The holiday, observed on June 19, is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, and has been celebrated by communities across the country for more than a century.

But Juneteenth didn't become federally-recognized until 2021, when President Biden signed legislation adding it to the government holiday calendar after both its name and significance rose to the forefront of national conversations the previous year with the resurgence and momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-juneteenth-origin-history-name/

What is a key component of a successful special education leader in a school system? Well, many special education leaders claim to be data driven but in reality lack the tools in understanding how to make systemic changes and move the needle of progress. It is important to know the hard cold reality that students with disabilities are typically the lowest performing subgroup when it comes to key indicators in school divisions. The general education population has access to a wealth of data tools to track and measure progress but special education programs are being left behind by many data rich vendors and software programs due to low expectation and neglect.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-data-driven-you-improving-outcomes-students-anu-upadhyaya/

Here's your reminder to complete your Liricare profiles! What are your biggest challenges when completing your profile (e.g., time constraints, needing clarification on the perks of completing a profile, or knowing how to complete yours)? Let me know! I'm glad to give you some tips I used to make it easy.

https://www.xceptionalleaders.com/cultural-diversity-in-the-speech-language-pathology-space-with-dr-li-rong-cheng/

MERIDIAN, Idaho — Summer's here and for many kids that means off to camp. However, some need a little extra hand when it comes to communicating.

Again this year, St. Luke’s, ISU,and Idaho Assistive Technology Project are hosting The Advancing Adventures in Communication camp, helping individuals who rely on the use of Speech Generation Devices or Voice Output Communication Aids, often referred to as 'talkers,' to improve their communication skills.

https://www.kivitv.com/news/the-aac-camp-is-for-those-who-need-an-extra-hand-when-it-comes-to-communicating

At CMSC 2023, the neuromuscular and movement disorders speech-language pathologist at Orlando Health discussed the importance of early intervention in speech and communication therapy, as well as the challenges faced in getting patients to seek therapy at the time of diagnosis.

https://www.neurologylive.com/view/overcoming-challenges-early-intervention-speech-therapy-ms-rachel-haines

On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. 🙏🏼 Their courage and selflessness will forever be etched in our hearts. Today, we pay tribute to their extraordinary commitment and express our deepest gratitude. Let us never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Augmentative and alternative communication tools help people who have difficulty with speech. Sam Sennott of Portland State University says building these tools with artificial intelligence is increasing and enhancing options for users.

https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/how-ai-is-helping-people-speak/

Happy National Speech and Language Day!

To all the Speech Language Therapists in our community, today we gather not just as colleagues and peers, but as a dedicated, passionate community with a shared mission. Today, we honor the transformative work that we do and the profound impact we have on the lives we touch. Happy National Speech and Language Day!

On this day, we celebrate the skill, dedication, and compassion that each and every one of you brings to your work as speech therapists. Our role is not merely a job; it's a calling to uplift lives, unlock potential, and transform futures. We witness daily how our efforts can help a child tell their parents they love them, allow an adult to regain their voice after a stroke, or give a person struggling with a stutter the confidence to speak in front of a crowd. The power of our work is immeasurable, and its impact is far-reaching.

Here at Liricare, we believe in empowering people through communication. We celebrate the beauty of diversity in the ways that we communicate, and we strive to bridge the gaps that speech and language barriers can sometimes create. We know that every voice matters and every voice deserves to be heard.

As speech therapists, we are truly the architects of communication. We design the tools and build the bridges that help our patients connect with the world around them. Today, let's pause to acknowledge the extraordinary work that we do, but also the responsibility we carry.

As we mark National Speech and Language Day, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each member of our Liricare community. Your unwavering commitment, your compassionate care, and your constant pursuit of professional excellence inspire not just your patients, but everyone around you.

Let's continue to uplift one another, share our experiences and wisdom, and celebrate our successes. After all, we are stronger together. We are a beacon of hope for those we serve, and together, we are making a difference, one word at a time.

Happy National Speech and Language Day! Here's to us, to the lives we change, and to the future we're shaping.

Many SLPs struggle with money mindset due to our empathic nature. Despite our service hearts, we should feel empowered to ask for the compensation we deserve! A lot of our time and energy is placed in helping others feel heard and supported. We should feel the same.

I appreciate the new "Hiring and Salaries" section on Liricare.com to help SLPs and educators receive the compensation that truly matches the fruits of our labor.

Thank you Liricare!