ArSHA has three strong state-wide networks whose sole purpose are to advocate for Arizona’s speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

The State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language hearing associations to advocate on education issues. These issues may include caseload/workload, salary supplements, and maintenance of personnel standards in school settings. SEALs can be speech-language pathologists or audiologists. The State Education Advocacy Leaders were established in 1999 under ASHA’s Priorities. The mission of the SEALs network 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.

Do you have a school or education based question or an issue that needs to be addressed? Please email Kelli Gladieux at seal@arsha.org with your question or concern.

State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMPs) participants are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language-hearing associations. They advocate for Medicare coverage and reimbursement of audiology and speech-language pathology services in their respective states. The StAMP representative participates in monthly calls through ASHA to obtain updates on Medicare-related issues pertinent to SLPs and audiologists and communicates this information to SLPs and audiologists within the state. Lisa Naylor is the StAMP for Arizona and will be providing quarterly updates to ArSHA members on the ArSHA website and is always available for questions.

The State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved health care coverage and reasonable reimbursement. Their targets are key decision-makers in private corporations, public agencies, and the local legislature. Examples are health care insurance executives, benefits administrators, state insurance department officials, and state congress members. STARs create advocacy strategies and share skills with the state speech-language-hearing associations that appoint them.

Also check out ArSHA’s Facebook page for notices of free ASHA web chats (live and replay), practice portal links, and news from the SEALs, StAMPs, and STARs.