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    <title>Montana Speech Language Hearing Association Articles</title>
    <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/</link>
    <description>Montana Speech Language Hearing Association blog posts</description>
    <dc:creator>Montana Speech Language Hearing Association</dc:creator>
    <generator>Wild Apricot - membership management software and more</generator>
    <language>en</language>
    <pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:10:36 GMT</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:10:36 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2021 20:54:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES WITH CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS AND HUMILITY</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://mslha.wildapricot.org/resources/Pictures/Amber%20Franklin_Photo.jpg" alt="" title="" border="0" width="152" height="139"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Amber Franklin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;9:00-11:00&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Racial health disparities are observed in fields as diverse as nursing, social work, and speech pathology and audiology. In this interactive presentation, participants will learn about the social factors that contribute to racial health disparities. Participants will also explore how the framework of cultural humility can be used to address health inequities in their profession and their communities.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Participants will be able to: 1) Identify social factors that contribute to racial health disparities. 2) Explain the difference between cultural competence, cultural responsiveness, and cultural humility. 3) Discuss strategies to address health disparities in our communities and in Communication Sciences and Disorders.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Time Ordered Agenda&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;5 minutes - Introduction&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;30 minutes - Social determinants of health&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;30 minutes - Cultural humility framework&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;10 minutes - Breakout group discussion&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;30 minutes - Strategies and somatic responses to strategies&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;10 minutes - Discussion small group and large group&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;5 minutes - Conclusion and wrap-up&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Dr. Amber Franklin is an associate professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Miami University, located in Oxford, Ohio. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2009. Her research and teaching interests include cross-linguistic and child phonology, English pronunciation instruction, Eastern Caribbean English dialects, and cultural and linguistic diversity. She is a 2018, Ohio Life Magazine, Excellence in Education Honoree and has received a Senatorial Citation from Ohio’s General Assembly and a Mayoral Citation from the City of Oxford for her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Disclosures: Dr. Franklin is receiving an honorarium from the Montana Speech Language Hearing Association for this presentation. She has no non-financial relationships to report.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/12241920</link>
      <guid>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/12241920</guid>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2021 10:26:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>COUNSELING SKILLS FOR THE SPEECH AND HEARING PROFESSIONAL</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://mslha.wildapricot.org/resources/Pictures/Murray%20Photo.jpg" alt="" title="" border="0" width="86" height="129"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Kirsten Murray, Ph.D., LPC&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;11:15-2:15&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;This session introduces 10 basic counseling skills that strengthen the therapeutic alliance and address complex dynamics that include: resistance, impasse, grief and loss, and encounters with “isms.” Participants will understand the efficacy of a strong therapeutic relationship and the counseling skills necessary to establish an effective presence with clients, patients, and their families.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Participants will be able to: 1) Understand the efficacy of the therapeutic relationship. 2) Identify 10 core counseling skills, including: empathic response, paraphrasing, feeling reflections, immediacy, encouragement, active listening, genuine and congruent presence, respect for the client/patient, open questions, and broaching. 3) Apply the 10 core counseling skills to assist in complex cases (addressing resistance, grief and loss, “isms,” and impasse).&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Time Ordered Agenda&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;10 minutes – Introduction&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;20 minutes – Overview of the therapeutic alliance.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;90 minutes – Introduce and demonstrate 10 core counseling skills.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;50 minutes – Apply counseling skills to case studies and role plays.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;10 minutes – Summary, Conclusion, and Questions&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Kirsten Murray, Ph.D., LPC is Professor and Chair of the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana. Kirsten has 19 years of counseling experience specializing in work with couples and families. As a counselor, she has treated individuals with acquired and developmental disabilities and their family caregivers. Her areas of academic interest include counselor preparation, supervision, and social justice issues in counseling. She is the recent author of the book &lt;em&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Strong Couples: Basic Skills that Elicit Connection and Transform Relationships.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Disclosures: Dr. Murray is receiving an honorarium from the Montana Speech Language Hearing Association for this presentation, and is receiving a salary from the University of Montana. She has no non-financial relationships to report.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;These sessions will be recorded and made available for asynchronous participation on August 14-24. To register for the recorded sessions&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2 style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="lulo-clean-w01-one-bold, lulo-clean-w05-one-bold, sans-serif"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://mslha.wildapricot.org/event-4433471"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;REGISTER: RECORDED ASYNCHRONOUS SESSION&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;The live webinar on Cultural Responsiveness &amp;amp; Counseling Skills for Transformational Practice will be recorded and available for viewing for 10 days (August 14-24). Registrants will need to complete viewing of the recorded webinar during this time and submit a self-study assessment by August 24, 2021 to receive CEU credit. A link to the recording and the assessment will emailed to registrants on August 14.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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      <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170938</link>
