The JPPSS Speech and Hearing Services Division has been named 2017 Outstanding Public School Program of the Year by the LSHA. Pictured are (back row from left) Pamela Culotta, Leigh Anne Vogt, Kathy Murphy, Jonell Martin, Jade Gambino, Ariane Dymond, Jenna McMurphy, (front row from left) Felice Glapion, Margaret Kirtland, Suzette Perrin, Tara Salsman, and Jody Rigdon. Coordinator of Speech, Hearing, and Autism Rosemary Kerrin is not pictured.
The Jefferson Parish Public School System has been recognized at the state level for the speech and hearing services it provides children throughout Jefferson Parish.
The Louisiana Speech and Hearing Association awarded the JPPSS Speech and Hearing Services Division the 2017 Outstanding Public School Program of the Year.
“Congratulations to these dedicated educators for receiving this prestigious honor,” said JPPSS Superintendent Isaac G. Joseph. “Children all over Jefferson Parish benefit from our speech and hearing professionals. It’s one of the many ways we serve the needs of all students.”
The Speech and Hearing Services Division serves approximately 4,000 students. In addition to their work with students at every JPPSS campus, the team of 115 professionals also serves non-public school students and children who are too young to start school.
Some of the essential services they provide children include individual group therapy for children with articulation, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Through the aid of these speech and hearing professionals in JPPSS schools, many of the students they serve are able to remain in a traditional classroom.
The LSHA is the statewide professional association for Louisiana audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.
LSHA is the state association affiliated with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). As an affiliate, ASHA’s state advocacy team advocates on issues related to the professions at the state and local level, and provides members and state speech-language hearing associations with assistance and resources.