SKACD & FHSU
A Unique Partnership to Promote SLP Careers in SW Kansas
Since 2014, students in the speech-language pathology degree program at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) have received the opportunity to work virtually with students with speech and language impairments in public schools across Southwestern Kansas.
Student clinicians from FHSU are gaining experience using modern tools to assist in reaching rural and historically underserved communities. The schools served are all part or the Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative District (SKACD) based in Dodge City. This allows SKACD and FHSU to train future SLPs while also providing direct therapy to students with disabilities.
To date, nearly 50 SLP students have participated in this partnership, a brainchild of Stephanie Tiernan, instructor in FHSU's communication disorders department. Hundreds of elementary and secondary students have received free speech and language services as a result of this partnership. All sessions are supervised by a licensed SLP.
As virtual speech and language services continue to gain acceptance, the need for highly trained SLPs with digital skills also continues to grow. Existing research illustrates that virtual therapy programs outperform traditional speech-language therapy services in performance outcomes and in reduced treatment timelines.
Tiernan states, "the context for speech-language therapy has changed. SKACD has had the opportunity to transform speech-language therapy service delivery using the power of an interactive, content rich, and motivating web environment that people are using every day. The virtual classroom uses a highly motivating and dynamic platform to address each student's communication needs through interactive worksheets, interesting websites and games, and visual and verbal reward."
For more information
Contact Stephanie Tiernan, M.S., CCC-SLP by email at sktiernan@fhsu.edu or stiernan@skacd.org, or by phone: 785-628-5366.