      <guid>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170938</guid>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2021 08:49:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>UPDATE on MSHA in the 2021 Legislature</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;MSHA has had more success in the legislature this session and continues to follow other bills which concern healthcare professionals and the clients we serve. Here is a summary of bills we are currently following. Please watch for updates in the coming weeks.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;UPDATE ON PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED BILLS:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;The SLP/AuD Assistant bill (HB210) passed through both the House and the Senate and is scheduled to be signed by Governor Gianforte later this week. &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0291.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB291&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, which requires coverage of amplification devices and services for kids with hearing loss passed the House and came out of Senate committee today with an 8-1 vote, so it is on to the Senate floor. Please consider contacting your Senator to urge support of this bill! Information about how to do that is located below.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;OTHER BILLS MSHA IS FOLLOWING:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0233.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB 233&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt; is a bill that allows school funding for students receiving special education services up to their 21st birthday. This bill passed unanimously out of committee Tuesday and is also on its way to the Senate floor.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Two bills MSHA is following involve our transgender clients. These clients come to SLPs to help align their voices with their gender identity and this can greatly impact their quality of life, and even their safety &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/transgender-gender-diverse-voice-and-communication/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;(ASHA 2021).&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0112.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB 112&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;would require transgendered kids to compete in school sports in the gender they were assigned at birth. MSHA supports healthy activity for all kids, including the transgendered persons SLPs work with on voice modulation. &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0427.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB 427&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt; prohibits health care professionals from providing or referring for transitional surgery for transgendered youth. We are opposing this bill to stand with our peers in the medical field because the bill has huge liability consequences for health care professionals with very vague language. &lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Both of these bills could be on the Senate floor as early as Thursday, so if you would like to contact your Senator about either or both of these bills, please do so ASAP.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;See information on other bills we are following below.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATOR:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;The first preference is a direct call or email to your Senator. You can look up who your senator is at &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/map/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;https://leg.mt.gov/map/&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Once you know who your senator is, you can find their phone number and email here: &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-information/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-information/&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. A second option is to send a message through the legislative website, which you can do here: &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. You can also call the switchboard and leave a message at 444-4800.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;MSHA IS ALSO FOLLOWING:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;1. HB 46: Revise Special Educaiton Funding (support)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;2. HB 206: Revise education laws related to tuition and in-state treatment (support)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;3. HB 328: Provide guidelines for assessing language development in deaf children (support)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;4. HJ 19: Resolution designating May as ALS Awareness Month (support)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;5. SB 236: Provide transparency in health care pricing (oppose)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;6. SB 357:Generally revising requirements related to telehealth (monitor)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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      <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170941</link>
      <guid>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170941</guid>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>SAVE the DATE</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;img src="https://mslha.wildapricot.org/resources/Pictures/chris-montgomery-smgTvepind4-unsplash.jpg" alt="" title="" border="0" width="194" height="146"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Please save the date for the upcoming interprofessional panel on April 22nd from 8:00-9:00 AM titled &lt;em&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Overcoming Obstacles: Identifying Barriers and Opportunities in Telehealth During a Pandemic.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/em&gt; Please see the &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BOjFMjmPzZg4AIwLQXLyfYU2w1YwIN4S/view?usp=sharing"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;attached flyer.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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      <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170940</link>
