L. B. E. S. P. A.

Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
                    LOCAL (225) 756-3480  TOLL FREE in Louisiana 1-800-246-6050

Spring 2004

Table of Contents

FAREWELL, ADIOS, AU REVOIR, AND GOOD-BYE !

I am pleased to have the opportunity to write this article to say farewell to the many professionals that I have interacted with over the years.  I plan to retire on June 30, 2004, and want to introduce you to my successor, Mr. Richard N. Burtt.  Richard was employed as an attorney with the Office of Group Benefits and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board office.  I hope that you will show him the same support and courtesy that you have shown me over the last 25 years!

In 1979 following amendments to the Practice Act, I was hired by Ginger Horton, L-AUD and L-SLP, who was the Chairperson of LBESPA at that time.  Prior to my employment, the board office moved each time the chairperson changed and board records were in chaos.  It was quite an administrative challenge to organize LBESPA’s board records and establish a central office.  I have been fortunate to have board members (former and current) who have supported my office by appropriating the necessary funds for state of the art computers, equipment and staff development.  It has been an honor to work with the professionals who have served on the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. 

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with many speech-language pathology and audiology professionals, both in Louisiana and throughout the country.  To them I say, “Thank you!” for your support and the wonderful memories.  I have been honored by both the Louisiana-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Council of State Boards for the work I have done.  It is rewarding to know that your peers appreciate your work and the efforts you have made on their behalf. 

I wish all of you the best in the years to come and encourage you to continue your support of the LBESPA staff and their efforts to protect the citizens of Louisiana.

   Suzanne L. Pevey, Administrator

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In the beginning . . . .

 It is said that For every door that closes, another one is opened.@  In this case two doors are closing, and two others are opening.  For Suzanne Pevey, her door as Administrator of this Board is closing.  The door that she opened every morning for over 30 years with grace, dignity and energy will be locked by her at the end of the day for the last time in the near future.  As she does so, she will open a new door to retirement, travel and well-deserved relaxation.  In the little time that we have shared together, I am indebted to  Ms. Pevey for sharing her knowledge, staff and good humor with me.  She will be missed.  It  is with sad eyes that I watch this door close on her, but have a different view altogether of the door that is opening for me.

 By way of introduction, my name is Richard Burtt, and I have been selected to become the Administrator to succeed Ms. Pevey.  I, too, am closing a door.  My education and experience includes a B.S. degree from LSU in Business and Public Administration with course work in Management, Economics, Accounting and Government.  After this, I worked for 5 years as a Personnel Technician for the State of Louisiana.  Finally, I persuaded my wife to continue working so that I might attend the LSU Law School.  After three long years, I left law school with my Juris Doctorate degree, and became licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana.  My wife was awarded her PHT (Putting Hubby Through).  She was delighted to have me back among the working.  By this time, we had two children who were equally thrilled to get Daddy out of the house.

 I became a trial attorney for the State Department of Transportation and Development trying cases all across the state.  After approximately 5 years, I left DOTD to become General Counsel to the State Office of Group Benefits.  This was a position that I held for a little over twenty years.  In this capacity, I gained experience with the Open Meeting law, Administrative Procedures Act, administrative adjudications, additional trial work, budget responsibilities, supervisory responsibilities, civil service regulations, rule-making regulations and much more.

 I look forward to the new opportunities offered by this position, and to meeting each of you.  If you have time when passing through Baton Rouge, be sure to stop by the office and introduce yourself.  The staff and I hope to continue to offer the same friendly and courteous treatment to which you have become accustomed.

Richard N. Burtt, New Administrator

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Perspectives of a New Board Member

 Ten months into my relatively new appointment to the licensure board, I remain excited and enthusiastic about my role.  I am also pleased to have the opportunity to work with Suzanne and her staff before she retires.  The name Suzanne Pevey has been synonymous with licensure for years and her knowledge and influence is evident throughout the board office.   Although somewhat in awe of the licensure board, I was comfortable enough to ask questions to remain abreast of licensure and supervision requirements.  Now as a new board member, I have the opportunity to share this information with colleagues and consumers around the state.  I am amazed at the types of concerns addressed by the board and the need to change my focus from service provision to consumer protection.  This has been my greatest challenge.  Philosophically, I know that providing quality services is a means of protecting the consumer, but many times our cases are not always clear cut.  Making appropriate decisions requires the board to gather and synthesize information from many sources.  This information is then used to make decisions that are fair and consistent, and that protect the rights of the consumer.  I look forward to continuing my service on the board and hope my years of experience will help make me a good board member. 

