In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board

The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Advisory Board is a state-mandated function of the Public Authority (PA) that ensures consumers and providers of IHSS improve the outcomes and processes of California’s IHSS program within Santa Clara County.

What Does the IHSS Advisory Board Do?

The Advisory Board surveys, evaluates, and provides recommendations to the IHSS Public Authority Governing Board, PA staff, and IHSS County Administrative staff. 51 percent of Advisory Board members are current or past users of IHSS or personal care services. The state mandate for the IHSS Advisory Board responsibilities include:

Making Recommendations and Providing Advice
Submitting recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on preferred service modes, policy, and funding. Recommendations are presented to the Governing Body, Public Authority Services Director, and IHSS County Administration.

Staying Informed
Staying informed on issues affecting recipients and providers in the IHSS program

Participating in Outreach
Participating in outreach and educational activities through training and resource sharing

Advocating
Engaging in advocacy activities related to IHSS recipient and provider issues locally and on the state level.

The IHSS Advisory Board members applied and were appointed by the Public Authority Services Governing Body—the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. 

Current Members of the IHSS Advisory Board

  • Joyce Felix-Builes
  • Michelle Findley (Ex-Officio Member)
  • David Forderer, Co-Chair
  • Joanna Kent, Chair
  • Mathew Lubinsky
  • Michele Mashburn
  • Narendra Pathak
  • Natascha Walker
  • Janie Whiteford

IHSS Advisory Board Minutes and Agendas

The IHSS Advisory Board surveys, evaluates, and provides recommendations to the IHSS PA Governing Board, Public Authority Services staff, and IHSS County Administrative staff in Santa Clara County. Issues related IHSS services and processes are discussed during Advisory Board meetings.

The items planned to be examined and issues discussed during Advisory Board Meetings are available for review at any time for those who are not able to join the meetings themselves.

Click the Learn More button to read through the minutes for past meetings and see the agendas planned for upcoming meetings.

IHSS Advisory Board meeting invitation

IHSS Advisory Board meetings are open to the public and you are invited to have your voice heard at any upcoming meeting!

IHSS Advisory Board meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Exceptions to this schedule are rare, but do occur.

If you are interested in attending a meeting of the IHSS Advisory Board, you may attend in-person or virtually on Zoom.  Note you must register for each virtual meeting. In-person meetings are generally held at:

Santa Clara County Social Services Agency
333 West Julian Street
San Jose, CA  95110
1st Floor Auditorium

However, due to scheduling issues, the meetings may be in another location. Contact Public Authority Services at (408) 350-3286 to confirm the exact location or check the agenda for the specific meeting date.

Interested in becoming a member of the IHSS Advisory Board? The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors appoint new members as vacancies become available. Learn more by attending an IHSS Advisory Board meeting and speaking with a member of the Public Authority Services staff.

2026 Advisory Board Meeting Dates

January 20
February 17
March 17
April 21

May 19
June 16
July 21
August 18

September 15
October 20
November 17
December 15

Interested in learning about events hosted by the IHSS Advisory Board? Visit the events page!

SELECT LANGUAGE»