Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Long Beach SLPs urge district to reinvest Medi‑Cal funds, restore CEU support
Summary
Speech‑language pathologists told the Long Beach Unified board they generate roughly $1 million a year through Medi‑Cal billing and asked the district to restore continuing‑education reimbursements, stop requiring personal‑necessity days for mandated conferences, and publish an itemized Medi‑Cal allocation.
Speech‑language pathologists from across Long Beach Unified told the school board on May 18 that the district should reinvest Medi‑Cal revenue to cover professional licensing costs and conference reimbursement.
At public comment, Francisco Lopez said the district received $13.7 million in Medi‑Cal revenue for 2024–25 with $3.6 million in carryover — about $17.3 million available — and argued that those funds should help pay for required continuing education. “How can the district claim a lack of resources for speech and language services when our profession generates such substantial funding?” Lopez asked.
Multiple speakers described policy changes that now require SLPs to use personal‑necessity days to attend in‑person, license‑required conferences. Katie Field McDonough, an assistive‑technology specialist, said about 700 students are supported by AAC devices and that reinstating the $500 continuing‑education reimbursement for SLPs would cost roughly $75,000: “A very small investment in professionals who give so much to our students every day.”
SLPs argued the decision reduces equity and risks service continuity. Michelle Morrisey said large caseloads and eliminated CEU support make maintaining licensure and billing Medicaid untenable. Barbara Cunningham noted that clinicians are now absorbing leadership duties without comparable compensation and that many SLPs pay out of pocket for materials.
Speakers requested three specific actions: an itemized public accounting of Medi‑Cal revenue and how it is allocated; restoration of CEU and conference reimbursement; and a change in district policy so SLPs do not have to use personal leave for required professional development. Several speakers emphasized that without CEUs they cannot legally bill Medi‑Cal.
The board did not take immediate action during the meeting on those requests. Board members acknowledged hearing the concerns and said staff would follow up with documentation on Medi‑Cal allocations and contract details during upcoming budget discussions.
Next steps: SLPs asked the district to provide an itemized breakdown and a timeline for policy change; district staff committed to follow up as part of the budget and LCAP implementation work in June.
