It's Not Just the Number: Caseload, Workload, and What You Can Do About It

A webinar for school-based speech-language pathologists seeking a clearer, more practical understanding of caseload and workload reform.

Session Overview

This session is designed for school-based speech-language pathologists seeking a clearer, more practical understanding of caseload and workload reform. Participants will explore the differences between caseload caps, weighted caseload models, and comprehensive workload approaches, with an emphasis on how these frameworks affect day-to-day practice, service delivery, and sustainability.

Drawing on research, field experience, and current advocacy efforts, the session will explain why caseload caps alone are an insufficient measure of SLP workload and why a workload analysis approach may be recommended instead. The discussion will focus on realistic strategies that have shown impact in schools, including contract language, staffing structures, and collective advocacy, to help SLPs better navigate and influence the systems that shape their work.

Learner Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Explain key differences between caseload caps, weighted caseload models, and workload approaches, and describe how each impacts service delivery and clinician workload.
• Identify common challenges and unintended consequences of caseload caps when implemented without corresponding staffing, funding, or policy supports.
• Describe at least two advocacy strategies relevant to their work setting and outline specific steps for implementing each, including engaging with administrators, unions, district policy processes, or professional organizations, to support sustainable workload practices.

Speaker Bio

Kyle Epps, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and education leader with more than 16 years of experience spanning clinical practice, district-level administration, and workforce systems design. He currently serves as an Administrator within Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Special Education – Related Services Department, where he directly supervises school-based SLPs and SLPAs and supports large-scale service delivery systems that strengthen compliance, staffing, and equitable access for students.

Kyle’s trajectory within LAUSD has included serving as Coordinator of Speech and Language and Director of Related Services, overseeing one of the largest related services programs in the country, with more than 1,300 providers across six disciplines.

Kyle has also been deeply engaged in national and state professional leadership throughout his career. Within ASHA, he has served on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Next Generation, the Continuing Education Board, and as the 2025 Chair of the School Issues Advisory Board (SIAB). He currently serves on ASHA’s Board of Ethics. At the state level, Kyle has contributed extensively to CSHA, serving as President-Elect on the Board of Directors, co-chairing the inaugural CSHA Leadership Academy, serving as Director of District 6, and currently serving on the CSHA Caseload/Workload Committee.

Disclosures

Financial Disclosure

I will not receive any financial compensation for this presentation and have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Non-Financial Disclosure

I am employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in an administrative leadership role. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of LAUSD. I also serve in volunteer leadership roles with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), including as a member of the ASHA Board of Ethics and as the 2025 Chair of ASHA’s School Issues Advisory Board, and have volunteer leadership experience with the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA), including service on the CSHA Caseload/Workload Committee and previous service on the CSHA Board of Directors.