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STRATEGIC PLAN 2016–2020ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 2015

Table of ContentsSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiologyand Hearing Aid Dispensers Board Members. 1Message From the Board President. 3About the Board. 4Mission. 4Vision. 4Values. 5Strategic Goals. 6Goal 1: Licensing. 7Goal 2: Enforcement. 8Goal 3: Outreach . 9Goal 4: Laws and Regulations. 9Goal 5: Program Administration. 12Strategic Planning Process. 13

Speech-Language Pathologyand Audiology and Hearing AidDispensers Board MembersAlison Grimes, Board Chair, Dispensing AudiologistRodney Diaz, Public Member, OtolaryngologistJaime Lee, Public MemberDeane Manning, Hearing Aid DispenserDee Parker, Speech-Language PathologistMarcia Raggio, Dispensing AudiologistAmnon Shalev, Hearing Aid DispenserDebbie Snow, Public MemberPatti Solomon-Rice, Speech-Language PathologistEdmund G. Brown Jr., GovernorAwet Kidane, Director, Department of Consumer AffairsPaul Sanchez, Executive Officer, Speech-Language Pathologyand Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers BoardStrategic Plan 2016–20201

MISSIONWe protect the people ofCalifornia by promotingstandards and enforcing thelaws and regulations thatensure the qualifications andcompetence of providers ofspeech-language pathology,audiology, and hearing aiddispensing services.

Message From the Board PresidentOn behalf of the Speech-LanguagePathology and Audiology and HearingAid Dispensers Board (Board), I ampleased to present the Strategic Plan2016–2020.It is the vision of our Board that everyCalifornian has access to communication,through diagnosis, treatment, and relatedservices of the highest quality.The Board seeks to protect the health,safety, and welfare of the people of California by requiringadherence to laws and regulations designed to ensure thequalifications and competence of providers of speech-languagepathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing services.To fulfill these goals, we have identified in this document keyissues, goals, and actions that we will take to protect and serveCalifornia consumers.This Strategic Plan outlines our goals and identifies our challengesas we move forward to build our foundation for protection of,service to, and excellence in care of consumers with speech,language, and hearing impairments.It is our hope that all stakeholders, particularly consumers, willtake an active role by joining with the Board and staff in theseendeavors.Alison M. Grimes, AuDBoard ChairBoard Certified, American Board of Audiology & Director,Audiology and Newborn Hearing Screening UCLA HealthStrategic Plan 2016–20203

About the BoardThe Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and HearingAid Dispensers Board regulates the practices of speech-languagepathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing in California bylicensing those who meet minimum standards of competency.Among its functions, the Board promulgates laws and regulations;issues, renews, suspends, and revokes licenses; and imposesdisciplinary sanctions, when necessary.MissionWe protect the people of California by promoting standards andenforcing the laws and regulations that ensure the qualificationsand competence of providers of speech-language pathology,audiology, and hearing aid dispensing services.VisionEvery person in the State of California has access to diagnosis,treatment of communication disorders, and related services of thehighest quality.4Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

ValuesConsumer ProtectionWe make effective and informed decisions in the best interest ofand for the health and safety of Californians.EfficiencyWe diligently identify the best ways to deliver high-quality serviceswith the most efficient use of our resources.IntegrityWe are committed to honesty, ethical conduct, and responsibility.ProfessionalismWe ensure that qualified, proficient, and skilled staff provideservices to Californians.AccountabilityWe accept personal responsibility for our actions, exemplifyinghigh ethical standards and always striving to improve oureffectiveness.EffectivenessWe make informed decisions that make a difference and have apositive, measurable impact.ServiceWe acknowledge all stakeholders, listen to them, and take theirneeds into account.Strategic Plan 2016–20205

Strategic Goals1) LicensingThe Board ensures licensing standards that protectconsumers while permitting reasonable access intothe professions.2) EnforcementThe health and safety of California’s consumers areprotected through the active enforcement of thelaws and regulations governing the practices ofspeech-language pathology and audiology andhearing aid dispensing.3) OutreachConsumers and other stakeholders are educatedand informed about the practices, and laws andregulations governing the professions of speech-languagepathology and audiology and hearing aid dispensing.4) Laws and RegulationsThe health and safety of California consumers areprotected by the laws and regulations governingthe speech-language pathology and audiology andhearing aid dispensing.5) Program AdministrationThe Board efficiently and effectively utilizes resourcesand personnel to meet our goals and objectives.6Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

