Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSLHA) is an organization that promotes professional excellence in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Mission: Empowering and connecting current and future professionals through advocacy, education, and leadership development, to foster equitable, inclusive, and culturally respectful collaboration with our communities.
Vision: An engaged and thriving community empowered to enrich communication and quality of life for all.

WSLHA is an American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recognized state association.

WSLHA is Offering a Student Advocacy Scholarship

We are excited to offer the Advocacy Scholarship for students who are passionate about the field of speech-language pathology and committed to advocating for individuals with communication disorders. This scholarship aims to support future leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the profession and raising awareness about the importance of speech and language services in various communities.

To apply, please submit a 500 - 700-word essay responding to the following prompt:

As a future speech-language pathologist, advocacy will play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with communication challenges receive the care, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Reflect on your personal journey in speech-language pathology and discuss:

Why is advocacy important in the field of speech-language pathology, and how does it impact individuals with communication disorders?
Describe a situation in which you have advocated (or plan to advocate) for individuals with communication disorders. What motivated you to take action, and what steps did you take (or plan to take) to make a positive impact?
How do you plan to continue advocating for the profession and individuals with communication challenges in the future, both as a student and a future professional?
How would receiving this scholarship help you further your advocacy efforts in speech-language pathology?

Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a speech-language pathology program.

Deadline: May 1, 2025

Please submit completed essays to: Linzanne@comcast.net.

We look forward to reading your essays and learning how you plan to make a difference through advocacy in speech-language pathology!

Letter from the President: Perseverance

3-30-2025

I am disappointed to report HB 1589 will not advance any further this session. HB 1589 supports fair contract negotiations for private and clinical SLPs and audiologists in our state. Senator Cleveland, Representative Bronske, and insurers plan continued negotiations in preparation for the legislative session in 2026. HB1589 had a strong bipartisan vote in the House and negotiations with insurers throughout the legislative session and needs approval by key senators.

WSLHA remains committed to advancing HB1589. Next year, WSLHA will continue the Advocacy Day event, foster partnerships with healthcare allies, build trust through integrity with legislators, and address key concerns with HB1589 to assure its success. WSLHA joined a coalition of 20 professional fields to build increased strength and integrity with the House and the Senate. This coalition strengthens our circle of trust during negotiations.

The relationships WSLHA cultivated with legislators and our unified coalition of 20 healthcare fields builds fortitude and the promise of successful outcomes for the future. Policies influence financial priorities for staffing in clinics and private practice. Fair access to clinical services increases patient access to timely, quality services. Together, the passage of HB1589 builds a stronger, fairer future for Washington State’s healthcare providers.

Thank you for stepping forward on this journey towards change through your own personal call to action. Your call to action is the future that greets us with the promise of hope.

Sincerely,

Laurel White, CCC-SLP

WSLHA President

Volunteer Opportunities Available – Are You?

Are you looking for a way to grow and take advantage of an opportunity to help yourself, your colleagues and your patients, clients, or students. WSLHA, as a volunteer-based organization, has many such opportunities.

Several of our committees need your ideas, your creativity and some of your time. Consider joining one of them. Contact the WSLHA website and complete a volunteer application or email the office to express your interest. WSLHA’s Volunteer Coordinator, Judith Bernier, will contact you to explore the possibilities. Briefly most committees meet once a month for an hour with some work on projects between meetings as needed. Time involvement is estimated at 1-3 hours a month.

The following committees are looking for your assistance – Communications, Membership, School Affairs, and Continuing Education. It’s a great way to meet new colleagues, to strengthen your skill set, to develop your leadership and to grow as a professional. Come join our community of Washington SLPs/Audiologists and Assistants.

Capitol News

WSLHA Priorities:

HB 1686, the bill directing the Department of Health to study the idea of creating a health care entity registry, is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Monday.

HB 1392, the bill that creates the Medicaid Access Program to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, has been designated “necessary to implement the budget” or NTIB. It’s scheduled for executive session in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Monday.

General News:

As the iconic campus cherry blossoms bloom and the deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees approaches on Tuesday, April 8th, the Washington State Legislature is entering the final stretch of the 2025 regular session. This marks a crucial phase in the legislative process, where lawmakers race against time to advance their proposals before critical cutoff dates.

Following the April 8th deadline, legislators will shift their focus to intense floor debates and caucus discussions, working long hours to negotiate and pass bills before the opposite house floor cutoff on Wednesday, April 16. As the session winds down, the stakes are high, with advocates, stakeholders, and policymakers pulling out the stops and closely watching the fate of key measures that may either advance or pause until the next session.

Revenue Bills in Fiscal Committee

This week, the Senate Ways & Means Committee and the House Finance Committee held hearings on a series of revenue bills introduced by the majority Democrats. These proposals sparked an extraordinary level of public interest, drawing a record-breaking number of sign-ins from individuals and organizations eager to voice their opinions. The overwhelming engagement underscored the heightened work of business and advocacy groups on both sides of tax policy this year.

