The University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic
634 Eddy Avenue, Missoula, MT 59812
PHONE: (406) 243-2405 FAX: (406) 243-6678 EMAIL: ritecareclinic@umontana.edu
Location of Curry Health Center Map
| Name of Program | Dates of Program | Schedule | Supervisor |
| Intensive Aphasia Program | June 4 - June 27 | Tues, Wed, Thurs 10:00 am - 3:00 pm |
Catherine Off Annie Kennedy |
| Language for Little Ones | June 10 - June 20 | Mondays - Thursdays 9:00 am - 11:00 am | Jennifer Closson |
| School Age Articulation | June 10 - June 20 | Mondays - Thursdays 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Jennifer Closson |
| Social Skills Camp | June 24 - June 28 | Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Jennifer Closson |
MISSION
The UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic is integral to the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD). We provide speech, language, and hearing screenings, consultations, evaluations and therapy to individuals across the lifespan. We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients and the priorties of families in the Missoula area and across Montana. We are developing a reputation as a leading facility for clinical service and a model for instruction and evidence-based practice. The RiteCare clinic also serves to provide education for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students, professionals, and families and training for graduate student clinicians. All services are provided by graduate student clinicians under the supervision of CSD faculty who are licensed in the state of Montana, certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and members of the Montana Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
We serve families in Missoula and across the state of Montana. Anyone can make a referral to The UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic at any time.
OUR SERVICES
The UM RiteCare Clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of speech, voice, swallowing, language, literacy, and cognitive-communication impairments and difficulties. The UM RiteCare Clinic is open to the public and offers services to children and adults across the lifespan. Clinic services are provided based upon need and without regard to ethnicity, gender, culture, or religious beliefs. Masonic afflilation is not required. Families and/or caregivers must provide transportation to and from the UM RiteCare Clinic.
The UM RiteCare Clinic serves as a training facility for university students who are studying speech-langauge pathology in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Services are provided by graduate student clinicians who are supervised by nationally ASHA-certified, Montana-state licensed speech-language pathologists. Students engage with clinicians, clients, and families which creates a learning opportunity for all involved. You may download The UM RiteCare Clinic Brochure.
Diagnostic Evaluations
The UM RiteCare Clinic offers comprehensive evaluations to assess speech, voice, swallowing, language, and cognitive skills. Prior to treatment, clients are evaluated and observed to determine communication skills, abilties, and difficulties. After the assessment process has been completed, a conference is scheduled to discuss the results and recomendations with the client and/or the client's family/caregivers.
Therapeutic Intervention
Following diagnostic evaluation(s), the client may be enrolled for therapy. The therapy sessions are designed to meet the needs of each client's individual needs. Therapy includes trianing and support for families and/or caregivers to continue to work with the client at home.
Communication Areas We Assess and Treat
- Speech (e.g., articulation and accent modification, fluency/stuttering, speech planning and programming)
- Language (e.g., speaking, listening/comprehension, reading, writing, gesturing, sign language)
- Hearing
- Voice
- Swallowing
- Augmentative & Alternative Communication
- Cognition (e.g., memory, attention, executive function)
- Social Aspects of Communication
Specialty Programs/Services
- UM Big Sky Aphasia Program (UM-BSAP)
- Accent Reduction and Modification Program
- Adjusting to the Social Campus (ASC)
- Lee Silverman Voice Treatment
- Transgender Voice Treatment
- FEES (Fiber Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
- Acoustic Voice and Resonance Analysis with VisiPitch IV and Nasometer
- Telepractice
Training and Support Groups
- Traumatic Brain Injury Group for College Students
- Aphasia Community Group
MEET OUR CLINICAL PROVIDERS
Jennifer Closson, M.S., CCC-SLP Director of Pediatric Services
Jennifer Closson is the Director of Pediatric Services for the UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic and Adjunt Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She has over 10 year of experience as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in the public school setting and over 5 years in private practice. Jennifer specializes in autism spectrum disorders, cleft palate, the Montana Behavior Initiative, secondary transition, and special education law.
