MOESC creates school speech language pathology development program
Mansfield, OH (May 11, 2021) – The demand for speechlanguage pathologists (SLPS) is rising, with projected job growth at 21% through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet a shortage of SLPS has put the squeeze on schools and healthcare organizations. In order to mitigate this problem in the local area, Mid-ohio Educational Service Center has created the Speech Language Pathology Development Program.
This program will encourage interested graduate students to pursue a career in speech language pathology with Midohio ESC. Successful applicants will have their tuition reimbursed for the duration of the program. In exchange for the applicant’s tuition being reimbursed during graduate school, they agree to work for Mid-ohio ESC for five years once they become fully licensed.
Candidates must apply and have been accepted to a CAA Speechlanguage Pathology Graduate program with an institute of their choosing. They will then have a face-to-face interview with the Student Services Department to ensure a good fit for all. For the 21-22 School Year, MOESC will accept 2 program applicants and will accept 2 program applicants each year as it aligns with district need and attrition rates.
Jennifer Crum, Director of Student Services said, “Our efforts to recruit candidates, especially those who reside within our regional school districts, offer a promising approach to consistently develop a healthy speech language pathology workforce and meet critical shortages within our region.”
population figure is without justification. Let us point out that Morrow County has 35,328 people and Holmes County has 43,901 people (based on 2019 estimates). Yet their health department get a pass from this whole process,” Gates continued.
Going on in the letter, Gates read that the Shelby City Health Department was not opposed to accountability.
“No, just the opposite is true. It has completed the complicated, time consuming and expensive process of accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board, which conducted its site visit in March. We expect to receive our accreditation on May 14, 2021,” Gates read.
In discussion, it was decided the letter would be signed from the legislative body of Shelby, which would be Shelby City Council members.
Councilman Nathan Martin thanked Gates for putting the letter together and stated he agreed that all council members should sign it if they agreed with the statements.
“This is very troubling because it does almost feel like to get the intended outcome without having to deal with the political blow back from the intended outcome. Frankly, the accountability for efficiency and effectiveness belongs with our constituents in this city,” Martin said. “If our citizens felt that it was not efficient and effective to have our own health department, then the various levies would not pass and we would be forced to consolidate in due time. We have seen the exact opposite,” Martin said.
Councilman Steve Mclaughlin added he believed each council member should sign the letter individually, versus just from city council as whole.
Councilman Derrin Roberts added his thoughts to the importance of Shelby City Health Department.
“As chairman of the Safety Committee, I have watched them work toward accreditation. They are really passionate about that and our health department does a good job. I would be happy to sign that letter,” Roberts said.
The letter was dated and signed by all council members on May 4.