Goal 1: LicensingThe Board ensures licensing standards that protect consumerswhile permitting reasonable access into the professions.1.1 Evaluate licensing and examination requirements for alldisciplines to ensure fairness in the licensing processes.1.2 Shorten the licensing processing time (from applicationto issuance of the license) to better meet consumer andprofessional needs.1.3 Complete and submit a Budget Change Proposal (BCP)to request additional licensing positions to increase theavailability of services, reduce processing times, streamlineprocesses, and meet professional demand.1.4 Increase the frequency and number of locations for thehearing aid dispensers examination in order to increase accessfor applicants and more efficiently meet consumer demand formore licensed hearing aid dispensers.Strategic Plan 2016–20207

Goal 2: EnforcementThe health and safety of California’s consumers are protectedthrough the active enforcement of the laws and regulationsgoverning the practices of speech-language pathology andaudiology and hearing aid dispensing.2.1 Decrease enforcement timeframes to enhance publicprotection.2.2 Inform interested parties regarding disciplinary actionsto reduce the number of practitioner violations.2.3 Implement annual Board member enforcement trainingto improve Board member knowledge.2.4 Develop an ad-hoc Board member Enforcement Committee todiscuss enforcement issues and review enforcement processes.2.5 Document the Board’s enforcement policies and procedures tomaintain an enforcement knowledge base.2.6 Assess staffing needs to determine whether staffing resourcesare adequate to manage current and anticipated workload.8Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

Goal 3: OutreachConsumers and other stakeholders are educated and informedabout the practices and laws and regulations governing theprofessions of speech-language pathology and audiology andhearing aid dispensing.3.1 Require practitioners to display a consumer notice at thepractitioner’s point of service regarding the roles andresponsibilities of the Board.3.2 Expand Internet communication to encourage bidirectionalcommunication to actively engage consumers, licensees, andother stakeholders.3.3 Encourage stakeholder participation at Board meetingsto obtain feedback, increase transparency, and educatestakeholders.3.4 Complete and submit a BCP to request an additional outreachposition to educate consumers, licensees, university facultyand staff, along with other stakeholders about the practices,laws, and regulations governing Board professions.3.5 Develop presentation materials for Board member use tocost-effectively disseminate information to consumers,licensees, and students.Goal 4: Laws and RegulationsThe health and safety of California consumers are protected bythe laws and regulations governing the professions of speechlanguage pathology and audiology and hearing aid dispensing.4.1 Update continuing education (CE) requirements to facilitatethe license renewal process and improve ease of auditing.Strategic Plan 2016–20209

4.2 Complete and submit a BCP for a legislative analyst position toaddress the backlog of regulatory packages.4.3 Develop a Board member Laws and Regulations Committee toprioritize regulations and facilitate legislative analysis at Boardmeetings.4.4 Advocate for additional university programs graduatingAudiologists and Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) toaddress the shortage of professionals in California in theinterest of consumer access protection.4.5 Finalize existing regulation packages and proposals so thatBoard regulations remain current.4.6 Educate legislators on the importance of requiring SLPs andAudiologists who provide service in public schools to belicensed in order to improve consumer protection.4.7 Develop regulations regarding the appropriate level ofsupervision for trainees, aides, and assistants to safeguardconsumer protection and seek statutory changes if necessary.4.8 Review examination regulations and make necessary changesto increase clarity for applicants and stakeholders.4.9 Seek statutory authority to require hearing aid dispenserapplicants to complete a traineeship under a licensed hearingaid dispenser in order to become eligible to take the practicalMexam in the interest of consumer protection.4.10 Monitor federal regulation request for exemptions for onlinehearing aid sales in California to protect consumers and toimprove clarity for licensees.10Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

VISIONEvery person in the Stateof California has accessto diagnosis, treatment ofcommunication disorders,and related services of thehighest quality.

Goal 5: Program AdministrationThe Board efficiently and effectively utilizes resources andpersonnel to meet our goals and objectives.5.1 Increase capacity for Board and Committee deliberations andprogress in order to more effectively address a greater numberof Board-related issues in a timely manner.5.2 Address staffing needs to determine whether resources areadequate to manage current and anticipated workloads.5.3 Create, improve, and document all Board policies andprocedures to streamline processes and maximize efficiency.5.4 Implement training for staff, Board members, subjectmatter experts, and expert witnesses to maintain consistentcommunication and practices.5.5 Map existing Board processes in accordance with Departmentof Consumer Affairs’ release schedule to prepare for theBreEZe1 implementation.5.6 Identify Board processes that can be conducted electronicallyin order to increase staff efficiency and stakeholdersatisfaction.5.7 Monitor and protect the Board’s fund condition at theappropriate level to maintain the Board’s fiscal needs.BreEZe will be the Board’s new licensing and enforcement tracking systemdesigned to replace the Board’s existing legacy licensing system (ATS) andenforcement systems (CAS).112Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board