Dr. Jeanette Benigas and cohost Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, are joined by Mikayla Treynor, MA/SLP, to discuss the vital work being done by Fix SLP’s state teams, from addressing Medicaid CCC requirements to educating legislators on the impact of outdated policies. The team emphasizes the importance of persistence, collaboration, and education in driving meaningful change at both state and national levels.Looking ahead to 2025, Fix SLP has set ambitious goals to expand its efforts, target key states, and continue advocating for systemic reforms that empower clinicians. With updates on current projects and a call for volunteers to join the movement, this episode provides valuable insights and practical steps for those looking to make a difference in the field.Whether you’re an experienced advocate or just starting to explore these issues, this episode offers a compelling look at how Fix SLP is reshaping the future of SLP, one state at a time.Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★
As 2024 comes to a close, join Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MA/SLP, as they celebrate Fix SLP’s remarkable achievements and share their vision for an empowering 2025. From significant Medicaid credentialing changes to progress in eliminating barriers like the CCC requirement, they reflect on the year’s milestones and discuss their excitement for the road ahead.This episode features heartfelt wishes from listeners for the future of the field, actionable advice for clinicians at all career stages, and an inspiring call to elevate SLP voices, advocate for autonomy, and foster community. Jeanette and Preston discuss plans for a revamped website, a growing team, and expanded volunteer engagement, emphasizing the importance of resilience, collaboration, and meaningful change.Whether you’re a seasoned SLP or just starting your journey, this episode will leave you energized and ready to help shape the future of the profession. Let’s fix SLP—together.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, examine the financial landscape of speech-language pathology, highlighting ASHA's $65 million in cash reserves and $71 million in investments. They critique ASHA's spending priorities, including minimal investment in lobbying, and question how these funds could better support clinicians and the profession. Jeanette provides updates on the Fix SLP team's CCC and ASHA membership status, illustrating the team's commitment to autonomy and professional choice. This episode emphasizes the importance of systemic change, transparency, and grassroots advocacy to build a stronger future for SLPs.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Share your New Year's wish for the profession or Fix SLP for our next episode! ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode, Colleen Ashford, MS/SLP, joins Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, to share her first-time experience at the ASHA convention. She takes us inside the ASHA leadership Q&A at this year’s convention—where only a small handful of attendees showed up out of 13,000.From overhearing conversations about extravagant dinners to realizing how disconnected leadership is from the membership, Colleen takes us inside a space most clinicians never see. Her journey led her to a powerful decision: dropping the CCC.If you’re rethinking your ASHA membership, the CCC, or your role in shaping this field, this episode offers hard truths and a fresh perspective. Tune in as we challenge the systems holding clinicians back and prove that change doesn’t happen by waiting. It happens by fixing it.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, dig into ASHA’s revenue streams, breaking down key categories such as member dues, convention profits, and special interest groups while highlighting the ongoing lack of financial transparency. A powerful minivan meltdown story illustrates the importance of knowing your worth and standing firm against unfair opportunities. The team also celebrates a significant win for the Fix SLP community: ASHA restoring membership benefits for those opting out for 2025, thanks to collective advocacy. They round out the discussion with actionable strategies for redirecting CEU spending toward state conventions and small businesses, empowering clinicians to make meaningful changes in the field.If you love our work, please rate, review, and share this essential podcast with your colleagues!Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode of Fix SLP, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, discusses the hot topic of ASHA's finances, joined by Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP. The trio unpacks key insights from ASHA's 2023 Form 990, discussing eyebrow-raising numbers like the $1.3 million catering bill and the hefty salaries of executives. They also explore the transparency (or lack thereof) surrounding member dues, the CCC, and how ASHA allocates its revenue.Listen in as they address frustrations from SLPs nationwide, share actionable steps to advocate for change, and reveal how grassroots efforts are reshaping the field. Don't miss the Minivan Meltdown segment, where real stories from SLPs highlight the need for systemic reform.Rate, review, and share this essential podcast with your colleagues—let's fix SLP together!Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, tackle common myths in speech-language pathology, focusing on the necessity of the CCC. They debunk the misconception that the CCC is required to bill Medicare, emphasizing that Medicare policy is federal and does not vary by state. They clarify that reinstating the CCC involves only a fee, a passing Praxis score (if needed), and professional development—no college courses or back pay. Additionally, they confirm that only two and a half states (Nevada, Delaware, and Virginia) require the CCC for initial licensure. They discuss the role of the CCC in completing AAC assessments and dispel fears that removing the CCC requirement will hinder Medicaid reimbursement efforts, sharing real-world case studies to prove otherwise. Through their discussion, they empower SLPs to challenge misinformation, advocate for transparency, and make informed decisions about their professional credentials.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, share their reactions the morning after receiving the ASHA Board's decision not to amend Section 3.2 of their bylaws, despite significant support for the 2% bylaws petition, including 50,000 followers and nearly 2 million Instagram views in the last 90 days. The board cited the need to establish standard operating procedures for such petitions, prompting transparency and financial accountability concerns. They emphasize the importance of fair pricing for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and share that legal counsel has been engaged to continue advocating for change, urging SLPs to stay informed and united in this fight for autonomy and equity.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, discuss the latest updates from the Fix SLP movement, including a marathon trip to Delaware to advocate for fair licensure practices. They also discuss the importance of showing up for state boards, the ongoing fight against restrictive CCC requirements, and how Fix SLP fixers are making a real impact.This episode also features heartfelt messages from Fearless Fixers sharing what they’re thankful for in the field of SLP. From patient victories to professional growth, it reminds us why we do what we do.Tune in for advocacy insights, gratitude, and inspiration. Together, we don’t wait for change; we make it.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this urgent and eye-opening episode of the Fix SLP Podcast, Dr. Jeanette Benigas welcomes guests Jamie (Instagram: @straightupslp) and Lacey, two passionate advocates, and providers in New York’s Early Intervention (EI) system. Together, they expose critical failures in the state’s newly launched EI Hub platform—a case management and billing system riddled with technical issues, including non-functional billing, workflow disruptions, and alarming HIPAA and FERPA violations.Key topics include:The devastating impact of the EI Hub's failure on providers and families, with providers unable to bill for services and facing financial insecurity.The severe privacy breaches, allowing access to sensitive information across state lines, violating federal laws, and undermining trust in the system.Grassroots efforts to raise awareness, including contacting state representatives, the Attorney General, and pursuing class action lawsuits.Listeners will find resources and call to action at www.fixslp.com to join the fight for immediate change. Share this episode widely to support the providers and families who are directly affected by this crisis. Together, we can fix what’s broken.Catch this critical episode and help amplify the voices calling for reform!Check the Save EI Now website for the latest developments. Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode, co-hosts Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, continue the discussion on the impact of ASHA's membership and certification costs, examining alternative paths for SLPs and exploring ways clinicians can take ownership of their professional journey. They focus on key challenges within the field, such as certification, licensure, and autonomy. The episode also celebrates an advocacy win in Michigan that could positively impact hospital-based clinicians and address ongoing efforts in Delaware to prevent restrictive licensure requirements.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, announced that ASHA has responded to Fix SLP’s petition to amend its bylaws, noting a delay in the response despite the petition being received before the last board meeting. They shared Fix SLP's next steps and highlighted the challenges SLPs face with ASHA’s membership fees, emphasizing the need for better communication and transparency. Preston and Jeanette also reviewed ASHA’s membership options, explaining each in detail, and outlined practical steps for clinicians considering separation from ASHA, including formal resignation through ASHA’s resigned affidavit or adjusting renewal options to exclude membership fees.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Brooke Richardson, MS, SLP, break down the complexities of continuing education requirements in speech-language pathology, focusing on the costs, challenges, and the need for broader professional development choices with fewer restrictions for clinicians. Brooke, an ASHA CE provider, shares her insights into the rising financial burden of maintaining ASHA Approved CEU status, with fees set to increase to $1125 annually. Together, they explore why ASHA transparency is crucial and discuss how these growing costs affect small CEU providers and clinicians. They discuss the push for state licensing boards to accept all related professional development hours instead, promoting better access to high-quality, affordable education.Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this bonus episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas introduces Darla Torkelsen, the owner of Speech Therapy PD, to discuss an exciting new resource for SLPs. The duo talks about the new free CE Tracker, a tool designed to track professional development hours (PHDs) and continuing education units (CEUs), simplifying record-keeping for SLPs. Darla explains how the CE Tracker has been made accessible to everyone, detailing its ease of use, including uploading certificates from outside sources and generating comprehensive PDF transcript reports.Tune in to hear how this innovative tool can help you leave the other guys and streamline your CE tracking process for free!Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker.Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription!Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode of the Fix SLP podcast, host Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP dives into an insightful conversation with Lindsey Hokel, MS/SLP from Rock the R Speech. They discuss the complexities of navigating professional development in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, focusing on the challenges of providing quality continuing education while avoiding the expensive process of becoming an ASHA Approved CEU provider. Lindsey shares her decision to offer Professional Development Hours (PDHs) instead of ASHA Approved CEUs and the impact this has had on her business. The episode also covers the growing grassroots movement of Fix SLP, advocating for autonomy and transparency within the profession, and provides information on state CEU requirements and the efforts to improve state requirements to allow for any profession related PDHs. If you're an SLP seeking alternative PDH opportunities or interested in changing the field for the better, this episode is packed with valuable information and inspiration. Tune in to learn more about one of Fix SLP’s missions, Lindsey’s innovative work with Rock the R, and how you can get involved in the movement for change.Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode of the Fix SLP podcast, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, dive deep into the world of continuing education with special guest Dr. Meredith Harold, SLP, from The Informed SLP. They discuss the complexities behind ASHA Approved CEUs, the challenges small businesses face in the PDH/CEU landscape, and new resources for SLPs seeking more autonomy in their professional development. Plus, they explore how informed choices can shape the future of the field. Tune in to learn how to navigate the CEU process and why it's time for change in the SLP world.Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Ianessa Humbert, a renowned swallowologist, shares her journey from academia to founding Swallowing Wellness, a Maryland-based clinic focused on swallowing disorders. Despite facing an ethics complaint from ASHA and needing to retake the Praxis, she successfully navigated the Maryland licensing process without reinstating her CCC. Dr. Humbert emphasized the importance of autonomy in SLP practice and the challenges of credentialing without ASHA certification. She highlights her clinic's innovative approach and touches on the broader implications of SLP autonomy and the potential for private practice to drive systemic change.Check out https://www.swallowingwellness.com/ for a closer look at what Dr. Humbert is doing.Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, discuss the recent petition submitted to ASHA, which aims to push for financial transparency and fair pricing of the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC). They share behind-the-scenes challenges in gathering thousands of signatures and highlight the growing impact of Fix SLP across the U.S. They also reflect on Fix SLP's first year of achievements and share goals for continued grassroots efforts in the coming year to further reforms in speech-language pathology.Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, welcome Zane Rankin, MS/SLP, and Sierra Creason for an inspiring episode. Zane shares his groundbreaking journey as the FIRST SLP in Arkansas credentialed for billing without the CCC. Despite facing medical retirement and discovering his CCC was unceremoniously stripped by ASHA, Zane found a way back with the support of Sierra and the Wolf Wellness Center. Don’t miss this heartwarming story of resilience and support that will leave you feeling uplifted! Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★
Dr. Jeanette Benigas talks with Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP Fix SLP's content coordinator, about the information she uncovered while looking at ASHA's financial reports and the questions she started to have about ASHA's land, office building, and rentals. ASHA's lack of financial transparency has left clinicians speculating where the money goes and why the dues cost has increased. In this episode, the pair discuss what is known for sure, what isn't known at all, and potential solutions to the problem of a multi-million dollar building that cannot be leased and doesn't appear to be occupied much by ASHA.Become a sustaining partner.Follow us on Instagram.Find all of our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted of new episodes and content.Email us at team@fixslp.com.Leave us a message on our Meltdown in the Minivan line. ★ Support this podcast ★