Choosing the right contract company
By: Mags Frazier (they/them), CCC-SLP
Why Ampersand over other contracting companies? For me, it all comes down to the people, the connection, and the communication. That’s the core reason I became a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the first place. My vision as a therapist is to support people through multimodal communication, and while that’s a key focus in our field, it’s often overlooked by many organizations and institutions. When I started looking for contract work, I felt lost in a sea of numbers, and I wanted more than just a paycheck. As a Capricorn, I value organization and making smart financial decisions, and I quickly realized that working for a district wasn’t a smart financial move for me as a newer SLP. That’s when I decided contract work was the right path—but I knew I had to be selective about which company I worked with.
Unfortunately, I’d had a bad experience with another contracting company, where I felt completely undervalued and unsupported. But when I found Ampersand, everything changed. The owner, Sabrina, personally reached out to me. She listened to my concerns and walked me through my options. Sabrina’s lived experience as an OT in the LA public school system made all the difference—she understood exactly what I was going through. She’d been there, sitting in hallways writing reports, facing the stress of multiple IEPs and evaluations. That was the connection I had been searching for—a leader who truly gets it. Trusting my intuition to join Ampersand was the best decision I’ve made for my career.
Three years later, I can honestly say joining Ampersand was the best move I’ve made. When I say “family,” I mean it. I feel genuinely supported and valued here. The demands of our job are already tough enough, so to do it for low pay and with minimal support just didn’t make sense to me. Ampersand not only offers higher pay than other contracting companies I looked into, but they also handle the rate negotiations with districts for me, so I never have to stress about it.
What sets Ampersand apart is their commitment to sustainability, diversity, and community service. I’m able to take paid days for community service, like volunteering with neurodiverse kids and adults, and they even match my donations to causes I care about. I also love that I get to work closely with people like Mackenzie, another SLP, who truly understands how important it is to find the right placement—one that aligns with my interests and the population I’m passionate about.
In addition to that, as a non-binary SLP in a field that’s predominantly cis-heterosexual women, Ampersand has been a solid advocate and ally for me. I feel seen and supported by a company that values and empowers me for who I am. The leadership team has been nothing short of amazing. They’ve created a supportive foundation where I can thrive in my career.
I recently had the chance to connect with Ampersand in person at the ASHA conference in Seattle, and it was such a joy to approach our table and feel proud to be part of a company that truly empowers SLPs to find placements that match their needs and interests. Ampersand has been a breath of fresh air in a field too often plagued by burnout due to broken systems. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing company.
