Population: 3-5 years old Open to CF at lower BR We have a gorgeous small-town area to live with a house on the river, and other great rentals. Our team is close-knit, and we have a cohort of 4 clinical fellows who are social and getting to know the area together. Rivers run through town, snow is 90 minutes East, the coast is 90 minutes West, and big concerts or sports are 60 minutes North at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
Our department is SLP managed and we have a great AAC mentorship/consultation team. Douglas ESD Overview: -Supports 13 school districts across Southern Oregon. -Strong infrastructure developed to meet the needs of these districts. Leadership: -Melissa Taylor Bowen, a seasoned SLP with 26 years of experience, oversees speech-language staffing. -Known for prioritizing confidentiality, protection, and support. -Aims to ensure staff are happy 80% of the time, with 100% support during all situations.
Work Culture & Philosophy: Emphasizes collaboration, growth, and embracing imperfection. Believes it takes three years to fully establish in a district: Year 1: Learn paperwork and logistics. Year 2: Build connections with students and families.
Year 3: Reach a flow state in service delivery. Caseload Management: No official caseload cap in Oregon. Melissa strives to limit caseloads to ~50 students for manageability.
Speech Team Composition: Team of 32 speech staff: Includes SLPs, SLPAs, and Speech IAs. Some specialize in teletherapy. Douglas ESD offers a robust mentorship program for Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) candidates.
They also have a hands-on AAC program, providing training in key skills that staff can carry into future roles. The ESD has developed a strong infrastructure to support the needs of 13 school districts. Positions are full-time at 40 hours per week.
Melissa actively assists with housing options, including rentals through Furnished Finder ranging from $700 to $1,000. There is also a potential two-bedroom house on the river available for $2,000 per month with all utilities included. Douglas ESD works with agencies such as AMN, Comp Health, and Amergis (currently limited to one teletherapy position).