By Terri Possley, IHSS Santa Clara County Program Manager
October 2020 | 2020 Fall Newsletter
For safety reasons, almost all In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) staff are working remotely from home, including phone agents, payroll, application readiness, social workers, supervisors, and managers. To process paperwork mailed to the IHSS office, staff come in from time-to-time on a rotating schedule. Staff meetings are held via Skype, Zoom, and telephone. As of now, there is no scheduled date for IHSS staff to return to the office building full time.
The IHSS lobby is closed to the public and signs are posted in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese, instructing IHSS care providers and care recipients to either enroll in Electronic Timesheets at etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov or to call the main telephone line for assistance: (408) 792-1600.
On July 6, 2020, the State extended the flexibility to allow social workers to conduct annual reassessments via telephone and videoconferencing through December 31, 2020.
As of August 4, 2020, intake assessments for new applicants are being conducted face-to-face. If the applicant has been exposed to COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 within the two weeks prior, an intake assessment may be conducted via videoconference.
Social workers will complete the majority of each intake assessment via telephone prior to the face-to-face contact in the care recipient’s home. Social workers will wear Personal Protective Equipment, such as masks, for the home visit portion of the intake assessment.
Effective August 3, 2020, IHSS is required to notify contact tracers of any care recipients and care providers who have tested positive for COVID-19.
IHSS staff would like to thank all care recipients and care providers in Santa Clara County for your continued understanding, cooperation, and support during these difficult times. Our priority is keeping all of you and our staff safe and healthy.