Primary Duties of the Behavioral Assistant (BA)
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Implement behavioral and educational goals stipulated in the target child's IEP.
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Assist in providing curricular, behavior managment, and physical needs.
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Encourage and teach appropriate social skills, as directed by the IEP team.
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Assist in the development of communication skills.
BAs and Pupil Meds
The law prohibits BAs from administering medications. We defer to the school protocol adopted at the site. BCRC assistants may monitor a child who self-administers single doses sent from home daily.
Physical Intervention to Manage Potentially Dangerous Behavior
BCRC's behavior change philosophy does not permit our assistants to physically restrain a student unless that student's behavior represents a substantial threat to the safety of the student, the BA, or to another person in the vicinity. Even during these times, we attempt to do everything possible to avoid restraint. However, if a dangerous situation arises, BCRC staff can help district staff return the situation to one of normality as quickly as possible.
If physical management is required, a Special Incident Report must be filed with BCRC.
Access to BCRC supervisors
School staff is more than welcome to contact BCRC supervisors at any time about anything of concern. All supervisors can be contacted via their cell phones/pagers.
BA Communication with Parents
On the one hand, it is important to keep parents informed of their child's progress and challenges and who knows this better than a BA? On the other hand, parental communication usually falls within the province of the credentialed teacher and we wish to preserve this relationship at all costs. From our point of view, BCRC would feel most comfortable if the teacher would be responsible for most parental communication and that assistants defer to them when parental questions arise.
Driving
During work hours, BCRC assistants are prohibited from being the driver of a vehicle with or without pupils or school staff in said vehicle. Exceptions can be arranged for field trips and other events with advance discussion.
Assistants' Home Phone Numbers
BCRC does not give out personal home phone numbers without expressed permission from that staff member. An individual staff member has discretion to give out their phone number if asked directly. In most cases, we have found that contact with a BA at home is not needed. If you need to get in contact with a BCRC staff member for whom you do not have a phone number, we would be happy to relay a message or call for you.
