By Angelina Soria
January 2025 | 2025 Winter Newsletter
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers have the important task of finding their own Independent Provider (IP). This involves a range of responsibilities, such as interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, and, if needed, letting go of their IP. This process can be particularly challenging for consumers due to physical limitations, mental health issues, or other specific circumstances.
Care Coaching is a program managed by Public Authority Services to help consumers with the process of hiring a provider. Consumers who need additional support can be referred to the Care Coaching program to manage tasks like contacting potential IPs, conducting interviews, completing IHSS paperwork, and resolving any conflicts that may arise.
Eligible consumers will have an assigned Care Coordinator (CC) who will conduct an in-home visit. During these visits, the CC will review the IHSS process and explain how the Care Coaching program can help. If the consumer is open to it, the CC will also assist in the hiring process by evaluating potential IPs from a registry of providers and arranging interviews with those who seem to be the best fit for the consumer’s needs. The CC will be present during these interviews to facilitate the discussion and help with the necessary paperwork once the consumer makes their choice.
Throughout this process, the CC will also assess the consumer’s ability to manage the hiring process independently, as fostering independence is a key goal of the program. If the Registry Manager and CC assess that the consumer will be able to conduct the hiring process on their own, they will transition the consumer to the Regular Registry for future provider requests.
Call your social worker at IHSS and ask for a Referral to the Care Coaching program.