PCA: A Personal Care Assistant is someone that helps a person with a disability with their daily routine.
Anybody can be a PCA. All types of PCAs are needed because there's all types of people with disabilities. No formal training is necessary. The individual or family will instruct you. In essence they are the employer. The support needed varies so work hours may be flexible.
A good PCA is:
-Punctual
-Discreet
-Dependable
-Respectful
-Positive
-Professional
-Clean & Healthy
-Shows initiative
PCAs ARE IN DEMAND
Virginia is working hard to close institutions for people with disabilities. There will be a large number of people with disabilities looking for PCAs. There are already a large number of people with disabilities that have lived in their community all their lives and can use YOU to continue to stay in charge of their life.
WHERE DO I GO TO BE A PCA?
-PCA and Consumer Online Directory - Search for PCAs or look for work.
https://connect.publicpartnerships.com/va/login.aspx
-PCA and Consumer Online Directory - Search for PCAs or look for work.
https://connect.publicpartnerships.com/va/login.aspx
-Local Centers for Independent Living (CILs) can help you connect with people with disabilities. They also help people with disabilities find PCAs.
Find a Center near you: http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/
-Community Service Boards (CSBs)
Other resources:
-DMAS List of Consumer Directed Waiver Providers
-Websites like Care.com
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Virginia's Online Directory Available for Consumer-Directed Assistants
AND
What is a Consumer-Directed Assistant?
We welcome your feedback on the Directory. Please send your comments to VaWaivers@endependence.org. Revisions will be made to the Directory based on use and feedback.
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) provided funding for the development of the Directory through the Improvement and Expansion of Consumer-Directed Services grant awarded to the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living. The Directory was developed and is hosted by Public Partnerships (PPL).
http://www.cdsupport.info
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Become a valued part of an individual with a disability life. Help a person with a disability gain and maintain their independence. Assist a person to live life the way THEY want.
Become a valued part of an individual with a disability life. Help a person with a disability gain and maintain their independence. Assist a person to live life the way THEY want.
Help empower their ability and desire to take charge of their life and contribute to their community.
Something to think about:
A lot of people with a disabilities are missing the assistance to be all that they can be.
Maybe if PCA were a competitive job occupation more people with disabilities would put their drive to use with the assistance of PCAs to make their community stronger.
Do you believe in the value of every person and their role in society and in their community? Do you agree communities are stronger when all citizens participate and are involved?
If you are open minded, willing to learn, take direction, and answered YES! to the questions above you can be a PCA.
BE A PCA!
