IHSS Public Authority Recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) who do not have a family member, friend, or relative to provide authorized services for them and need help finding a service provider can get help through the IHSS Public Authority. The Public Authority was established in 2003 to improve the quality of in-home support for both providers and clients, and allows IHSS recipients to remain safely in their own homes and avoid institutionalization. The role of the IHSS Public Authority is to:
Act as the employer of record for providers
Conduct provider recruitment
Maintain a Registry of screened providers
Refer providers to IHSS recipients
Conduct provider training
Registry of Providers The Registry functions primarily as a database of screened and trained providers who can perform residential and personal care services for IHSS recipients. Requests are sent by the IHSS social worker to the Public Authority for provider referral to the IHSS recipient. The Public Authority staff then refers potential providers to the IHSS recipients for interviews. It is the IHSS recipient, or a designated representative, who conducts the interviews, hires, and, when necessary, terminates the provider(s).
The IHSS Public Authority administers a contract with the Service Employees International Union - Long Term Care Workers (SEIU-LTCW) Local 6434 regarding salaries and benefits for providers. The union oversees the benefits program, determines which providers are eligible for services, and administers the program, which includes a trust account into which funds from provider salaries are placed. Salaries and dates of salary increases are established by the union contract.
Provider Requirements All prospective providers must submit an application, be fingerprinted, and undergo suitability screening. Public Authority staff conducts a background check for any criminal convictions and to ensure that the applicant has a legal right to work in the United States. All applicants and current providers must also undergo a Department of Justice Live Scan background check and will be removed from the Registry if at any time they are convicted, plead guilty, or nolo contendere to certain crimes.
Once the background screening has been completed, the applicant attends a half-day orientation and a suitability interview. The Public Authority ensures that all providers are given five days of intake and training (approximately 30 hours) prior to sending them out for interviews with IHSS recipients. Training includes, but is not limited to, a detailed program overview, showing of videos regarding personal care, universal precautions, and elder abuse, to ensure that providers are made aware of the importance of their work and understand the limitations of the program. Representatives from the Alzheimer's Association, the Red Cross, the County Behavioral Health Department, and other organizations often partner in the delivery of training.
To request an application or learn more about becoming an IHSS provider, call 654-3416.
Frequently Asked Questions Who do I call if I need help with my timecard? Training on how to complete timecards is offered to all In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers. Timecard training is conducted in English and in Spanish. Providers may call the Public Authority office at 654-3416 to schedule an appointment or request assistance with timecard-related matters.
Do I qualify for any benefits? IHSS providers are covered under Workers’ Compensation. In addition, the Service Employees International Union - Long Term Care Workers (SEIU-LTCW) Local 6434 represents all IHSS caregivers in Ventura County. SEIU-LTCW provides medical benefits to providers based on 80 paid hours worked each month. Please call 1-888-373-3018 for more information on benefits and open enrollment.
How do I go about requesting more work? Client cases are divided into two regions. Call the appropriate Public Authority regional office to request more work:
Ventura, Ojai, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme (805) 654-3416
Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Newbury Park (805) 306-7988
Call during normal business hours, or leave a message. Staff will return calls as soon as possible with potential referrals.
Once providers have been hired, they must call us right away to coordinate all necessary paperwork. Program staff will let providers know when they can begin work.
What happens if there are problems on the job site? We recommend that providers try to address the problems directly. If there is a communication barrier with the recipient, an intervention may be required. Providers may contact us directly with their concerns and we will assist. Please refer to the regional office phone numbers given above.
To view an IHSS Provider orientation video, click a language below.
Hotlines 