   Natalie Robottom, L-SLP, CCC-SLP,
Speech Coordinator for St.John the Baptist Parish

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Continuing Education Questions and Answers

 How is a Continuing Education (CE) audit conducted?

During the annual renewal process, random Continuing Education audits are conducted.  A list of approximately ten (10) percent of all licensees is generated from a computer database.  Every tenth name is selected in each license category.

How should CE hours acquired in June be submitted?

CE events are collected yearly from July 1 through June 30.  However, if an event occurs in June the CE hours may be used for the current year or may be counted for the following year.  Example: Conference occurs on June 15, 2004 and the licensee has already accumulated ten (10) clock hours from July 1, 2003 through June 15, 2004.  The licensee could choose not to report the June 15, 2004 conference for the current renewal period (July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004) and hold the accumulated hours for the following year (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005).  It is important to note that hours cannot be divided between two collection periods (Rule 115.E.).

What type of extenuating circumstance would warrant an extension for completion of required continuing education hours?

Examples of extenuating circumstances can include medical leave or disability.  If a licensee thinks there is an extenuating circumstance, a written statement must be submitted to the Board requesting an extension for completion of the required CE hours (Rule 115.F.).  In the request, the licensee should clearly state and provide, if necessary, documentation of the circumstance.  This should be done as early as possible.

How should CE events be recorded?

Documentation of hours should be recorded on the CE tracking sheets provided by LBESPA (115.K.1.).  If an individual is audited, additional documentation of CE hours must be submitted to the board.  The additional documentation can be in the form of a certificate, time-ordered agenda, sign-in sheet, ASHA CE sheet, or CE sheets provided at conferences (i.e., ASHA, LSHA, SPALS).  The responsibility rests with the licensee.  Any documentation submitted for audit purposes must identify the topic or content of the workshop.  For example, “Speech-Language Therapy Meeting” on a certificate of attendance would not provide sufficient documentation to determine if CE specifically in the area of licensure had been earned.

 Can I use a university course to satisfy my CE requirement?

In order for a college course to satisfy the requirements for CE, it must be in the area of licensure and be taken for credit or official audit (115.I.4.).  Official transcript from the university would serve as CE documentation.  However, if a licensee chooses not to take a course for credit or official audit, then the licensee may request pre-approval from LBESPA for the activity.

How do I obtain pre-approval for an activity?

Pre-approval is necessary, in most instances, for self-study activities (i.e., journal study or university courses not meeting the requirements discussed in the question above).  When it is unclear if the topic is relevant to the profession or will further the expertise in the area of licensure, pre-approval is necessary.  A licensee must request that an activity be pre-approved in writing a minimum of sixty (60) days in advance of the activity.

How long should documentation of attendance at CE activities be maintained?

Licensees should maintain documentation of attendance at CE activities throughout the renewal period.  If selected for audit, once the audit has been completed, it is the licensee’s discretion to continue to maintain such documentation.  In the event of reinstatement of licensure or return from retired status, proof of five hours of continuing education for each year lapsed or retired is required (maximum of 25 hours).

As stated in the Code of Ethics (701.E.2.a.), “Individuals shall engage in only those aspects of the professions that are within the scope of their competence, considering their level of education, training and experience.”  It is at the discretion of the licensee to maintain records which may substantiate training in a given area of practice.

    Kerri Phillips, SLP.D, CCC-SLP, Board Chair-person, holds the position of Assistant Professor at LA Tech in Speech-Language Pathology.

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Elizabeth Stokes Borel Award for Excellence
Presented To Natalie Hawthorne Robottom

 
Elizabeth S. Borel 1941-2002

The Elizabeth Stokes Borel Award for Excellence was presented to Natalie H. Robottom at the Eleventh Annual Conference of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Louisiana Schools (SPALS). 

 The award was established in 2001 and embodies the spirit of a lady who sought to improve communication skills in children, formulate a standard by which professionalism could be measured, and provide a medium by which professionals could share ideas and expand their knowledge of the communication field.  Liz was known as a pioneer; as she was innovative in helping to shape Louisiana’s first licensure law and served on the first Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology. Liz was both humbled and excited about the award and looked forward to making the presentation.  However, she lost her battle with cancer before the first award was presented in 2002.  The Elizabeth Stokes Borel Award for Excellence is dedicated to Liz’s life’s goals and will serve as a lasting legacy for those who follow. 

