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Jill Hawks, MS, CCC-SLP is the owner of Alpine Speech Therapy, a pediatric private practice based out of Denver, Colorado. Born and raised in rural Colorado, she pursued higher education across the border at the University of Wyoming. Jill earned both her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at UW and started her career in a developmental preschool and early intervention program based in Cheyenne, WY. Jill made her way back to Colorado, continuing to gain experience in different settings including private practice, public schools and intensive therapy mountain and day camps. Jill brings her experiences from multiple settings, communities, and transdisciplinary teams to her own private practice now providing in-home, community-based and teletherapy services to families in the Denver metro area. Jill also has experience contracting with a rural Colorado school district that included providing teletherapy services and supervision of a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). Jill was appointed as the CSHA State Advocate for Reimbursement (STAR) in 2024 and has accepted the nomination as the CSHA President-Elect for 2025. She is excited and passionate about representing the diverse makeup of the state from rural mountain towns to the metro Front Range and on to the eastern plains. Jill’s experience and understanding that each region of Colorado has its own unique needs will help her continue to advocate for high quality services and support for the residents of Colorado.
Jacqueline “Lacy” Hoyer-Helms, MA CCC-SLP is the president and co-owner of OASIS Pediatric Therapy. OASIS Pediatric Therapy provides skilled physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and family CNA services to children in 10 Colorado counties. Lacy is also the co-founder and president of the non-profit We Help and Love Everyone (WHALE) that opened in 2024. WHALE will provide center-based respite services to children of all abilities.
Lacy began her career as a speech-language pathologist, she received a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2004 from the University of Northern Colorado and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She was appointed by the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as a member to the Home Care Advisory Committee in 2019. This committee represents providers and consumers of home care and hospice services in Colorado. Lacy was appointed to the State-Based Reimbursement Network (STAR) by the Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA) in 2022 and served in this position for 2 years. STARs are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved health care coverage and reasonable reimbursement. Their targets are key decision-makers in private corporations, public agencies, and the local legislature. Lacy was the President of CSHA for 2024 and has testified for SB21-21 (Audiology and Speech-language Interstate Compact), and HB 22-1213 (Sunset Continue Regulation Speech-language Pathologists). Lacy regularly attends leadership conferences and participates in initiatives to advance, advocate and educate providers, legislators, and the community to improve access to quality services for all. She is driven to advance her knowledge to assist with providing access to services for the underserved community in Colorado.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, his areas of special interest include Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Fluency, Augmentative Alternative Communication, Social Language Disorders, and Speech Sound Disorders. In Will’s role as a Clinical Coordinator, he has had the opportunity to support a team in the El Paso region, connect with industry leaders, establish partnerships bettering patient care and family access to information, and maintain a full pediatric caseload. He values the opportunities he has to learn from peers, patients, families, partners, and mentors throughout the state. During his time on the board as Vice President of Membership Elect, he would like to develop stronger connections with state associations, Colorado SLPs and Audiologists, and community partners who have the potential to further our fields of Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology.
In his personal life, Will also enjoys racing cars, hiking, climbing, board games, half marathons, traveling, and eating any cuisine.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, his areas of special interest include Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Fluency, Augmentative Alternative Communication, Social Language Disorders, and Speech Sound Disorders. In Will’s role as a Clinical Coordinator, he has had the opportunity to support a team in the El Paso region, connect with industry leaders, establish partnerships bettering patient care and family access to information, and maintain a full pediatric caseload. He values the opportunities he has to learn from peers, patients, families, partners, and mentors throughout the state. During his time on the board as Vice President of Membership Elect, he would like to develop stronger connections with state associations, Colorado SLPs and Audiologists, and community partners who have the potential to further our fields of Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology.
In his personal life, Will also enjoys racing cars, hiking, climbing, board games, half marathons, traveling, and eating any cuisine.
Bonnie is the owner of Mountain Iris Therapy, a Northern Colorado-based practice specializing in early intervention services and parent coaching. She also serves as a clinical supervisor for graduate students in speech-language pathology at the University of Northern Colorado.
As the Vice President of Public Policy for the CSHA, Bonnie is committed to advocating for legislative changes that improve public policies for clients and clinicians alike, with a particular focus on regulations for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs).
Alissa Damschroder, MA, CCC/SLP, a dedicated Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at Oasis Pediatric Therapy, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field. Having pursued undergraduate studies at Boston University and further honed skills at Northwestern University for graduate school, Alissa is well-versed in the nuances of pediatric speech therapy. With an impressive track record of two decades, Alissa dedicated herself to working with preschoolers in school settings, making a positive impact on their communication and development. At Oasis Pediatric Therapy, Alissa brings a warm and relatable approach to her work in early intervention, contributing to favorable outcomes for young children and families in home health settings. Beyond her therapeutic endeavors, she finds joy in family moments, cooking and baking, and exploring Colorado during her free time. Additionally, Alissa is excited to serve as the CSHA Treasurer this year, bringing her dedication to the field into a leadership role.
She is excited to be a new member of the CSHA Board of Directors to support and give back to the profession and to continue to grow as a therapist.
Board of Director (BOD) members are elected for a two-year term with the exception of the President who serves a three-year term.
BOD membership is open to all CSHA members (SLP, AUD; can be new members); no previous Board service is required for most offices, however, a candidate for President must have served on the board for at least one year. Benefits of BOD membership/participation include:
The BOD meets meets through phone conferencing every month. There may be a few live meetings during the year at discretion of the president. Each term consists of the first year in the Elect position where the primary duties involve assisting the current office holder and the second year as the primary office holder. The President also remains on the Board as Past President for an additional year.
*Note: This position works closely with the CSHA Office
The student liaisons are graduate students from each of the three universities in Colorado with programs in speech, language and hearing sciences.
State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEAL)
State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language hearing associations to advocate on education issues. These issues may include caseload/workload, salary supplements, and maintenance of personnel standards in school settings. SEALs can be speech-language pathologists or audiologists. The State Education Advocacy Leaders were established in 1999 under ASHA’s Priorities. The mission of the SEALs network is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings.
State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMP)
StAMP participants are appointed by ASHA recognized state speech-language-hearing associations. They advocate for Medicare coverage and reimbursement of audiology and speech-language pathology services in the states.
The StAMP representative is responsible for establishing or enhancing effective links to medical directors, consultants, and key personnel with
State-Based Reimbursement Network (STARS)
The State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) are ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved health care coverage and reasonable reimbursement. Their targets are key decision-makers in private corporations, public agencies, and the local legislature. Examples are health care insurance executives, benefits administrators, state insurance department officials, and state congress members. STARs create advocacy strategies and share skills with the state speech-language-hearing associations that appoint them.
STARs form a true network. They link states together and to ASHA through monthly conference calls, a STARs-only e-mail discussion group, and periodic meetings. STARs are individuals who: