SLPA & SLP Mentor Programs

The SLPA Student Mentor Program offers eligible SLPs who supervise students - mentors - financial compensation and supervision support when they dedicate their time to furthering the SLP profession by mentoring students. 

Program Requirements:

To be eligible for compensation for mentoring an SLPA student, you must: 

1. Work in a rural district -OR- work in a district that employs SLPAs
2. Possess a certificate of completion or concurrent completion of CDE’s SLPA Supervision Online Course
3. Possess a current CDE Special Services Provider license

Program Compensation:

$500 per student per semester, limit one student per mentor. Two supervisors working together to supervise one student will be compensated $250 each.

Mentorship Program Important Dates

Supervision Support:

Required: CDE SLPA Supervision Online Course. Register for the CDE SLPA Supervision course (registration form). 

Optional: ASHA Supervision Course (ASHA website)

All ASHA Courses that Meet Supervision Requirements (ASHA website)

Intern Support:

Rural SSP Stipend (UNCO website)

NSSLHA's Guide to finding Externships and CFYs (NSSLHA's Blog)

Colorado School-Based Jobs through ASHA (ASHA Career Portal)

Colorado School-Based Jobs through CDE (Google Doc)

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The SLP Intern Mentor Program offers eligible SLPs who supervise graduate student interns - mentors - financial compensation and supervision support when they dedicate their time to furthering the SLP profession by mentoring students from Metro State University (MSU). 

To be eligible for compensation for mentoring an SLP intern, you must: 

1. Attend a mentorship support course offered by Shani O’Brien, Speech-Language Specialist and MSU faculty
2. Possess a certificate of completion or concurrent completion of CDE’s SLPA Supervision Online Course
3. Possess a current CDE Special Services Provider license

Mentors are compensated $250 per student per semester, limit one student per mentor, for MSU students only. 

Supervision Support:

Required: Mandatory Trauma-Informed Supervision Training offered by Shani O’Brien, Speech-Language Specialist and MSU faculty, virtual.  

Required: CDE SLPA Supervision Online Course. Register for SLP Supervision Online Course (Registration form) 

Optional: ASHA Supervision Course

All ASHA Courses that Meet Supervision Requirements

Intern Support:

Rural SSP Stipend (UNC website)

NSSLHA's Guide to finding Externships and CFYs (NSSLHA Blog)

Colorado School-Based Jobs through ASHA (ASHA Career Portal)

Colorado School-Based Jobs through CDE (Google Doc)

SLP Mentorship Program Important Dates

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What is a mentor?

A mentor or supervisor is a licensed SLP who has agreed to supervise and educate a students (ie. an SLPA student or SLP graduate student intern). “Mentors” were previously known as “supervisors” in this program. We changed the name because there were too many ‘s’ sounds in the program title (SLPA Student Supervision Stipend, yikes!). 

I already completed the SLPA Supervision Moodle Course but I cannot find my certificate, do you have a copy?

Unfortunately CDE does not keep an archive of certificates past one year of completion. You will need to find the certificate or re-enroll in the supervision course in order to meet mentorship program requirements. 

How long do I have to complete the SLPA Supervision Moodle Course?

You have six months to complete the Moodle course from the start of the semester in which you are mentoring a student. It is your responsibility to send CDE a copy of your certificate in order to qualify for compensation, email certificates to Holly Jackson.

I am mentoring an SLP graduate student intern. Do I need to take the SLPA Supervision Moodle Course?

Yes. Despite the name, this course offers valuable information for all mentors. 

Am I a state employee?

Upon registration for the Mentorship program, you will receive a variety of forms to complete. One of these forms is an HR form, which asks if you are a current or previous state employee. If you have never worked for the Colorado Department of Education or any CO state department, you are NOT a current or previous state employee. Employees of a public school or university are NOT state employees. Please mark “no” on this question.

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For more information about services for students who have speech or language impairments in Colorado, please contact:

Shani O'Brien, Speech-Language Specialist
Email Shani O'Brien
303-868-8351