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Background

WVSHA's Public School Committee applied for and received a grant from ASHA to support efforts in WV for improving recruitment and retention of qualified SLPs in WV public schools.  The grant was written as a collaborative effort between WVSHA, the WV State Department of Education, public school SLPs at large, and institutions of higher learning that provide Speech/Language Pathology programs at the Master's level (West Virginia University and Marshall University).  The "West Virginia Advisory Council on Recruitment/Retention of Public School Speech Language Pathologists" was formed in July of 2007 and is funded by ASHA, WVSHA and the WV State Department of Education.  The terms of the grant were for one year, however the Advisory Group hopes to establish long term goals for continued efforts.

Mission Statement

The goal of this council is to provide support at all levels (higher education, state, and county) that improves retention/recruitment (R/R) of fully-certified Speech-Language Pathologist’s (SLPs) to ensure appropriate speech/language services to all children with need in WV.

Goals

More effectively recruit graduate student SLPs at the university level. Improve linkage/communication between universities and working SLPs/LEAs (e.g., mentoring, job fairs, job postings at universities, public school forums at universities - possibly Kathy K and/or an SLP). To investigate ways to increase the number of students at the graduate level at WVU and Marshall, including researching funding sources. Development of a packet of materials to distribute statewide (special ed. directors, superintendents, SLPs, etc.) that lists R/R strategies that can be used by counties. Survey SLPs (What do you like about your job? What incentives would you like to see offered?, etc.) Look at recruitment materials from other states, ASHA, etc.  Increase recruitment tools available. Use WVSHA resources (e.g., website, listservs, etc.) Use state resources (e.g., Kathy Knighton, K-12 job bank) Other resources (e.g., ASHA job bank, teacher.com, etc.)