SB 1104 required CDSS and county welfare departments to establish a dedicated QA function to conduct routine scheduled reviews of IHSS cases. This report is the first out after conducting the review. 17,621 case reviews, resulting in about 10 percent of QA case reviews resulted in a change in authorized service hours. Not listed in the executive summary is the discovery that 4% of the cases referred for fraud follow up were being underpaid. Overall, although there was a high level of achievement, not all counties did all required reviews, and data was inconsistent, and the review demonstrated that there needs to be improvements in QA data forms, instructions and training.  The review (with the revised forms) does seem to detect “critical incidents” where an IHSS recipient may be at risk. [Download]

 

Implementing the Oster settlement, reducing the 8% IHSS cut down to a 7% cut.  [Download]

Announcing the release of another info-vid. This one illustrates the various IHSS program services, including the assessment and authorization process, and is a continuation of the IHSS Recipient Education materials required by the Community First Choice Option.  Counties will get a copy sent to them, but it’s also on-line. [Download]

The new minimum wage will impact IHSS provider rates.  The minimum wage for all industries will go up to $9.00 effective July 1, 2014, and to $10.00 per hour after January 1, 2016.Counties with an IHSS provider wage less than $9.00 per hour will be required to submit a PA Rate Change Request. The county Board of Supervisors approval will not be required for the minimum wage increase unless it is for a rate above the $9.00 per hour wage, or provides for an increase in the other components (i.e., payroll taxes, health benefits, or administrative costs).  [Download]

Info on how to become certified by CDSS as a Qualified Agency to be able to contract. Qualified Agencies may provide IHSS to recipient who: 1) have been determined to be unable to function as the employer of the provider due to dementia, cognitive impairment, or other similar issues; 2) have been identified to need services under contract mode by the care coordination team ; or 3) are unable to retain a provider due to geographical isolation and distance, authorized hours, or other reasons. When a recipient who is severely impaired, is referred to a Qualified Agency, the Qualified Agency may provide emergency backup services, as needed, when a provider is unavailable due to vacation, illness, or other extraordinary circumstances, or the recipient is in the process of hiring or replacing a provider.  [Download]

WIC Section 12330 required that DSS meet with stakeholders to develop a voluntary IHSS provider training “that addresses issues of consistency, accountability, and increased quality of care.”  This Notice releases the training, which is a compilation of training resources that include 15 topics and a variety of subtopics. [Download]