Advocacy in Action: How NYSSLHA Advances Policy, Practice, and Professional Priorities in New York State
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This session will provide participants with an overview of the legislative priorities and professional issues impacting speech language pathologists and audiologists in New York State. In addition to outlining current policy challenges, the workshop will describe the structure and function of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee, including how its volunteer leaders monitor legislation, collaborate with lobbyists, and engage members in grassroots advocacy. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how NYSSLHA develops its advocacy agenda, responds to emerging regulatory changes, and works with state agencies, lawmakers, and allied organizations to protect and advance the interests of communication professionals and the individuals and communities they serve.
The session will also highlight the association’s year round advocacy strategies such as legislative action alerts, member mobilization, coalition building, lobby day, and demonstrate how these efforts shape equitable and effective practices across diverse clinical and educational settings. This session will offer insights into ways the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association (NYSSLHA) advocates for collaborative solutions to address these challenges while promoting high quality, accessible services for all New Yorkers.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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State several current legislative and regulatory issues affecting speech language pathologists and audiologists in New York State, including how these issues influence service delivery across clinical and educational settings.
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Describe effective advocacy strategies used to engage policymakers and stakeholders and ways NYSSLHA members can become engaged in advocacy efforts.
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Describe the structure, roles, and functions of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee, including how it monitors policy developments, collaborates with stakeholders, and guides statewide advocacy initiatives.
DATE AND TIME:
Day: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM EST
PRESENTER/BIO:
Lisa Mener
Lisa Mener, Au.D., CCC-A is an ASHA-certified and New York State-licensed audiologist who practices in a hospital setting. Her clinical focus includes amplification, cochlear implant programming, and comprehensive diagnostic audiological evaluations for both adult and pediatric populations. She also routinely performs auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and provides intraoperative monitoring in the operating room. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Mener serves as an adjunct professor, where she teaches graduate students pursuing either an Au.D. or a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is also the past president of the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA) and is actively involved in advocacy and advancing the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
Lisa has no financial disclosures. Lisa is the Past-President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association.
George Pagano
George Pagano is an ASHA Certified and NYS Licensed Speech Language Pathologist with a clinical focus on supporting adolescents in school settings, particularly in the areas of language and cognitive development. He is deeply committed to advancing advocacy, strengthening counseling practices, and fostering effective interprofessional collaboration. He has presented at numerous conferences at the national, state, and local level. George is the current President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association and serves on ASHA’s Committee of Ambassadors as the SLP representative for NY State.
George has no financial disclosures. George is the current President of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association.
Kayla Bogdanowicz
Kayla Bogdanowicz is a Senior Associate at the Albany-based lobby firm, Reid, McNally & Savage, specializing in health care, public health, and health insurance policy. Prior to joining Reid, McNally & Savage, Kayla served in New York State government including roles in the NYS Division of the Budget, SUNY System Administration and the New York State Assembly. Kayla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.
Kayla has no financial disclosures.
TIME ORDERED AGENDA:
7:00- 7:10 Welcome, Introductions, and Session Overview
7:10- 7:30 Overview of current NYS legislative priorities impacting SLPs and audiologists and examples of recent advocacy wins, challenges, and ongoing policy efforts.
7:30- 7:45 Overview of NYSSLHA’s Government Affairs Committee and its collaboration with the association’s lobbyists to monitor legislation.
7:45- 8:10 Strategies for effective grassroots engagement and member mobilization
8:10- 8:25 Question and Answer Session with Presenter and Moderators, featuring member submitted questions gathered through a pre-session poll.
8:25-8:30 Closing remarks
Zoom Information
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