In the Ways & Means Committee, SB 5798, a bill addressing property taxes, attracted an astonishing 45,174 sign-ins—an unprecedented level of participation in state history. In comparison, SB 5797, which deals with the taxation of intangible assets, saw 14,079 sign-ins, while SB 5796, concerning payroll expense taxes, received 13,463 sign-ins. The sheer volume of responses made even these remarkable figures appear modest. By way of context, it is absolutely within the realm of normal to have a mere dozen or fewer sign-ins on a lower-profile bill.

Governor Bob Ferguson’s Stance on Budgets

At a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Bob Ferguson outlined five key conditions that any budget must meet for him to sign it. Rejecting the budgets proposed by majority legislative Democrats, he stressed the following requirements:

The Rainy Day Fund (Budget Stabilization Account) must remain untouched. While the Senate’s proposal draws from these reserves, the House’s version does not.
The budget must be based on realistic revenue projections, rather than the legally permitted 4.5% projection. Ferguson supports the Senate’s approach in this regard.
New spending should be minimal due to current fiscal constraints. “This is not the time for major investments in any program, no matter how worthwhile,” he cautioned.
The budget must include significant savings and efficiencies—amounting to billions—while preserving essential services like K-12 education and public safety.
It cannot rely on revenue sources that may face legal challenges and risk being overturned in court.

Ferguson’s firm stance will be a challenge for lawmakers as they work behind closed doors toward a final budget agreement by Sine Die.

Opposite House Policy Committee Cutoff… This past Wednesday marked the deadline for bills to advance out of policy committees in the opposite chamber. Any legislation that failed to meet this deadline is unlikely to move forward in the legislative process this session, pending extraordinary efforts by legislators to resurrect. While nearly anything is technically possible until the gavel drops on Sine Die, this milestone is a crucial step in the legislative timeline, as it determines which bills continue to be debated on the floor or in fiscal committees next week before potentially becoming law.

To C or Not to C: Making Decisions about Your SLP Licensure and Accreditations in Washington State

Disclosure: WSLHA receives grants and advocacy support from ASHA

Recently, WSLHA has received questions from our SLP community about maintaining ASHA CCCs. As the cost of living is on the rise, many SLPs are looking for ways to cut expenses. ASHA membership or certification is not required to be a member of WSLHA, and we neither endorse nor oppose ASHA membership or certification. While the decision about maintaining your ASHA Cs is yours and yours alone, there are several things to consider:

Clinical and ESIT settings. Most clinical settings and ESIT agencies in Washington require SLPs to hold state licensure from the Department of Health. ASHA Cs are not required for state licensure, but licensure requirements mirror the requirements for Cs. Some insurance companies and healthcare organizations still require ASHA Cs in addition to proof of license. If you are considering dropping your ASHA Cs, talk with your employer or insurers first.

School settings. While ESA certification is required by OSPI for SLPs working in Washington State public schools, ASHA certification is not. However, some school districts prefer or require their SLPs to hold licensure and/or ASHA Cs. If you already have your ASHA Cs, ESA renewal is easy. Just upload a copy of your ASHA certificate when you log into the e-certification system. If you do not have ASHA Cs, you will need to provide proof of 100 clock hours earned over a 5-year period.

Supervision: If you enjoy supervising and mentoring students and clinical fellows, take note. For students enrolled in ASHA accredited Master’s degree programs, ASHA requires that supervising clinicians hold and maintain their Cs.

Working abroad: Considering working outside of the US? A number of countries have mutual recognition of professional association credentials. For example, ASHA certification is recognized by the national associations of Canada, Ireland, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, but those countries may not recognize your state licensure. If you plan to work abroad, check your destination country’s requirements first.

Changing professional settings. Many clinicians start their career in one setting and explore others along the way. One of the advantages to being an SLP is the option to work across different settings. While ASHA Cs might not be required in your current setting, they could be required in a future setting.

ASHA Membership vs Certification. Did you know that you don’t have to be an ASHA member to retain your Cs? You can also be an ASHA member without certification. Contact the ASHA Center for more information about these options and the associated costs.

Final thoughts. WSLHA encourages you to carefully consider your options for ASHA certification and membership, keeping your present and future needs in mind. Regardless of your ASHA certification or membership, we encourage you to be involved in WSLHA. Many of the decisions that are made at the state level affect your practice. WSLHA is your voice in Washington State.

Deirdre Curle, PhD, CCC-SLP is Past-President of WSLHA. She lives in Seattle and is a speech-language pathologist at the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth. She holds ASHA Cs and affiliation with SIG 9, Pediatric Hearing and Hearing Disorders.

Resources