There is an option available for people who need part-time support but do not need to have someone with them round the clock, or who need full-time support but would find it difficult to pay for a support person's travel expenses: They can hire a support person, for as few or as many hours as they need, from a home health agency in Philadelphia.

This is not a part of Autreat. It is not a service provided by ANI. If you decide to hire a support person from a Philadelphia agency, you will be the one to contract with the agency. You will have to communicate and explain your needs to the support person. You will have to pay the support person, and you will also have to pay the Autreat fees for the support person to be on campus. If you aren't happy with the support person, you will have to work things out with the support person or with the agency that employs the support person.

Obviously if you're going to consider this option, you need to be able to communicate and work with a support person who is not familiar to you. But if you are able to do this, then hiring a local support person may be a more affordable alternative than paying the wages and Autreat registration plus transportation costs for a support person that you bring from home.

There are many home health agencies in Philadelphia where you can hire a part-time support person. ANI has contact information for some agencies, and will give you the information upon request ((Please email Jim Sinclair). Alternatively, you may find an agency on your own, or you may hire a support person without going through an agency.