Graduate Students join our chat!

Calling all graduate students. Join us at our event.

A space for all SLP graduate students to ask questions and meet other graduates. Come and talk and share your stories. Students from all programs are encouraged to attend. Drop in and bring your favorite drink!

All members and nonmembers are welcome to attend.

Students who attend the Cafecito event will receive a $10 membership discount.

Your hosts: Ashley Mercado and Caron Hinton

Date: Friday, May 8, 2026

Time: 6:00-7:00 pm EST

Zoom Information 

Zoom Link for quick access to the meeting.

Zoom ID: 826 1487 9112

Zoom Password: 537728

 Advocacy in Action: How NYSSLHA Advances Policy, Practice, and Professional Priorities in New York State

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  COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session will provide participants with an overview of the legislative priorities and professional issues impacting speech language pathologists and audiologists in New York State. In addition to outlining current policy challenges, the workshop will describe the structure and function of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee, including how its volunteer leaders monitor legislation, collaborate with lobbyists, and engage members in grassroots advocacy. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how NYSSLHA develops its advocacy agenda, responds to emerging regulatory changes, and works with state agencies, lawmakers, and allied organizations to protect and advance the interests of communication professionals and the individuals and communities they serve.

The session will also highlight the association’s year round advocacy strategies such as legislative action alerts, member mobilization, coalition building, lobby day, and demonstrate how these efforts shape equitable and effective practices across diverse clinical and educational settings. This session will offer insights into ways the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association (NYSSLHA) advocates for collaborative solutions to address these challenges while promoting high quality, accessible services for all New Yorkers.

   COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. State several current legislative and regulatory issues affecting speech language pathologists and audiologists in New York State, including how these issues influence service delivery across clinical and educational settings. 

2. Describe effective advocacy strategies used to engage policymakers and stakeholders and ways NYSSLHA members can become engaged in advocacy efforts. 

3. Describe the structure, roles, and functions of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee, including how it monitors policy developments, collaborates with stakeholders, and guides statewide advocacy initiatives.

    DATE AND TIME:

Day: Thursday, May 28, 2026

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM EST

   PRESENTER/BIO:

Lisa Mener

Lisa Mener, Au.D., CCC-A is an ASHA-certified and New York State-licensed audiologist who practices in a hospital setting. Her clinical focus includes amplification, cochlear implant programming, and comprehensive diagnostic audiological evaluations for both adult and pediatric populations. She also routinely performs auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and provides intraoperative monitoring in the operating room. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Mener serves as an adjunct professor, where she teaches graduate students pursuing either an Au.D. or a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is also the past president of the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA) and is actively involved in advocacy and advancing the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.

Lisa has no financial disclosures. Lisa is the Past-President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association.

George Pagano

George Pagano is an ASHA Certified and NYS Licensed Speech Language Pathologist with a clinical focus on supporting adolescents in school settings, particularly in the areas of language and cognitive development. He is deeply committed to advancing advocacy, strengthening counseling practices, and fostering effective interprofessional collaboration. He has presented at numerous conferences at the national, state, and local level. George is the current President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association and serves on ASHA’s Committee of Ambassadors as the SLP representative for NY State.

George has no financial disclosures. George is the current President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association.

Kayla Bogdanowicz

Kayla Bogdanowicz is a Senior Associate at the Albany-based lobby firm, Reid, McNally & Savage, specializing in health care, public health, and health insurance policy. Prior to joining Reid, McNally & Savage, Kayla served in New York State government including roles in the NYS Division of the Budget, SUNY System Administration and the New York State Assembly. Kayla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

Kayla has no financial disclosures.

   TIME ORDERED AGENDA:

7:00- 7:10 Welcome, Introductions, and Session Overview

7:10- 7:30 Overview of current NYS legislative priorities impacting SLPs and audiologists and examples of recent advocacy wins, challenges, and ongoing policy efforts.

7:30- 7:45 Overview of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee and its collaboration with the association’s lobbyists to monitor legislation.

7:45- 8:10 Strategies for effective grassroots engagement and member mobilization

8:10- 8:25 Question and Answer Session with Presenter and Moderators, featuring member submitted questions gathered through a pre-session poll.

8:25-8:30 Closing remarks

  Zoom Information

How to Join a Zoom Meeting? Click on this hyperlink to view a short video.

Click on the meeting link to join Zoom Meeting Link

You can also copy and paste this link to your web browser:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86932931908?pwd=MFNLTta4YpahXkDeOKUdCF3SSVHynM.1

Meeting ID: 869 3293 1908

Passcode: 180837

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In partnership with the American Institute for Stuttering, this course is offered for 0.55 ASHA CEUs.

Navigating challenging conversations in stuttering therapy across the lifespan equips speech-language pathologists with counseling-informed skills to engage confidently in the emotionally complex conversations central to stuttering-affirming care. This course reframes tough conversations as therapeutic moments that support autonomy, participation, and long-term communication well-being.

Through case vintage, video roleplays, and group discussions centered around clients who stutter across the lifespan, participants learn practical strategies—including reflective listening, validation, open-ended questioning, and motivational interviewing principles - to address parental or client urgency, uncertainty, shame, avoidance, and internalized stigma. Clinicians leave with concrete language and tools to navigate difficult moments with clarity, compassion, and intention.

Presenters:

Heather Grossman, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF

Mark O'Malia, MS, CCC-SLP

Fee: $300 (before 5/15) or $350 (after 5/15)

Register with the American Institute for Stuttering.

Register here

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   COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session will examine commonly observed student-specific, team-based, and systemic barriers to AAC implementation within the school setting. These challenges and misconceptions will be defined and discussed in relation to student access to and success with using AAC. Finally, evidence-based practices centered around a team approach will be provided to address the identified barriers.

   COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Define barriers to AAC implementation based on student-specific, team based, or systemic factors.

2. Analyze how common barriers to AAC can influence successful carryover of communication skills across school settings.

3. Develop effective AAC implementation strategies centered around evidence-based practices, individualized student communication needs, and a whole team approach.

    DATE AND TIME:

Day: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Time: 6:00-7:00 pm EST

           5:00-6:00 pm CST

   PRESENTER/BIO:

Carly Franzgrote, MS., CCC-SLP

Franzgrote began her career working with individuals with autism and related disabilities when she was in college as a respite care provider. Her work as a respite care provider inspired her to continue working with this population as she began her career as a speech-language pathologist. As a speech-language pathologist, she supported individuals with complex communication needs within school settings. While working as a speech-language pathologist, Franzgrote gained extensive knowledge in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication and functional communication. Additionally, she encouraged carry over of her student’s communication skills by providing training and support to her colleagues who also worked with students on her caseload. From this experience, Franzgrote discovered a passion for coaching.

Franzgrote received her BA in elementary education with an endorsement in special education from St. Ambrose University. She then earned an MS in speech-language pathology from the same university. In addition to her degrees, Franzgrote holds an LBS1 certification and a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Financial: Carly Franzgrote receives a salary from Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford for full-time employment as an Autism Specialist with the Illinois Autism Partnership.

   TIME ORDERED AGENDA:

  Zoom Information

How to Join a Zoom Meeting? Click on this hyperlink to view a short video.

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You can also copy and paste this link to your web browser: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81692325270?pwd=Cggf00w3VcM2Fn85oLan2J1p1E9mDL.1

Meeting ID: 816 9232 5270

Passcode: 301157

Make sure to save the Zoom details above. You will need it to join the webinar.