Advocacy Updates

VSHA Advocacy Update from the State Capitol  (Junuary 30, 2026)

Meeting with VT-NEA

VSHA leadership met with Vermont-NEA (VT-NEA), the statewide teachers’ union representing educators and many school-based professionals across Vermont.

Representing VSHA were:
Sierra Downs, MA, CCC-SLP, President
Miya Wilson, MA, CCC-SLP, Treasurer and Legislative Chair
Nicole Lord, BA, SLPA, SLPA Liaison

Our discussion focused on three core pillars guiding VSHA’s legislative advocacy:

1. One License Pathway
We advocated for streamlining professional oversight by consolidating licensure under the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), rather than maintaining dual oversight between OPR and the Agency of Education (AOE). A single licensure pathway strengthens professional standards, reduces redundancy, and aligns speech-language pathology with other regulated professions in Vermont.

2. SLPA Licensure, Regulation, and Recognition
We emphasized the urgent need to establish formal licensure and regulatory standards for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs). Vermont currently lacks structured regulatory oversight of SLPAs, resulting in inconsistencies in training, supervision, and accountability. Formal licensure through OPR would provide professional recognition, protect students, and support supervising SLPs.

3. Salary Advocacy for School-Based SLPs
We addressed compensation inequities affecting school-based SLPs. School SLPs are often on the teacher salary scale. Recruitment and retention challenges persist statewide, particularly in rural districts. Competitive and equitable salary structures are essential to sustaining the workforce and ensuring continued access to services for Vermont students.

Testimony Before HGO

VSHA leadership also appeared in person before the Vermont House Government Operations Committee (HGO) at the State Capitol.

Sierra Downs, Miya Wilson, and Nicole Lord were present at the front of the committee room to provide testimony and answer questions regarding SLPA regulation and licensure reform.

HGO oversees professional regulation and licensure matters in Vermont. During testimony, VSHA emphasized the importance of formally including SLPA licensure in the upcoming OPR bill and requested that the proposal undergo a Sunrise Review through OPR. The last Sunrise Review related to speech-language pathology occurred in 2014. Given the evolution of workforce needs, supervision standards, and service delivery models, an updated review is warranted.

We reinforced that SLPA regulation is both a workforce solution and a quality assurance measure. Establishing licensure standards protects students, clarifies supervision expectations, and aligns Vermont with national regulatory models.

VSHA will continue to advocate for these priorities and will provide updates as the OPR bill progresses.