Catherine Off, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Director of Adult Services
Dr. Catherine Off is the Director of Adult Services for the UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic and Director of the UM BIg Sky Aphasia Program. She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Director of the Neurogenic Communication Disorders Lab. Her areas of expertise and research include the assessment and treatment of adults with acquired disorders including aphasia, apraxia of speech, and cognitive-communication disorders. She treats individuals who have suffered stroke, traumatic brain injury, or who have degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. She teaches aphasia and related neurocognitive disorders, research methods, and neuroanatomy and physiology.
Ginger Collins, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Ginger Collins is a clinical supervisor in the UM RiteCare Clinic and an Assitant Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings including: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, Head Start centers, early intervention programs, and private clinics. Dr. Collins' specializes in language/literacy deficits in adolescents, teends, and young adults. She also works with clients who experience difficulty with speech fluency (stuttering).
Amy Glaspey, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Amy Glaspey is Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Director of the Child Phonology Lab. Her research interests include dynamic assessment and treatment efficacy of speech sound disorders in preschool age children. She teaches articulation and phonological disorders; research methods; the clinical process; multicultural issues in speech, language, and hearing; and treatment of child speech, language, and literacy development.
Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson is a clinical supervisor in the UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic and Associate Professor and Chair of the Deparment of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Her areas of expertise include the assessment and treatment of child speech, language, and literacy development.
Annie Kennedy, M.A., CCC-SLP
Annie Kennedy is a clinical supervisor in the UM RiteCare Clinic and Assitant Professor in the Deparment of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of adult clients with speech, language, and cognitive disorders related to stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Christine Merriman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Chris Merriman is a clinical supervisor in the UM RiteCare Clinic and Assistant Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Her areas of specialy include supervisions, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), communicative modalities, and assistive technology.
Laurie Slovarp, M.S., CCC-SLP
Laurie Slovarp is a clinical supervisor in the UM RiteCare Clinic and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She is a board-recognized specialist in swallowing (BRS-S). Her areas of expertise include voice and swallowing disorders with a secondary interest in cognitive disorders resulting from mild brain injury and motor speech disorders.
Al Yonovitz, Ph.D., CCC-A, MAudSA (CCP)
Dr. Al Yonovitz is a clinical audiologist for the UM RiteCare Clinic and a Full Professor in the Deparment of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. He is also Director of the Clinical and Research Hearing and Speech Lab. He provides services to US veterans through a contract with the Veteran's Administration and supervises graduate student clinicians during audiological evaluations. Dr. Yonovitz teaches acoustics and speech science.
HOW TO START SERVICES
To begin the enrollment process with us, please request or download and fill out intake paperwork OR call us at (406) 243-2405. We will gladly mail all paperwork to you.
PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
We offer a variety of payment options for our low-cost, high-quality speech-language assessment and treatment
- Out of Pocket
- Insurance/3rd Party Billing
- Partial scholarships generously provided by Western Montana Scottish Rite Foundation. Please request a scholarship form.
BILLING INSURANCE
- A prescription for speech/language therapy MUST be obtained from your doctor. The prescription must be current and dated before initial contact. Please have this prescription faxed to the UM RiteCare Clinic prior to your first visit - (406) 243-6678
- You will be required to complete forms for billing prior to starting therapy; this will include information about your co-pay or co-insurance
- Your insurance card will be scanned, copied, and kept on file
- You will recieve billing statements that reflect the cost of each session, the reimbursement from your insurance company, and your co-pay totals that are due to the UM RiteCare Clinic
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are provided by the Western Montana Scottish Rite Foundation. These scholarships are supported by donations and fundraising activities. Financial support is designed for those who cannot afford speech/language therapy in the absense of adequate health insurance or significant co-pay options. Please request a scholarship application.
SUPPORT THE UM RITECARE CLINIC
The University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, originally established in 1998, is housed in the Curry Health Center on The University of Montana campus. The UM RiteCare Clinic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by the Western Montana Scottish Rite Foundation in partnership with The University of Montana. Funding comes from donations, contributions, grants, and bequests. When you elect to contribute to the UM RiteCare Clinic you help to provide services to those in need and to train future speech-language pathologists. You are invited to assist in this worthy foundation. All donations are tax deductible. You may fill out our Donation Form.