California Speech Language Hearing Association

What California Speech Language Hearing Association does

California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association founded in 1965 and headquartered at 825 University Avenue, Sacramento. It represents approximately 3,000 individual members across California, drawn from speech-language pathologists (SLPs), audiologists (AuDs), speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs), and graduate students, organized through ten regional district chapters. The organization also serves a secondary corporate constituency (private practices, staffing firms, school service groups, and vendors such as SimplePractice and SPG) through a tiered Corporate Membership program (Member, Premier, Elite, Platinum) and a separate 501(c)(3) CSHA Foundation that funds scholarships and public awareness.

CSHA's core service stack is built around five pillars: (1) the annual Convergence convention, which historically draws nearly 3,000 attendees and historically generated two-thirds of CSHA's revenue through registration, exhibitor booths, and sponsorships; (2) continuing education workshops delivering state licensing hours and ASHA CEUs; (3) publications and digital engagement via the Convey quarterly magazine, CSHA Connect newsletter, CSHA Convos virtual discussions, and the CSHA Community online platform; (4) a Career Center job board; and (5) advocacy and government affairs, including direct representation in Sacramento and Washington D.C., an Advocacy Network for legislative alerts, and the 200 by Two early intervention resource kit for consumers and families. CSHA's underlying technology stack is the GrowthZone association management platform (member portal, event registration, member directory, member application), with no proprietary AI, data, or platform technology disclosed.

CSHA monetizes primarily through individual membership dues (annual subscription), Convergence conference registration/exhibitor/sponsorship fees, CE workshop seat fees, corporate membership subscriptions, and limited advertising in publications. Its growth motions are community-led (member referrals via the "Each One, Reach One" program), event-driven (Convergence as flagship acquisition and retention vehicle), and direct-to-consumer (public advocacy resources for families). The organization is governed by a volunteer board (currently chaired by Michele Linares, with Jennifer Kizner, Marcella McCollum, and Raquel Narain among past chairs) and led by CEO Brian Lewis.

Name

California Speech Language Hearing Association

Legal name

California Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Website

https://csha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA) is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association, founded in 1965, representing approximately 3,000 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, assistants, and students across California through advocacy, continuing education, and the annual Convergence convention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Speech-language pathology
• Audiology professional services
• Continuing education workshops
• Advocacy and lobbying

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CSHA generates revenue through annual membership dues from individual professionals (SLPs, audiologists, SLPAs, students) and corporate members. Individual membership provides access to conferences, workshops, publications, advocacy, networking, and other member benefits.
2. Annual Conference & Exhibition (Convergence): The annual Convergence convention generates significant revenue through registration fees, exhibitor booth sales, and sponsorships. The conference historically generated two-thirds of CSHA's annual revenue prior to COVID-19 impacts.
3. Continuing Education Workshops: CSHA provides high-quality, affordable continuing education workshops for speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants and audiologists. Registration fees (with member discounts) fulfill state licensing hours requirements and provide ASHA CEUs.
4. Corporate Memberships: CSHA launched a corporate membership program with four levels: Corporate member, Corporate Premier, Corporate Elite and Corporate Platinum. These provide companies opportunities to build collaborations with CSHA.
5. Sponsorships & Exhibitor Fees: Organizations sponsor Convergence events and receive visibility with CSHA speech and hearing professionals. Gold sponsors like SimplePractice and SPG support the annual convention and exhibition.
6. Publications & Advertising: CSHA publishes Convey magazine and CSHA Connect newsletter, which may include advertising opportunities. The organization also maintains a Career Center for job postings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

CSHA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association that provides individual and corporate memberships, continuing education (CEUs), the annual Convergence convention, advocacy and lobbying services, professional networking, and publications (Convey magazine, CSHA Convos podcast) for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, speech-language pathology assistants, and students practicing in California. Members access a portal, virtual community, career center, and 10 district chapters for local engagement.

Product overview

CSHA is a professional association offering a platform of member services rather than a unified software product. The organization provides its annual Convergence convention, Convey Magazine publication, the 200 by Two early intervention resource kit, CSHA Convos virtual discussions, the CSHA Advocacy Network, Career Center, continuing education workshops, and an online virtual community. These offerings support speech-language pathologists, audiologists, SLPAs, and students through advocacy, education, networking, and professional development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Professional Membership
• Corporate Membership Program
• Convergence Annual Convention
• Continuing Education Workshops
• Career Center Job Board
• Convey Magazine
• CSHA Legislative Advocacy and Action Alerts

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000 people able to receive SLP services remotely during COVID-19 through CSHA advocacy for tele-supervision
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Kaiser PermanentemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CSHA and ASHA held an initial meeting with Kaiser Permanente representatives in January 2025 to voice concerns regarding Episodic Care implementation for children with developmental communication disorders. The Episodic Care Committee is working to schedule follow-up meetings.
• Capitol Speech & Rehabilitation Services, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2022Corporate Premier member. Private practice in Sacramento providing speech and language therapy in clinic and in-home settings. Also provides services to local schools as a non-public agency.
• The Stepping Stones GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2022Corporate member. Staffing and services organization partnering with 13 mission-driven organizations to provide speech and language services nationwide.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational professional organization partnership. CSHA and ASHA collaborate on advocacy efforts, including holding meetings with Kaiser Permanente regarding Episodic Care concerns. ASHA provides Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) certification referenced by CSHA members.
• Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState licensing board partnership for consumer protection and professional regulation. CSHA board members serve on the board, and CSHA provides rapid information dissemination to members through QuickNotes. The board and CSHA collaborate on scope of practice questions and regulatory updates.
• California State Universities (CSU System)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSHA advocacy led to approval for CSUs to offer AuD programs and increased funding for graduate programs in communicative disorders, addressing SLP shortage in California. Four new AuD programs now available in the CSU system.
• California Early Start (DDS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for early intervention services. CSHA advocated for rate review legislation (AB2423) requiring California legislature to review and update funding rates every 2 years for Early Start providers including SLPs and SLPAs.
• Californians for Quality Early LearningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocacy partnership for early learning and intervention services.
• California Academy of AudiologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional organization partnership for advocacy on audiology issues in California.
• California Physical Therapy AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCross-profession advocacy partnership for healthcare issues.
• Communication Disabilities Access Network (CDAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with project co-led by Disability Voices United and Disability Rights California. CSHA member William DelRosario is an intern with CDAN, building and training networks for communication disability access.
• SimplePracticemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of Convergence conference. Practice management platform providing exclusive resources and visibility to CSHA members.
• SPG (School Practice Group)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of Convergence conference serving the SLP community in schools.
• Holly CohenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSHA member and executive producer of 'We Hear You' documentary on hearing loss. Also past president of Hearing Loss Association of America - NYC Chapter and board member of Theatre Development Fund.
• Shari EbertsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSHA member, executive producer of 'We Hear You' documentary, founder of 'Living With Hearing Loss' blog, and board member of Hearing Loss Association of America.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cshaorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-speech-language-hearing-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Speech Language Hearing Association