First Things First: What Is an RSA?
If your child has an IEP that includes speech therapy, the NYC Department of Education is responsible for providing those services. Usually, a DOE therapist or an agency therapist works with your child at school.
But sometimes the DOE can't find a therapist to fill that spot. When that happens, they issue a Related Services Authorization -- an RSA. In plain language, it's a voucher. The DOE is saying: "We couldn't find someone, so you can find an independent provider yourself, and we'll pay for it."
That's the good news -- your child's speech therapy is still funded. The tricky part is that now you have to find the therapist.
You Got an RSA. Now What?
Take a breath. We know this can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling everything else. But the process is more straightforward than it looks. Here's what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Check the Municipality List. The DOE publishes a list of approved independent speech therapy providers, organized by borough. Your school should give you a copy along with the RSA, or you can find it on the NYC Public Schools website. You can also search for providers using the DOE's online InPro search tool.
Step 2: Start calling providers. This is usually the hardest part. Many providers on the list are full, and you may need to make several calls before finding someone with availability. Ask about openings right away so you don't waste time.
Step 3: Complete the RSA-2 form. Once you've chosen a provider, you and the provider both sign the RSA-2 form and submit it along with the provider's license and certification. After the DOE reviews and approves the form, your provider receives a PIN number and sessions can begin.
Step 4: Sessions start. Your child's independent therapist will work on the speech and language goals outlined in their IEP. Sessions can happen at school, at the provider's office, at your home, or via telehealth -- depending on what the provider offers.
What to Look for in an RSA Speech Therapist
Not every provider on the list is the right fit. When you're calling around, here are the questions worth asking:
- Are you DOE-cleared? Your provider must have security clearance from the DOE and hold the appropriate New York State licensure and certification. Without this, sessions can't be approved.
- Do you have openings right now? Your child's IEP services are already behind schedule. A provider with no waitlist means your child can start getting help sooner.
- Will my child see the same therapist every session? Consistency matters. Children often do better when they build a relationship with one clinician who knows their strengths, their challenges, and their personality.
- Are you familiar with SESIS? SESIS is the DOE's online system for tracking special education services. Your provider needs to log sessions there. If they already know the system, it means less hassle for everyone.
- Can you work on my child's IEP goals? The whole point is to address the goals in your child's IEP. Ask whether the therapist is comfortable coordinating with your child's school team to stay aligned on those goals.
How Telehealth Works for RSA Speech Therapy
If you haven't considered telehealth for speech therapy before, it's worth a look -- especially with an RSA.
Telehealth sessions happen over secure video, right from home. Your child sits at a computer or tablet, and the therapist works with them in real time using interactive activities, games, and conversation. It looks a lot like a regular session, just on a screen.
Here's why many families with RSAs find telehealth helpful:
- No travel. You don't have to drive across the borough or figure out who's picking up from school early. Sessions happen at your kitchen table.
- No missed school. After-school and evening sessions mean your child stays in class where they belong.
- You can be there. Parents can sit nearby and see exactly what's happening in the session. Many families tell us they learn strategies they can practice together during the week.
- Research supports it. Studies show that telehealth speech therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions for many children. It's not a compromise -- it's a legitimate, evidence-based way to deliver therapy.
A lot of parents are surprised by how well it works. Once kids get comfortable with the format, most take to it quickly.
We're Here to Help
Strategic Speech Solutions is on the NYC DOE Municipality List and we are currently accepting new RSA students. We provide all speech therapy sessions via telehealth -- no waitlist, flexible scheduling including evenings, and your child works with the same therapist every time.
If you just received an RSA and aren't sure where to start, we're happy to walk you through it. Call (917) 426-7007 for a free consultation. No pressure, no commitment -- just a conversation about your child's needs and how we can help.