A grow your own (GYO) program is a partnership between a university and its local or state education authorities. The goal is to support the development of clinical skills of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and/or speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) working in schools across the United States. GYO programs create a recruitment pipeline.
ASHA held a virtual focus group with seven professionals who have established successful GYO programs for SLPs and SLPAs in Arizona, Maryland, and Texas. The purpose of this focus group was to obtain information regarding
The GYO programs that were represented have existed for 10–30 years. Most of the professionals we spoke with began their program in response to a need for more SLPs and SLPAs in schools. They did so by creating partnerships between school districts, their state’s Department of Education, and/or nearby universities.
Two common benefits for GYO program participants include (1) getting paid as a school district employee while enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders program and (2) receiving tuition support.
Participating in a GYO typically leads to securing employment opportunities immediately after completing the program. Some GYO programs have a post-graduation requirement to work in the county or school district for a certain period (e.g., 1–3 years).
Also, some GYO programs prioritize bilingual applicants and provide bilingual SLP supervisors for their graduate extern experiences.
Participants identified funding (e.g., grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the state department of education; local education authority budgets; donations from foundations) as the biggest challenge when starting their GYO.
Sustaining their GYO programs requires building and maintaining relationships with leaders in schools, departments of education, and universities.
Maintaining these relationships requires communication regarding
This requirement can be challenging as staff members leave an organization and as relationships with new staff are formed.
The National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services (NCPSSERS) offers recorded presentations highlighting GYO programs. See these two resources:
The following states have been successful in establishing GYO programs for SLPs and SLPAs:
SLPs: Jennifer Crum, Director of Student Services, Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center
If you have questions or know of any additional GYO programs, let us know! Contact schools@asha.org.