Executive Order Number Eighty-Four Creating A Task Force To Study Licensed Speech/Language Pathologists
WHEREAS, it is necessary to have a sufficient number of qualified speech/language pathologists in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, speech/language pathologists in Delaware must be regulated by the state and possess a valid professional license in order to protect the safety and well being and provide high quality services for Delaware citizens; and
WHEREAS, in order to be a licensed speech/language pathologists in Delaware, a person must have earned a Master’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university; and
WHEREAS, such Master’s degree is required to entail a major emphasis in speech language pathology, audiology, communication disorder or speech/language and hearing science; and
WHEREAS, there is no college or university in Delaware that currently offers a Master’s degree with an emphasis in the applicable subjects in order for a person to become a licensed speech/language pathologist in our state; and
WHEREAS, potential licensed speech/language pathologists from Delaware must complete their educational requirements in other states, often finding competitive jobs in our surrounding states and not returning to Delaware to provide such critical services; and
WHEREAS, the demand for licensed speech/language pathologists in Delaware has continued to increase and the demand for licensed speech/language pathologists in Delaware is not being met; and
WHEREAS, the public school system in Delaware, which is vital to the educational development of our children, is currently facing a severe shortage of licensed speech/language pathologists, and there is a need to confront this shortage and develop strategies to address this demand for critical services in our state.
NOW THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby declare and order the following:
1. A Task Force is created to examine issues surrounding the shortage of licensed speech/language pathologists in the State of Delaware and develop recommendations to address that shortage.
2. The members of the Task Force shall consist of the following:
a. two members of the Delaware House of Representatives appointed by the Governor, one to be appointed from each Caucus;
b. two members of the Delaware Senate appointed by the Governor, one to be appointed from each Caucus;
c. the Secretary of Education for the State of Delaware or her designee;
d. one representative from the Early Childhood and Exceptional Children’s WINK Group in the Department of Education;
e. one representative from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services;
f. one representative from Easter Seals, appointed by the Easter Seals;
g. one representative from A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children, appointed by the Hospital;
h. the Provost of the University of Delaware or his designee;
i. one representative from the Education Department of Delaware State University;
j. the State Speech/Language Pathologist;
k. one member of the business community appointed by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce;
l. one representative of the Delaware Speech and Hearing Association’s Executive Council, appointed by the Council;
m. one member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, appointed by the Council;
n. the Director of Family and Workplace Connection or her designee; and
o. one parent of a child in Delaware with developmental and learning needs appointed by the Governor.
All members shall serve during the pleasure of the person or authority appointing them.
3. The Chairperson of the Task Force shall be appointed from among its members by the Governor and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
4. The Task Force shall develop recommendations for improving the shortage of licensed speech/language pathologists in Delaware, including the identification of revenue sources for the implementation of an accredited Master’s program at a college and/or university in Delaware.
5. The Task Force shall submit its findings to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Governor by June 15, 2006.
Approved: April 13, 2006