      <guid>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170940</guid>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 07 Feb 2021 09:36:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <title>A big week for MSHA Advocacy!</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Update on MSHA activity in the 2021 Legislature&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;MSHA is working directly on 2 bills this year in the Legislature:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;1) &lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB 210: SLPA Bill&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - (&lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0210.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Link to bill text here&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;) If enacted, this legislation would create SLPA as a position that has their own licensure, much as OTs and PTs have in their Montana licensure. As amended, SLPAs would be able to work in all settings, including telepractice, under the supervision of a fully-licensed SLP. The bill follows the new ASHA pathways for licensure for nationally-certified SLPAs. The University of Montana School Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupational Sciences has worked closely with ASHA certification guidelines to develop a program for students to follow one of the pathways to become a certified SLPA. This is the second session that MSHA has carried this bill to the legislature, and we hope it can be enacted this session. How can you help?&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;ADVOCACY for HB 210:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;This bill has passed out of committee and has a hearing on the House floor Monday, February 8th. To watch, go to &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="http://leg.mt.gov/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;leg.mt.gov&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, select “watch and listen,” and then select "House Floor" at 1 pm. To contact your Representative, please use this &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-lookup/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;legislator lookup link&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Please urge your Representative to support this bill. Possible talking points are as follow:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
  &lt;li style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;
    &lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;Montana has a shortage of fully-licensed SLPs and this bill could help the residents of our state have more access to the services they need, and ensure that services will be from a qualified provider who has met academic standards, completed a supervised clinical practicum, and has passed an exam approved by the Montana Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;

  &lt;li style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;
    &lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;Under the supervision of a licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist, licensed assistants could provide services in a wide variety of settings, including telepractice, to help fill voids where they exist in our state. Shortages of SLP/Audiology services occur in both rural and more urban settings across Montana.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;

  &lt;li style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;
    &lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;Currently, Montana law provides for registration of SLP and Audiology Aides/Assistants who must be “attached” to a fully-licensed SLP or Audiologist, instead of requiring them to obtain their own licensure, as Occupational Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapy Assistants must do in Montana.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;2) &lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;HB 291: AN ACT REQUIRING COVERAGE OF AMPLIFICATION DEVICES AND RELATED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (&lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0291.pdf"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Link to bill text here&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;). If enacted, this legislation would require insurance coverage sold in the group or individual market in Montana to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss for a covered child 18 years of age or younger. As we know, this is so important for Montana kids and families, as both durable equipment for hearing loss and rehabilitation services can be expensive if not covered by insurance. This summer, the group &lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Let Montana Hear&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (&lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://www.facebook.com/Let-Montana-Hear-380112109529719"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;link on FB here!&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt;) spent many hours organizing and collecting data to be prepared for the first hearing. Information for that hearing is below.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;ADVOCACY for HB 291:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;The committee hearing scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 at 3 pm in the Human Services committee. To listen, go to &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;https://leg.mt.gov/,&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt; then go to "Watch &amp;amp; Listen" across the top banner. Scroll down to "House Human Services" and click Listen.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;Let Montana Hear and MSHA are looking for individuals who wish to testify the the Human Services Committee, or submit comment to the committee. Anyone wishing to do so must use this link no later than Friday, Feb. 12 at 12:00 &lt;a data-hook="linkViewer" href="https://leg.mt.gov/session/have-your-say/"&gt;&lt;font face="var(--ricos-custom-link-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;https://leg.mt.gov/session/have-your-say/&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style="line-height: 21px;"&gt;&lt;font color="#292F33" face="var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family, unset)"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: transparent;"&gt;&lt;font face="inherit"&gt;People can also email directly to the members of the Human Services Committee. Let Montana Hear has provided some excellent information, sample letters, and a list of committee members in the attachments provided below. Please forward this message on to anyone who you think would be interested in helping out.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170939</link>
      <guid>https://www.mshaonline.org/blog/9170939</guid>
      <dc:creator />
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