 Natalie H. Robottom received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Vermillion Parish.  She went on to obtain a Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University and for the past 21 years has worked in St. John the Baptist Parish.  She has performed outstanding clinical and educational work and exhibited exemplary professional and personal characteristics throughout her career.  Robottom was selected as an individual who is dedicated to promoting the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology within Louisiana schools.  The award was presented to her at the state conference before 800 of her peers.  Natalie’s selection for this award would have made Liz both happy and proud.  Former Abbeville High School principal and the current State Superintendent of Education, Cecil Picard, was on hand to welcome the group to Baton Rouge.

    Ann Laborde Presenting Award to Natalie Robottom

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The Code of Ethics can be found in the Board’s Rules, Regulations and Procedures.  It is found in Chapter 7, Section 701, at the end of the publication.  You can download a copy from our website or purchase a copy from the Board office for $5.00.

                  LBESPA LOOKS AHEAD TO THE Au.D.

 In keeping with the changes in the profession of audiology that will require a doctorate as the entry-level degree, LBESPA invited all licensed Louisiana audiologists to participate in a roundtable discussion on Saturday, January 17, 2004.  The meeting, “Regulatory Implications of the Au.D. Program in Louisiana”, focused on the impact of the new standards on the current licensing law and on the Rules, Regulations and Procedures.  Kerri Phillips, current LBESPA Chair, welcomed approximately twenty participants and provided an outline of the morning’s activities. 

Background information provided an overview of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (the licensure law) and of the Rules, Regulations and Procedures.  It was noted that the current law specifies a Master’s degree or “equivalent” as entry-level in Louisiana, so no changes to the law are indicated at this time.  The Rules, Regulations and Procedures are specific relative to coursework and practicum requirements, so changes may be necessary to comply with the new competency-based standards that are broader and more general in nature.

Suzanne Kimball, Au.D., current LBESPA member, recently attended a conference sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology.  She indicated that the conference focused on the impact that a four-year doctoral program in audiology might have on licensure, and she presented information and opinions from participants representing a broad section of the country.  Interestingly, the conference was proposed to conclude with a consensus statement on licensing four-year Au.D. students; however, no consensus was reached during the meeting as participants held varying ideas and viewpoints.

Two Au.D. programs have been approved in Louisiana with implementation of the program at LSUHSC in New Orleans beginning in the Fall of 2004.  Jerry Cranford, Ph.D., program director at LSUHSC, outlined proposed coursework and practicum requirements for the four-year doctoral program in audiology.  Clarice Dans, Ph.D., program director at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, announced that their doctoral program in audiology has as anticpated start date in the Fall of 2005.  She provided information about the program and answered questions relative to criteria for enrollment.

Following the presentation regarding Au.D. programs in Louisiana, Theresa Rodgers and Glenn Waguespack, former presidents and current members of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of Directors, facilitated group discussion relative to the current Louisiana requirements for coursework, practicum, and postgraduate professional experience as specified in the Rules, Regulations and Procedures.  The current requirements were compared to the new audiology coursework and practicum standards, and suggested areas of revision were proposed.  Participants were urged to provide input regarding their licensing concerns for the new standards, but were also urged to consider and maintain the consumer protection standards of the current audiology regulations in Louisiana.

LBESPA appreciates the participation and the input of the audiologists who attended the roundtable and plans to begin working on revisions to the Rules, Regulations and Procedures to address the important issues discussed at the meeting.  Once the proposed revisions have been completed, they will be circulated to all licensees for comment.  Please assist LBESPA with this important process as the profession of audiology moves to a doctoral-level entry. 

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LBESPA’S  8TH  ANNUAL  CE  WORKSHOP

      Theresa H. Rodgers, L-SLP, Glenn M. Waguespack, L-AUD and C. Robin Morehouse, Au.D., L-AUD, will be guest speakers at a three (3) hour presentation from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon on May 1, 2004, at the Holiday Inn South in Baton Rouge.  The program will be organized into two sessions.  Session I—”Ethical Practice: It’s the HIP(AA) Thing to Do” and Session II— “Mock Disciplinary Hearing”.      

These professionals are well-qualified and have much experience in the area of ethics.  They have made presentations to LSHA, SPALS and several national organizations  including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the National Council  of  State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB).   

    Information has been mailed out.   Plan to attend!

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A Summary Report from the Praxis Series Assessments showed rates of audiologists and speech-language pathologists that submitted their test scores to the Louisiana Board :  A passing score is 600.

Renewals will be mailed to all licensees on April 15, 2004.  You may submit your renewal  and other documentation anytime on or before June 30th.   After June 30th, delinquent fees are required and licenses lapse November 1, 2004.  Avoid the rush and submit your renewal information early!

