REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 4, 2021
FROM
ROSA HIDALGO, Executive Director, In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority
SUBJECT
Title
Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request to the California Department of Social Services for In-Home Supportive Services Provider Wages and Benefits
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of the County of San Bernardino, approve and authorize the submission of a Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) to the California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Social Services, updating the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium rate pertaining to wages and benefits, for a total net decrease of $0.04 per hour, from to $16.15 per hour to $16.11 per hour, effective July 1, 2021, updating the rate components specified below:
a. Non-Health Benefits to be established at $0.01 per hour.
b. Administrative Rate decrease of $0.05 per hour, from $0.13 per hour to $0.08 per hour.
2. Acting as the governing body of the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority, approve and authorize the submission of a Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) to the California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Social Services, updating the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium rate pertaining to wages and benefits, for a total net decrease of $0.04 per hour, from to $16.15 per hour to $16.11 per hour, effective July 1, 2021, updating the rate components specified below:
a. Non-Health Benefits to be established at $0.01 per hour.
b. Administrative Rate decrease of $0.05 per hour, from $0.13 per hour to $0.08 per hour.
3. Acting as the governing body of the County of San Bernardino, adopt a Resolution approving the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) and authorize the Chairman and the Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the Resolution, as required by the California Department of Social Services.
(Presenter: Rosa Hidalgo, Executive Director, 891-9102)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GO ALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The net decrease of $0.04 per hour to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Non-Health Benefits and Administrative Rate components does not impact the provider hourly wage and wage supplement, which remains at $14.50. IHSS Provider wages and benefits are funded by federal, state funds, and Social Services Realignment. The estimated total hourly rate of $16.51 (sum of wages, health benefits, non-health benefits, payroll taxes, and administrative rate) is computed by adding total services costs and total administrative costs divided by the number of estimated IHSS provider hours. Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in the IHSS Public Authority 2021-22 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2002, the County established the IHSS Public Authority to serve elderly, blind, or disabled individuals who are not able to remain in their homes without assistance. Ordinance No. 3842 adopted on January 8, 2002 (Item No. 58) established the IHSS Public Authority to act as the employer for San Bernardino In-Home Supportive Services providers pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 12301.6, subdivision (c)(1), and to perform other IHSS functions as required by Welfare and Institutions Code section 12301.6, subdivision (e) and not retained by the County.
On March 11, 2021, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) issued All County Letter No. I-67-20 notifying counties of changes to the claiming process for Non-Health Benefits, which are to be claimed under the Services Category effective July 1, 2021. As a result, IHSS Public Authority must establish a Non-Health Benefits rate within the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) in order to claim reimbursement of purchases for protective gloves, masks, and antibacterial soap for IHSS Providers providing care to consumers. These purchases are authorized and required under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding approved on December 10, 2019 (Item No. 50) with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015, who represent the Providers in the IHSS Provider Unit.
Approval of this item will allow IHSS Public Authority to submit the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) to CDSS in order to remain compliant to changes in CDSS’ claiming process, as well as the terms of the MOU with SEIU. In addition, this item will adopt a Resolution approving the Public Authority and Non-Profit Consortium Rate Change Request (SOC 449) and authorizes the Chairman and the Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the Resolution, as required by CDSS.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 19, 2021; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392 and John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 15, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on April 15, 2021.