Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Policy:

CTC recognizes that certain students with documented disabilities may need the services of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA). However, neither Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 nor Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require that postsecondary institutions provide personal care services, including a PCA. Students are responsible for providing their own PCA. Personal tasks performed by PCAs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming
• Positioning or transferring to and from a wheelchair
• Navigating the campus and transporting and/or escorting students to classes and other needed locations on campus
• Turning pages, retrieving books/materials/laptops from backpacks and helping student get set up for classes
• Opening and closing doors while on campus 

1. Registration and Approval:
   • - Students needing a PCA must register with DSS by completing the DSS Student Intake eForm and providing medical documentation.
   • - Medical documentation must explain why PCA is needed because of the student's qualifying disability and must outline what tasks the PCA will need to provide for the student's disability.
   • - Medical documentation must be on official letter head and must have credentials and signature of the health care provider. 
   • - Before a PCA can be on campus, students must provide all necessary information to DSS for approval and PCA is required to obtain a background check at the expense of the student that must be submitted to DSS.
   • - Both student and PCA must sign the PCA Policy & Agreement Form before final approval - form must be signed every semester or as required by DSS.
    
2. Student Responsibilities & PCA Roles:
   1. The student is solely responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and paying the PCA directly. 
   2. PCAs are required to follow all college rules and regulations.
   3. PCAs can only provide PCA duties as outlined on the student's medical documentation and may not participate in academic or student activities.
   4. PCAs will remain outside of the classroom will not in any way be involved in the student’s academic work related to class assignments or tests except as needed for physical assistance. Exceptions to this will be made when the PCA is needed inside the classroom to assist with helping the student get set up for class, turning of books pages, and retrieving materials from backpack. 
   5. PCAs are only allowed on campus when the student is present, not during holidays or when the college is closed.
   6. PCAs is required to provide a background check to DSS and Residence Hall (if applicable) each academic year at the expense of the student. 

PCA Information for Campus Housing: If the student will be living in campus housing and will need the assistance of a PCA, the student is required to complete the housing application process with Morton Hall and submit Housing Accommodation Request eForm with medical documentation as listed above to DSS. Students cannot bring a PCA into campus housing until a housing application has been completed, a room has been assigned, and the PCA accommodation has been approved by DSS. Request for housing accommodations with DSS must be submitted at least 60 days prior to move date. Before moving in, the student will need to have a contingency plan and secondary PCA in place as the college is not responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis. If PCA is needed to live with the student, the student is expected to share a double room with the PCA. In accordance with college policy, only same-gender PCAs will be allowed to assist the student overnight and stay in your room. Same-gender PCAs are required when assisting students with bathing or toileting in a shared or public area restrooms. Housing may require evidence of PCA medical/immunization clearances as required by the college. The student is also responsible for ensuring the PCA has a parking permit for campus parking.

Consequences for Non-Compliance/Appeals Process:

Incidents of non-compliance in adhering to the policies set forth by the college by either the student or the PCA will be subject to review as follows:

Review: Student will be required to meet with appropriate representatives from the DSS Office, Morton Hall, Student Life and/or other appropriate departments to discuss the issue of noncompliance to determine possible solutions. A written resolution will be given to the student within 7 business days of completion of the informal investigation. If student or PCA violates policy again, this may result in any of the following sanctions: PCA no longer being permitted on campus property, a probationary period to correct the matter under review, removal of the student from campus housing, or other appropriate actions as deemed by the college.

If the student wishes to appeal the decision, the student will be required to complete the following process:

• Submit an appeal in writing to the Director of DSS within 10 business days

• The written appeal should include a detailed summary of the violation, the reason why the college should reconsider its decision, the student’s desired outcome, and corrective action to ensure no future violations. The student should include any relevant documentation. The PCA will not have access to campus or campus housing (if applicable) until the appeal process is completed.

• An informal investigation will be conducted by the Director of DSS and other CTC personnel as needed and will allow all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the appeal.

• The student will be provided in writing the decision of the Director of DSS within 10 business days after receipt of the student’s written appeal

• The decision of the college will be final.

For questions, contact the DSS office at DSS@ctcd.edu or 254-501-3006.