effective 1/2019 – Albright College

effective 1/2019

Personal Care Attendant Agreement

Albright College is committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities are provided impairment-related accommodations enabling them to have access to College programs and services. Albright College understands that PCAs may be necessary to address the personal needs of a student with a disability in order for that student to fully participate at the College. Students who provide documentation that meets the College’s requirements may request permission for a personal care attendant (PCA) to be granted the same access to campus facilities as the student. The PCA will be provided access to campus facilities for the sole purpose of assisting the student. The PCA should be an impartial individual, qualified to assist the student. Albright College recommends that PCAs are not family members or close friends of the student.

An otherwise qualified student who requires personal attendance services is responsible for identifying/selecting, hiring, training, supervising and paying any PCAs. Albright College will not provide personal aids or services, “including help in bathing, dressing, or other personal care,” per Section 504 and Title II of the ADA nor does the College assume financial responsibilities for personal attendant services.

Student Responsibilities

Students requesting a PCA will be responsible for the following:

  • Providing documentation that meets Albright College’s requirements to the Student Accessibility and Advocacy (SAA) office
  • Ensuring that the PCA is qualified to perform the services that the student requires, such as ensuring the medical safety of the student
  • Providing Albright College with a copy of the following background checks conducted by the PCA’s employing agency at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester or school year or a mutually agreed upon time:
  • Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check (Act 34)
  • Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
  • Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) in a manner prescribed by the Department of Education.
  • Please note that individuals should have an infraction free history, with the exception of minor traffic offences, on their background check.
  • This background check should be provided to Student Accessibility and Advocacy, this will be forwarded to Human Resources.
  • Providing Albright College with the name, email address, and cell phone number of the PCAs and their schedules of attendance. (This information might be provided by an outside agency such as Bayada Nursing)
  • Having a backup attendant in case a PCA becomes sick or is otherwise unavailable to work (this is especially important for students with one PCA)
  • Ensuring that the student and their PCAs will follow all College policies stated in the Compass: Student Handbook. PCAs who do not comply with Albright College policies and rules will be asked to leave campus immediately, regardless of a work agreement with the student

Personal Care Attendant Responsibilities

Personal Care Attendants will be responsible for the following:

  • Conducting themselves in a manner consistent with the community standards of the college, which includes abiding by all College policies, regulations, and procedures.
  • The PCA should review the statement regarding “Dangerous and Prohibited Items,” under the General Offences section of The Compass: Student Handbook, which provides a list of items prohibited from the campus.
  • Maintaining the independence and confidentiality of the student. PCAs are not permitted to contact faculty, staff, or others on behalf of the student. PCAs should not intervene in conversations between the student, faculty, staff, or other students, except in emergencies or life safety issues.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of College emergency resources, such as residence hall evacuations
  • Fostering the independence of students by allowing them to be the primary agent in all their College activities

PCAs further understand and acknowledge that:

  • They are being issued an Albright College Identification Card for the sole purpose of their role as a PCA and that in the event they are no longer employed by the student, they will surrender their ID card they have been issued to Public Safety immediately upon termination of their employment.
  • Their employment and services contract is between the PCA and the student/family and/or the agency for whom they work, and that they have no employment relationship or contract with Albright College of any kind. In addition, by signing below, the PCA hereby releases Albright College from any and all claims or causes of action that could arise in connection with their work for the student/family and/or the agency for whom they work.

PCAs who do not comply with the responsibilities and acknowledgements stated above will not be allowed to continue as the student’s PCA on campus and will no longer be allowed to access campus buildings, classrooms, and programs.

The signatures below indicate that the student and PCA agree to the policy above.

 

_________________________________________

Student’s Printed Name

 

_________________________________________                                    ____________________

Student’s Signature                                                                                       Date

 

_________________________________________

Personal Care Attendant’s Printed Name

 

_________________________________________                                    ____________________

Personal Care Attendant’s Signature                                                            Date

 

Questions regarding the PCA Agreement can be directed to:

Yuriko Beaman, M.S.
Director of Student Accessibility and Advocacy
ybeaman@albright.edu
610-929-6639