HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Butte Cty IHSS re: changes in IHSS SystemMark Gordon
Chair
Recipient
Daniel Grover
Vice -Chair
Recipient
Patricia Anthony
Recipient
Margery Avila
Recipient
Dorothy Churchill
Recipient
Domenic Console
Provider
Laura Funkhouser
Agency Representative
Robin Keehn
Agency Representative
Cheryl Leeth
County Representative
Sarah Okumbe
Provider
BUTTE COUNTY
IN HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
80ARDOFSUPERVISORS
December 4, 2009 DECD 7 =
Cathi Grams OROV'UE, CALIFORNIA
Director /Public Guardian / Public Administrator
78 Table Mountain Blvd
Oroville, CA 95965
Dear Ms. Grams:
In light of the recent changes to the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
system, the Butte County In-home Supportive Services Advisory Committee
would like to inform you of the effects of these changes on both consumer and
provider. These changes cause significant challenges to all involved with Butte
County's IHSS program.
The first significant challenge is that provider orientations are no longer
offered in Chico. Currently, if a consumer in Chico, the largest population in the
county, needs to hire a provider, they have to inform the potential provider that a
required orientation is only available in Oroville. This is 56 miles of travel
(roundtrip to Oroville) before ever receiving a dime in pay.
The second significant challenge brought on by recent legislation is
mandatory fingerprinting and Department of Justice (DOJ) background checks
of new providers. A consumer now has the compounding challenge of finding
qualified worker(s) for very low wages, willing to drive unreimbursed 56 miles
for an orientation, and upon arrival pay out of pocket upwards of $65.00 for
fingerprinting/DOJ background check. Furthermore, the DOJ background check
may take up to three weeks.
Finally, the Advisory Committee would like to address the issue of
access to the Butte County Public Authority. The Public Authority is essential
for Butte County's most vulnerable IHSS consumers. Many consumers have
communication barriers, memory loss or other symptoms of dementia. The
functional challenges experienced by some IHSS consumers for which they
receive assistance also makes locating, screening and interviewing a qualified
provider extremely difficult if not impossible. As we understand, the Butte
County Public Authority has received substantial funding decreases. Without the
assistance of the Butte County Public Authority, already vulnerable seniors and
persons with disabilities will be; 1) unable to utilize authorized services essential
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to their independence 2) be at increased risk of financial, physical and
sexual abuse due to inadequate screening of providers and 3) be at increased risk
of placement in a Medi -Cal funded skilled nursing facility.
Mark Gordon
Chair
Recipient
Daniel Grover
Vice -Chair
Recipient
Patricia Anthony
Recipient
Margery Avila
Recipient
Dorothy Churchill
Recipient
Domenic Console
Provider
Laura Funkhouser
Agency Representative
Robin Keehn
Agency Representative
Cheryl Leeth
County Representative
Sarah Okumbe
Provider
In summary, these changes have been made politically without noticeable
outcry from either IHSS consumers or providers. To become an IHSS provider
used to be a process of employment; now it is a criminal process. In addition to
the suffering and loss of independence experienced by the consumers, decreases
in Public Authority funding (services) and the aforementioned challenges to
hiring a provider could lead to increased loads on Adult Protective Services &
Public Guardian, public health nursing resources, IHSS social worker having to
repeat eligibility and determination of hours when consumers drop off the radar
and Long-term care MediCal administration.
The Advisory Council recognizes that the decisions regarding
fingerprinting and DOJ background checks are not made at the County level,
however please account for these new factors in the overall picture of
maintaining a functional Butte County IHSS system. We are asking that you
consider shifting available Butte County resources to restore Public Authority to
adequate operational levels. This would also facilitate returning provider
orientations to Chico. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, jl{/lrP� y� Y/
Mark Gordon, Chair of the Butte County IHSS Advisory Committee
Dan Grover, Vice Chair of the Butte County IHSS Advisory Committee
Cc: Butte County Board of Supervisors; Bill Connelly, Jane Dolan, Maureen
Kirk, Steve Lambert, Kim Yamaguchi, Clerk of the Board Kathleen Moghannam
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