TSS As Aide in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, a child with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may qualify for behavioral health services through Medical Assistance and may be provided with a TSS - Therapeutic Support Staff - who, in some instances, may go to preschool or school with the child. A TSS is never allowed to deliver specialized instruction to a student and can only serve the functions of a personal care assistant.

One advantage for the school district in using a TSS is that the TSS is paid for by Medical Assistance and not by special education funds. However, some school districts do not like to use a TSS to satisfy the requirement of a personal care assistant in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This is because a TSS is responsible to his or her employer - the behavioral health agency - and not the school district. If the TSS does not show up to school, the school may be out of compliance with the IEP if it does not find a replacement. Yet the school may not know that the TSS will be absent until the school day has already begun, which may be too late to find a substitute.