Unlocking Opportunities: A Beginner's Guide to School Contracting

Join us for this informative presentation tailored for Speech-Language Pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists ready to explore the world of school contracting! In this session, you'll learn exactly what school contracting is, pros and cons to serving schools, and learn how to find and secure school contracts. Whether you're new to the field or looking to expand your career, this course will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to thrive as a school contractor.

Explore Course

Are you a SLP, OT, or PT looking to expand your career into the world of school contracting? This presentation is designed specifically for you! Join us for an engaging and informative session where you'll discover the essential steps to successfully starting and navigating the contracting process with school districts. Whether you're just starting out or considering expanding an existing business, this presentation will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to determine if you'd like to pursue school contracting.

Presenters

Elise Mitchell
M.S. CCC-SLP
Elise Mitchell, M.S. CCC-SLP graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 and quickly entered the world of schools by working for virtual staffing companies for six years an SLP, school sales person, and as a manager. After years of working with virtual services and provider management, Elise stepped away from the school staffing industry as she found herself suffering from burnout and low job satisfaction. However, shortly after stepping away, an opportunity to directly contract with a school fell into her lap, and Elise discovered that she loved working WITH schools but not FOR them (or anyone else). In 2019, Elise founded The Therapist Support Network with the goal of providing school SLP, OT, and PT contractors with materials, community, and support. She’s the creator of “The School Contractor Packet”, “School Contractor Training”, and "The School Staffing Training and Packet", resources created to simplify the process of contracting for individual contractors and new staffing businesses.When she's not contracting or coaching, Elise is spending time with her family on their little farm in Missouri!

Learning Objectives

Define School Contracting: Clearly explain what school contracting is and how it differs from traditional therapy settings.
Evaluate the Pros and Cons: Assess the advantages and disadvantages of using the school contracting model to deliver speech-language services.
Identify Contract Opportunities: Demonstrate strategies for finding and securing school contracts within their local area.
Plan for Career Growth: Create an action plan for next steps as a school contractor hopeful!

Agenda

5 minutes	Welcome and Introduction
15 minutes	Defining School Contracting
10 minutes	Evaluating the Pros and Cons
15 minutes	The School Life Cycle
15 minutes	Identifying Contract Opportunities

Disclosures

Financial Disclosures:	Elise Mitchell is the owner of The Therapist Support Network. Elise is receiving compensation for this course.
Non-Financial Disclosures:	Elise Mitchell has no non-financial relationships to disclose.
Content Disclosures:	Elise Mitchell has no additional content information to disclose.

ASHA

This course is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area

To earn ASHA CEUs you must complete the courses by viewing them, provide course feedback, pass the exams with a score of 80 or more, provide your ASHA credentials, and confirm submission.

Unlocking Opportunities: A Beginner's Guide to School Contracting: $30.00
This course is designed for SLPs, OTs, and PTs interested in serving schools through independent contracts. Learn what school contracting involves, its pros and cons, and how to find and secure opportunities. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your career, you’ll gain the tools and insights to thrive. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Add-ons

Business Essentials for the Beginning Entrepreneur

$30.00

Starting a business is exciting—but long-term success requires careful planning. This course walks aspiring entrepreneurs through the essential steps for setting up a strong foundation, including which professionals to consult, common pitfalls to avoid, and real-world case scenarios. Gain the insights you need to launch your business with confidence. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Filling the Void: Realizing Your Worth to Open the Practice of Your Dreams

$30.00

Have you dreamed of opening a private practice to serve underserved communities? This course follows Dr. Jaramillo’s inspiring journey from clinician to founder of Voz Speech Therapy—a practice built to support culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Learn how she identified her niche, marketed her services, built a strong team, and overcame challenges to create a thriving business. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Free School Lunch to $50k Months: A Story of Grit and Glow-Up

$30.00

From first-generation college graduate to CEO, Sarah shares her powerful journey from poverty to prosperity. Learn how she built Social Moguls, a successful social media agency for healthcare brands, and how resilience, authenticity, and bold storytelling helped her create meaningful impact. This course will inspire entrepreneurs to own their story and build a brand that truly resonates. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

The Unlikely Entrepreneur: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit

$30.00

This course is designed for professionals ready to blend entrepreneurship with their clinical practice. Learn how to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, assess community needs, and develop services that fill critical gaps in speech-language pathology. You'll also explore the unique challenges faced by minority clinicians and gain strategies for building strong partnerships that drive impact. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.