5.8.3 Education Assistant (EA) Engagement Policy

POLICY TYPE: 5.0 Educational Program Policies \ 5.8 Special Education
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2018-07-25	LAST REVISED:
THIS POLICY APPLIES TO: Contractors – Individuals engaged to provide services under a contract with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Support Providers – Individuals engaged under a contract or agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation to provide services for a specific learner Families – Learners and parents(s)/guardian(s) of learners participating in SelfDesign Learning Foundation’s programs Volunteers – Individuals providing goods/services under the terms of an agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board Members – Members of the Board of Directors for SelfDesign Learning Foundation and the Foundation for SelfDesign (FSD)

Policy Statement

SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to providing a comprehensive educational program for learners receiving Inclusive Education services. This includes the contracting of Education Assistants (EAs).

Definitions

Education Assistant (EA) – a support provider who works individually with a learner to achieve IEP goals under the direction of a specially trained educator with Inclusive Education experience

Policy

SelfDesign Learning Foundation will engage the learner in activities in consideration of the IEP goals, as directed by the educator and the learner’s family.

A parent/guardian (over the age of 19 years old) will be present in the home at any time the EA is providing service. The EA will respect the importance of confidentiality for the learner and family.

SDLF will also require adherence to the Protocols below.

Protocol

Hiring

Final approval for contracting a EA will be made by the educator, further:

If it is necessary to advertise for an EA, the educator will approve the ad and SelfDesign Learning Community must not be mentioned by name.

A EA will not be a member of the learner’s immediate or extended family.

A EA may not begin providing service until the Orientation, Documentation Checklist, a signed agreement, and budget info are complete and have been received by the SelfDesign Learning Community.

A family may interview potential EAs and make recommendations to the educator.

Invoicing & Payment

EAs will submit the required documents monthly, within the appropriate time frame, after support has been rendered.

EAs will be paid according to the rates and regulations put forth by SDLF, therefore:

The rate of pay for a EA will be determined by the educator in accordance with the SP fee schedule.

EAs will not provide service during the months of July and August (except as approved by the educator).

EAs will be paid for direct support of the learner only, not for meetings, prep, or travel, with one exception – EAs will be paid for a meeting arranged and facilitated by the educator (usually once a year, if at all).

Communicable Disease Procedure

SDLF requires that any communicable disease-related health and safety protocols specified on the SDLF website be adhered to by EAs while providing educational services to SelfDesign Learning Community learners.

Reporting on Engagement

The EA will report to the educator by providing feedback on learning in relation to IEP goals, objectives, and provincial learning standards as required. The EA will report weekly if providing eight or more hours of service a week, however the educator may require weekly reporting from EAs working less than eight hours a week if it is appropriate for the situation. If there is no weekly reporting required, the EA is required to provide two reports: mid-year and end of year.

Session Cancellation

If the parent/guardian cancels a session(s) with a EA with less than 48 hours notice:

SelfDesign Learning Community will honour payment for up to two sessions that are cancelled with less than 48 hours notice of the scheduled appointment using the IEP budget if the session is not able to be rescheduled within 7 days, however in order to be compensated, EAs must follow the invoicing procedures in their Contract Agreement.

EAs are responsible for communicating their individual cancellation policies to families at the start of each contract. SelfDesign Learning Community recommends that the policy require the family give 48 hours notice when rescheduling with the EA. The parent/guardian is responsible for paying out-of-pocket for session(s) within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment(s) if they have cancelled more than twice during the school year.

Transporting Learners

EAs will adhere to the Learner Transportation Policy which includes having a valid driver’s license, holding current $5 million liability automobile insurance, and having submitted a signed parent/guardian permission form.