 In 2003, for the first time, the Board offered on-line renewing at the Board’s web site www. lbespa.org.   There were 2092 fully licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists eligible to renew on-line in 2003.  Dual licensees and all licensees in supervision must still renew by mail due to complexities in the technology, and in order to verify appropriate supervision documentation.  18% of those eligible in 2003 renewed on-line.  It is anticipated that the number of people to renew on-line will grow as individuals become more comfortable with the process.  As established by State Treasury rules, there will be a $3.00 on-line usage charge to offset on-line setup fees.

On-line license renewing will be activated April 15, 2004, for fully licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists.  Some of the problems experienced last year in renewing on-line were:

 If you renew on-line and do not receive your  ID card within a week, please inform the Board office.

Act 721 requires that Boards supply the Louisiana Department of Labor with certain statistical information on licensees to measure and track the supply and demand of health care professionals in and out of Louisiana.  Therefore, the Board has added required questions to applications and renewal  forms.  They will be included with the 2004 renewals.  Some very interesting facts have resulted from the collection of the information based on the information available for 2003.  

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A Prospective from a New Board Member
by Suzanne Kimball 

  Like many of you, I cringe when I see those licensure “renewal notices” in my mailbox because I know that it means more of my hard earned money will soon be leaving my bank account.  I used to think to myself, “What do they do with my money anyway?” 

My thoughts have made a complete reversal since my appointment to the licensure board in March of last year.  I began my term on the Board with a distorted idea of what the purpose of LBESPA was really about.  I quickly came to realize that the governing of licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists is for the sole purpose of consumer protection against unscrupulous and unethical practitioners and not for the promotion of the professional practice.  Licensure boards have no jurisdiction over issues related to the practice of the profession.  Therefore, I had to instantly lose my “What’s in it for me?” attitude.  I was forced to see things from a new perspective and not from just my professional view. 

In the short time that I have spent on the Board, I have gained a new appreciation for those that have served before me and the incredible amount of work that has gone into ensuring that SLPs and audiologists in our state have appropriate credentials; in turn assuring top quality services to the clients we serve. 

Impending changes in certification standards and the onset of the four-year Au.D. degree is forcing our current board to look at upcoming changes in licensure.  Board members attended the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB) conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October.  We were updated on the changes in certification through ASHA that will begin in 2005 and other professional issues that may have an affect on licensure.  With the upcoming changes involving the AuD degree, board members also participated in dialogue concerning licensing of fourth year AuD students. Clearly the current board has many challenges ahead of it.  We certainly have our work cut out for us.  I can however, personally attest to the fact that in comparison to other states, Louisiana is clearly in the forefront of licensure laws for our profession.  Our efforts to win compliance through presentations delineating licensure versus certification and with our impaired practitioners program, we have set the bar for other states to follow. 

In a state where our citizens grow used to being at the bottom of the list in areas related to health care, I think it is of vital importance that you know that Louisiana is leading the pack regarding licensure of SLPs and audiologists.  As difficult as my learning curve has been so far this year, I appreciate the opportunity to serve as a LBESPA member and I am looking forward to my continued service.

    Suzanne H.  Kimball, Au.D.,  Assistant Professor at Nicholls State University, adjunct Instructor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Clinical Audiologist at the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Thibodaux, LA. 

                 TERRY’S TOP TEN VIDEOS 

The Board office houses a video library for  use by the licensees as a resource in obtaining  continuing education hours.  Each year, five hours may be obtained by viewing videos and completing an assessment form.  Terry Martin manages the video library and has compiled a list of the Top Ten “most wanted” videos in the Board’s collection.   

You may view the video catalog on-line at www.lbespa.org or purchase the catalog for $5.00.

The Top Ten Videos:

10.  Stuttering: Diagnosis & Management with School-Aged Children  #63-64

10.  Interpreting X-Ray Swallow Studies & Planning Treatment  #2258

 9.   A Symposium in Audiology  #325

 8.   Everyday Routine in Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation  #2180

 7.   Issues in Assessment of Language Development  #50

 6.   Dysphagia: Diagnosis & Treatment of Swallowing Disorders  #250 

 5.   Designing Clinical Strategies for Language Impaired Children  #60-62

 4.   Fluency Therapy with Young Children  #7

 3.   Dementia Grand Rounds  #804

 2.   Pediatric Dysphagia: Assessment & Intervention  Considerations for Children & Young Adults  #2156

 1.  New Strategies for Treating Children’s Articulation & Phonological Disorders  #810

NEW LICENSEES - APRIL 1, 2003 - February 1, 2004