By Frank Ochoa
October 2017 | 2017 Fall Newsletter
Public Authority (PA) Registry serves both Consumers and Independent Care Providers (IPs) of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. The Registry’s highest responsibility is managing the ’list’ or ’referral database’.
Using a customized computer program, staff members of the Registry maintain a database of enrolled IPs who are looking for employment with consumers. Of the nearly 44,000 IPs and consumers enrolled in the IHSS program in Santa Clara County, an estimated 500 care providers are currently listed in the PA Registry, with 1,200 consumers currently using the Registry to find and hire IPs.
PA Registry Specialists help consumers by providing a list of IP names or ‘referrals’. Using a database designed to create a customized list for each consumer when they ask for one, the list filters IPs based on the consumer’s needs, including: location, hours needed, and tasks required.
Care Providers are considered based on these (and other) factors:
- Available to work for more consumers
- Available during the consumer’s preferred work schedule
- Able to commute to the consumer’s area
- Willing to perform the tasks approved by IHSS and needed by the consumer (bathing, transfers, grooming, etc.)
- Willing to work in the consumer’s home environment (smoking, pets in home, etc.)
With search filters in place, the list of 500 IP names can drastically drop to a smaller pool of 10–20 possible providers matching the consumer’s needs. At times, the pool can drop even further, and be completely emptied, resulting in no available IPs.
Certain communities have a very small number of available IPs, including: Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Gilroy, and Morgan Hill. These areas are located at the outer edges of the county. As large numbers of IPs live in central and east San Jose, IPs may not be willing to commute to areas which may be considered too far to travel. PA Registry and Training Specialists dedicate time and effort to recruit new IPs who live in these outer edge areas.
Finding the right care provider can be difficult. PA Registry Specialists help by using the database to create a screened list of candidates meeting the desired requirements. A consumer will interview an IP in person to decide on whether the match is a good fit. The PA Registry is available to help consumers with the process, and provide tips and guidance. The final screening and decision is made by the consumer.