above, l-r: Maureen Staskowski and Elaine Ledwon-Robinson.)  Elaine is one of 4 SLPs across the United States to hold pediatric and adult neurogenic communication board certification.  One of the founders of the Michigan Brain Injury Association, she was named an ASHA Fellow in 2011.  Elaine received MSHA Honors of the Association in 1997 and served as MSHA President in 2010.

   Best of luck to you Elaine in your future endeavors!  Thank you for all of your contributions to this profession, and to MSHA!

Back to top

   Congratulations to the following MSHA members who received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) during the period January through March  of 2018. The ACE is a formal recognition of professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning by earning 7.0 CEUs (70 contact hours) within a 36-month period. 

Karen Al-Saadi, M.S., CCC-SLP, Retired, Ann Arbor
Jill Bates, M.S., CCC-SLP, Calvin College
Alyssa Capeling, M.A., CCC-SLP, Wayne State University
Dawn Casselman, M.A., CCC-SLP, Calhoun ISD
Lori Coone-Eberling, M.A., CCC-SLP, Retired, Saginaw
Leslie DeNardis, M.A., CCC-SLP, Airport Community Schools
Caitlin Henige, M.A., CCC-SLP, PresenceLearning
Kristin Hicks, M.A., CCC-SLP, Michigan State University
Kristine Krajewski, M.A., CCC-SLP, Self-Employed
Maryellen Liening, M.A., CCC-SLP, Wayne State University
Lea Dawn Norbotten, M.A., CCC-SLP, Spectrum Health
Lisa L. Register, M.A., CCC-SLP, Lansing School District
Judith Rogan, M.A., CCC-SLP, Select Rehabilitation
Martha Scheuerman, M.A., CCC-SLP, Mercy Health Partners
MaryBeth Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP, Central Michigan University
Jaclyn Stencel, M.A., CCC-SLP, Beaumont Health System
Ashley Sturgis, M.A., CCC-SLP, Kentwood Public Schools
Stacy Vondra, M.A., CCC-SLP, Branch ISD
Mary Wietzke, M.A., CCC-SLP, VA Medical Center, Battle Creek

Back to top

   Effective January 1, 2018, licensed SLPs can enroll in the MDHHS Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS) and be directly reimbursed for covered speech-language services provided to eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. After months of communication with MDHHS, CHAMPS enrollment went through, effective 10/1/18.   Thanks to our legislators and those we talked with to further this coverage.  Our collaborative efforts produced results!
www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/MSA_18-29_631420_7.pdf

Back to top

   Kudos to former MSHA President Laura Lenkey, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Grand Valley State University, for her efforts to help complete the PSAs about IPP: Inter-Professional Practice.  A recent article in the ASHA Leader highlighted the achievement:
  https://leader.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2701788

  Here are links to the IPP videos and PSAs for our ASHA grant to the three state associations. These should be downloadable and usable as is.


Videos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h3iod01f4g42umt/AADmhg33FtUyx_x73lYdokvba?dl=0

PSAs:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/38qjuj28pqd0adn/AACeK1aERksWzSlpNPwKpcgra?dl=0​

Back to top

 Here are ANSWERS to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that LARA has responded to!  And a helpful link to their website: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Speech_Language_Pathology_FAQs_538247_7.pdf

Do I have to complete continuing education for renewal or relicensure?
Rule 338.627 adds the requirement of 20 continuous professional development credits (cpd) with at least 1 cpd credit in pain and symptom management in order to renew. This requirement began with the 2016 renewal cycle.  MSHA will offer classes ever year at our annual conferences to meet the requirements for either the Human Trafficking requirement, and/or the Pain Management cpd requirement.

Rules 338.621 and 338.623 add the requirement of acquiring not less than 20 cpd with at least 1 cpd credit in pain and symptom management within 2 years immediately preceding the date of application for relicensure for a full or limited license. This will be required for a relicensure application submitted on or after 10/1/2019.

Rule 338.629 lays out the acceptable cpd activities, requirements, and limitations.

When do I have to meet the requirements for the completion of training in identifying victims of human trafficking?

Rule 338.604 requires licensees to complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking began with the 2016 renewal cycle. This training requirement will need to be completed prior to the license renewal in 2018.

Applicants who apply for a license on or after March 16, 2021 will be required to have completed the required training in identifying victims of human trafficking. 

How long are the Speech-Language Pathology licenses issued for? Can I renew my license early? How will I know when I need to renew?

Your initial Speech-Language Pathology license is only good until the next expiration date of your profession (anywhere from 4 months to 1 year). After your first renewal, your license will be valid for 2 years. You will receive renewal information 45-60 days prior to the expiration date of your license and it will state the renewal fee required.

You cannot renew your license early. Our system is not set up to receive renewal information until the renewal time for your profession. We will mail you renewal information approximately 45-60 days before the expiration date of your current license. Remember to notify the Department in writing of any address changes you have. It is your responsibility to renew your license on time. Failure to notify us of an address change does not exempt you from renewing your license on time. You can renew online at www.michigan.gov/elicense Online renewal payments require you to pay with a credit card.

The link to the new administrative rules for SLP from LARA is http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1301_2013-103LR_AdminCode.pdf

Back to top