It is the mission of the speech & hearing program to secure the highest quality personnel, resources, and materials in order to provide the highest quality of services to students with communication impairments. The speech & hearing program provides a continuum of services for communication-impaired students, including early identification, evaluation, therapy, and consultation. Speech therapy services are provided when it is documented that the student needs services to benefit from the educational program. These services are collaborative and focus on skills that promote attainment of educational objectives. Service delivery models may vary according to the needs of the student, and may include direct, consultative, and tracking/monitoring. Frequency of services is based on the student’s needs. Speech, hearing, and language services are provided for students identified according to the guidelines of the Louisiana Bulletin 1508. Services are provided for students ages 3-21 enrolled in Jefferson Parish Schools. Preschoolers (3-5 years) who attend school in Jefferson Parish and meet 1508 criteria may receive speech therapy in a JP Schools school setting. We also provide therapy for non-public speech-impaired students in a non-public setting according to the school accreditation.

Communication disorders may be exhibited by an impairment in any one or combination of the following:

• Articulation
• Fluency
• Language
• Voice

The Speech and Language Support for All (SALSA) initiative aims to support students presenting with deficits in literacy, numeracy, or behavior through the efforts and expertise of school-based Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP). Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) provides services and resources to students and teachers of students whose primary means of communication is not oral.