School Contracting 101 [Recorded]

Course Number: ABIO2407

When: Recorded playback is available between available March 25, 2024 – March 25, 2029.

Where: Available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this session, we discuss how to become a school contractor so that SLPs are working with a school and not for them. We will define who is a good candidate for this kind of position and the basic steps to take to become a school contractor.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professionals that are licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
A professional who is looking to start a business or has an established business.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

Any professional that does not currently work in the field providing treatment or plans to in the near future.
Professionals that solely are looking to work for another company or in a medical or school setting.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Elise Mitchell, M.S., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Elise Mitchell, M.S. CCC-SLP graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 and quickly entered the world of schools by working for virtual staffing companies for six years as an SLP, school sales person, and as a manager. After years of working with virtual services and provider management, Elise stepped away from the school staffing industry as she found herself suffering from burnout and low job satisfaction. However, shortly after stepping away, an opportunity to directly contract with a school fell into her lap, and Elise discovered that she loved working WITH schools but not FOR them (or anyone else).

In 2019, Elise founded The Therapist Support Network with the goal of providing school SLP, OT, and PT contractors with materials, community, and support. She’s the creator of “The School Contractor Packet”, “School Contractor Training”, and “The School Staffing Packet and Training”, three resources created to simplify the process of contracting for individual contractors and/or therapist-run small businesses.

When she’s not contracting or coaching, Elise is spending time with her family on their little farm in Missouri!

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Elise Mitchell has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Financial-owner of The Therapist Support Network

Elise Mitchell has the following nonfinancial relationships to disclose: Elise is a member of ASHA.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Define school contracting
Identify the characteristics that make an individual a suitable candidate for contracting
List 3 basic steps involved in school contracting
Describe contracting with schools and delegating responsibilities

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	What is School Contracting
15 min	What makes someone a good or bad candidate for school contracting
15 min	Basic steps to becoming a school contractor
10 min	What its like to contract with schools and delegate responsibilities
5 min	Closing, Discussion, and Questions