By: Jyutika Mehta, PhD, CCC-SLP, F-HEA, F-ASNR, F-ASHA, Vice President for Research and Development

A huge Texas “Hello!” once again from your Vice President for Research and Development! Your Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) volunteers have been working in various areas to bring high-quality opportunities for education, development, and connection across the state. I’m excited to share with you some glimpses of those projects within the area of Research and Development.

TSHA continuously advocates for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists across Texas and provides continuing education (CE) opportunities for professional growth at all levels. Toward that aim, we are so excited to continue our successful webinar series, Webinar Wednesdays, led by Webinar Committee Chair Leslie Rainey. Her team continues to bring outstanding content at 12 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. These CE opportunities are free for TSHA members and will keep you up to date with current content in speech-language pathology and audiology. Please watch your email for alerts so you don’t miss out on future Webinar Wednesdays. This is a great way to accrue CE credits and learn about new and exciting ways to support the individuals we serve.

To meet the needs of more experienced professionals, Professional Development Committee Chair Melissa Garcia and her team have launched a new advanced webinar series. This initiative is in addition to Webinar Wednesdays. Stay tuned for future content, including offerings in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); ethics sessions; and much more that meets not only the updated requirements for continuing education from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) but also advanced content.

Please join me in offering special thanks to the chair of the Continuing Education Approval Committee, Kenyatta Bolling, and her team. They are working on revising the CE approval process to make it more user-friendly. Every CE opportunity offered for TSHA CE credit undergoes a review process before it is approved. The CE Approval Committee is a team of SLPs and audiologists who tirelessly evaluate all submissions to ensure they meet the outlined criteria. None of the CE credits we receive through TSHA would be possible without their efforts, and I would like to express my gratitude to them.

The co-chairs for the Continuation of Guidelines Committee, Sarah Kelly and Hailey Gaida, continue to coordinate with professionals across Texas to bring you revised, evidence-based Disability Determination Guidelines. All Disability Determination Guidelines manuals are housed on the TSHA website and can be accessed by both members and non-members. Education modules for the guidelines are available at no cost for members on the TSHA website.

I am also happy to update you on the work of Swallowing and Feeding in the Schools Task Force. Chair Lisa Gore and her team have worked on TSHA Guidelines for Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Disorders in the Public Schools. This document is undergoing final review and will be published shortly. These guidelines aim to provide a structure within which public school SLPs can use evidence-based practice to promote the safety and efficiency of feeding and swallowing at student mealtimes. Please stay tuned for updates related to its publication date.

Volunteers are the ones who keep our association organized and engaged! I am so very fortunate to work alongside many talented and dedicated professionals within TSHA and look forward to welcoming new volunteers into our ranks in the coming months! The call for volunteers is now open, so please consider volunteering in an area of your choice to support TSHA. It is a fun and rewarding way to meet new colleagues and contribute to the professions!

More Executive Board News
• Volunteer for TSHA Today!
• Executive Board Roster
• View the Current TSHA Strategic Plan