Teletherapy solutions have made headway in addressing persistent special education staffing shortages--states should consider what might be possible with permanent legislation

COVID-era teletherapy authorizations are expiring, but the problem persists


Teletherapy solutions have made headway in addressing persistent special education staffing shortages--states should consider what might be possible with permanent legislation

COVID-19 safety guidance has been relaxed and schools have returned to in-person learning, but it’s not yet time to breathe a sigh of relief. Many schools continue to encounter challenges in effectively serving their students, faced with special education staff shortages, backlogs of evaluations, and a youth mental health crisis.

Before the pandemic, a complex web of restrictions limited the ability of schools to leverage online services. From professional associations to state licensure boards, virtual therapy and evaluation services were discouraged or prohibited. In some cases, new graduates were prevented from obtaining their necessary practice hours through remote work. Many states imposed extensive barriers to allowing a licensed therapist to serve students across a state border, slowing down the ability to serve students through teletherapy.

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