Personal Care Attendants

• Personal Care Attendant (PCA): A person over 18 years old who provides personal care/assistance (chronic or temporary) to Student with a disability or other health care needs with activities of daily living including nursing services or assistance with acts of daily living. A PCA works directly for and is employed by Student.
• On-Call Attendant: PCA that provides care a few hours a day or less. This is sometimes referred to as a visiting attendant. 
• Live-in Attendant: PCA that provides care day and night where the attendant lives in the same assigned space as Student. A live-in attendant can be a TWU student or nonstudent, and the attendant can be any sex. A Live-in Attendant could be full-time or part-time.
• Full-time Agency Attendant: PCA that provides care day and night where the attendant visits but does not live or sleep in the unit.
• Student: The person with a disability who is registered with Disability Services for Students, and who hired the attendant.

Note: Student cannot bring a PCA onto campus for classroom and/or housing access until this process is complete. TWU will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis.

1. Student must register with Disability Services for Students (DSS) for consideration of the PCA accommodation. Student must provide documentation of disability demonstrating the need for a PCA while enrolled at TWU. 
2. Background Check for PCA per URP 04.440: University Affiliate Criminal Background Checks:
1. Student will provide PCA’s name, phone number, email address, date of birth, and PCA Agreement to their DSS Coordinator.
2. DSS will request a background check of the PCA through TWU Human Resources, at DSS’s expense. This may take up to two weeks. 
3. DSS will notify Student with the results of the background check. If the background check is passed, accommodation notices will be sent out to the appropriate University officials.
3. DSS Coordinator will notify ID Services of the PCA’s need for an ID card. The PCA will go to ID Services to secure an ID card. 
4. Accommodation notifications:
1. Classroom Access: Student must request their accommodation letter(s) that includes the PCA notice accommodation for faculty notification. This step must occur each term. 
2. Housing Access: DSS will notify Housing staff of the PCA accommodation.  
5. PCA Access in Housing
1. Student will share PCA’s ID number with Housing for card activation. 
2. Housing will issue the PCA a key for Student’s room, unless student does not approve in writing.

• Follow all applicable TWU policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Register with DSS and provide appropriate verification that supports the need for a PCA. 
• Student is responsible for employing, training, managing, and terminating (if necessary) the PCA. Student should develop an alternative plan of action in case the regularly assigned PCA will not be available for work.
• Student must provide a copy of their PCA contract that details the role and duties of their PCA to their DSS Coordinator. 
• Secure an agency-affiliated or private PCA prior to attending any university-related activity (i.e. placement testing, enrollment, class attendance). TWU will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis.
• Student must immediately notify DSS and Housing (if applicable) if there is a change or termination in attendant care. 
• Direct the activities of the PCA while at TWU. The student is solely responsible for ensuring that the PCA is fulfilling his/her responsibilities for the student's care.
• Develop an alternative plan of action should the regularly assigned PCA not be available to work.
• If Student is in Housing:
• The PCA will only be allowed to access Student's residence hall or apartment while Student is in residence.
• Student with a live-in PCA will be charged for a private room instead of a shared double room. When Student is assigned to an apartment, they will be assigned a 2bed/2bath apartment with no TWU roommate and charged the current family housing rate for a 2bed/2bath apartment.
• Student will follow the Visitation and Guest Policies per the Residence Life Handbook. This includes registering the PCA at the front desk if the PCA is an On-Call Attendant.

• Complete the PCA Agreement and submit to DSS.
• Follow and complete the steps in the Access section of this policy.
• PCA is bound by the same rules of conduct and behavior as TWU students. Failure to adhere to these standards of conduct may result in the removal of their access to campus facilities and/or be referred to the conduct process.
• PCA is only permitted in the classroom or housing when Student is present.
• Carry an official government-issued ID and provided TWU ID at all times. TWU ID must be worn at all times while providing assistance to the student. 
• Follow all applicable TWU policies, rules, regulations, and procedures. This includes the Student Handbook and the Residence Life Handbook. 
• If student is in need of emergency services, the PCA must contact TWU Police by calling 911 or (940) 898-2911.
• Conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner while on campus.
• Not discuss any confidential information about Student with faculty, staff, or students.
• Allow Student to take responsibility for their own progress and/or behavior.
• Follow all instructions related to classroom management outlined by the instructor.  
• PCAs working in the classroom may not exceed the scope of their caretaking role. Prohibited conduct includes: providing academic support (note taking, scribing, proctoring exams, assisting student with their coursework, etc.); communication on behalf of or intervening in conversation between the student to faculty, staff, or other students.  The PCA will not participate in the learning process or provide verbal or non-verbal feedback on learning material to the student, other classmates or instructor (i.e. raising hand to answer questions, speaking out, commenting to other students, approving or disapproving gestures). The PCA will not act as an assistant to the instructor or other students (i.e. sharing texts with other students, proctoring for exams, running errands).
• Develop an alternative plan of action should the regularly assigned PCA not be available to work.
• When an educational or living environment requires its students, for safety or health-related reasons, to meet certain criteria, such as a background check, inoculations, wearing personal protective equipment, etc., the PCA must meet the same requirement(s). https://twu.edu/student-health-services/immunization-compliance/ 
• Register with Campus Parking for a parking pass and obtain an ID card after passing the background check.
• Depart campus when Student is away from campus.
• If the PCA is needed in Housing: 

• PCA will only have access to the student’s residence hall or apartment while the student is in residence. 
• PCAs are not to enter or access other residential rooms or to engage with housing staff on behalf of Student.
• At all times, PCAs are to respect the privacy and safety of other students and staff.
• The PCA will only be allowed to access Student's residence hall or apartment while Student is in residence.
• When the PCA is no longer providing care to Student, the PCA must return the key and ID card to the Housing & Dining Office in Mary’s Hall at Parliament Village within 48 hours. Otherwise, Student will be charged for a missing card and key. 
• If the PCA violates TWU policies, rules, regulations or procedures, DSS may determine, in conjunction with the Dean of Students, that the PCA may no longer assist the student on TWU’s campus. If this occurs, it is the student's responsibility to secure the services of another PCA.

• Request appropriate documentation from Student that supports the need for a PCA in order for DSS to determine eligibility for an academic accommodation allowing the PCA access to the educational environment and for a housing accommodation allowing the PCA access to the living environment.
• Facilitate and pay for the cost of the background check process of the intended PCA.
• Notification to applicable University officials including instructors of record.
• Address faculty and Student concerns regarding a PCA in the learning environment. 
• Clarify the role of the PCA in the learning environment compared to other accommodations DSS may provide Student in the learning environment.
• Facilitate discussion(s) between the faculty and Student regarding PCA related questions and/or concerns, upon request.
• Provide a copy of the PCA Policy and Procedures to Student and to the PCA prior to services beginning.