Speak Out April 2019

Association news i i

Board meeting report for March 2019

Competency Based Occupational Standard (CBOS) The review of CBOS continues to progress well. The Competency Standards Advisory Committee recently met to discuss the feedback received from the focus group meetings held. A further member consultation forum will be held at the Joint Conference in June 2019. See page 10 for further details. Research grants Approval was provided for the development of a Clinician- Researcher Partnership grant, with selection criteria and budget parameters to be determined. Communication access In 2018 Speech Pathology Australia, on behalf of the Communication Access Alliance (CAA), commissioned a literature review to determine the current legislative and policy context for communication support needs and to inform and guide the development of national communication access standards. The literature review report, finalised in December 2018, was recently ratified by the Communication Access Alliance and will be made available on the Association’s website in coming months. Work towards national standards for communication accessibility continues, with a recent meeting held with Standards Australia to further explore the process and discuss the potential of hosting a roadmap forum. The Board acknowledged that the process, involving a collaboration of key organisations, is progessing steadily, however the formation of national standards is likely to occur within a future strategic plan. 70th year anniversary of Speech Pathology Australia Consideration was given to celebrating and promoting the Association’s 70th Year Anniversary in 2019, with a range of ideas formulated and member engagement opportunities to be promoted. The Board will next meet on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May 2019.

The first Board meeting for 2019 was held in Melbourne on 15 - 16 March. A broad range of topics were discussed, with some of the highlights noted below. 2018 Financial Year Accounts and Audit outcomes The meeting featured a presentation of the 2018 Financial Year Accounts and Audit outcomes, by the Association’s appointed auditors HLB Mann Judd. The Financial Statements will be provided to all members within the 2018 Annual Report. Members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony, scheduled to be held at 6.00pm, Monday 6 June 2019 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. SP2030 The Association continues to embrace the eight aspirations identified through the SP2030 project, with these aspirations having informed the current strategic plan and many of the projects undertaken by the Association. Further member engagement with the aspirations is being sought, with new communications to be formed. Innovation Awards The Innovation Awards comprise of two awards aimed at recognising Innovation in Professional Practice and Innovation in Research. Further details regarding these awards will be advertised in the coming months. The inaugural recipient/s of Speech Pathology Australia’s Innovation Awards will be announced during Speech Pathology Week 2019. (See the previous page for more information.) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation The Association will further demonstrate commitment to reconciliation through the launch of a Reconciliation Action Plan (in June 2019) and the release of an apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Resources to support cultural awareness training for members will be rolled out ahead of introducing the requirement to undertake training in order to progress from provisional to full Certified Practising Speech Pathologist status (for the 2020/21 renewal period). University Accreditation Model Speech Pathology Australia will introduce a new University Accreditation model aimed at ensuring the delivery of high- quality speech pathology programs, across the entire term of accreditation. The new model will also be accompanied by a revised fee structure.

Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer

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April 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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