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SEAL (State Education Advocacy Leader)
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Committee News
ASHA SEAL
Stacey Palant, M.A., CCC-SLP ([email protected])
SEAL Report: July-September 2026
The ASHA State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEAL) are appointed by ASHA-recognized state speech-language-hearing associations to advocate on education issues. The SEAL’s role is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings. (ASHA State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs)
September 2026
School Services Updates
- ASHA Resources & Tools: Updates include a newly revised Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) resource, the rollout of the enhanced ASHA Workload Calculator (now available as an exclusive web application for ASHA members to support workload discussions with administrators), and the upcoming release of the 2026 ASHA Schools Survey results.
- Focus Groups & Engagement: A behavior management focus group is scheduled for October 21, 2026.
- Recognition: The ASHA State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) recognized Eileen Crowe for over 20 years of dedicated service to ASHA as she transitions into retirement.
- Practice Discussions: The group engaged in discussions around evaluation requirements and eligibility—specifically universal screeners for kindergartners and preschool special education identification—alongside strategies for helping administrators understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of SLPs compared to teaching staff.
- Looking Ahead: The October 2026 call will feature Bill Knudsen from the HCEP team to discuss ASHA’s official comments to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.
August 2026
Practice Guidance & Member Resources
- Continuum of Services: As schedules and services are finalized, reference ASHA’s Continuum of Services resource to explore service delivery models that support students in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
- Dismissal Guidance: Review ASHA’s guidance on dismissal from school-based speech-language services for data-informed decision-making when reviewing student progress and communicating with IEP teams.
- Workload Calculator: Capture both direct and indirect services as well as compliance activities using the single, streamlined ASHA Workload Calculator application.
- School SLP Office Hours: Connect with ASHA staff and guest experts during monthly office hours. Recordings of past events are accessible in the ASHA School-Based Professionals Community.
- Upcoming Survey Results: Keep an eye out for the 2026 Schools Survey findings this fall, which will offer nationwide insights on workload, staffing, service delivery, and compensation trends.
Featured Initiative: ASHA’s "The Century Ahead: Empower, Implement, Evolve"
- "As ASHA enters its second century, 2026 ASHA Board President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, EdD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, is spotlighting members and students who Empower each other, Implement innovative ideas, and Evolve our professions with purpose." The Century Ahead movement celebrates community-driven progress in research, education, and clinical practice across communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Share Your Story:Submit your experience to the Century Ahead Story Form
July 2026
ASHA Initiatives & Learning Exchange
- ASHA Schools Learning Exchange: Featured presentations by Dr. Lissa Power-deFur (on eligibility and dismissal) and Dr. Christina Bradburn (on dynamic service delivery).
- Workload Calculator: The updated web application features an interactive dashboard to help school-based SLPs dynamically track, calculate, and advocate for balanced workloads.
- Events & Learning: September 21, 2026: School SLP Office Hours; September 24, 2026: Workload Calculator Tutorial
Member Opportunities & Action Items
- Early Childhood Member Advisory Group: ASHA is seeking members interested in addressing the Part C to Part B transition. To apply, send your resume and statement of interest to Lauren Arner at [email protected].
- Volunteer Opportunities: Additional volunteer positions are open across various ASHA committees and advisory groups.
Contact ASHA School Services Team
Have questions about school-based practice? Reach out directly:
- NJSHA SEAL: Stacey Palant, [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
- ASHA Action Center: 800-498-2071 (Ask to speak with the School Services in Speech-Language Pathology Team)
ASHA Team Leadership:
- Tiffany White, MEd, CCC-SLP — Senior Director
- Lauren Arner, MA, CCC-SLP — Director
- Stacey Ellison Glasgow, MA, CCC-SLP — Director
- Lisa Rai Mabry-Price, MS, CCC-SLP — Director
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