English
IHSS Resources: Where to find what you need
Appendix of IHSS Specific Resources
General resources and websites for Homecare Providers
Glossary of IHSS terms and abbreviations
IHSS Client Resources & Benefits Planning
IHSS Specific Resources; Appendix for FAQ
| Source | Document Link(s) |
| (1)Disability Rights California – DRC – This is THE definitive site for research on IHSS program rules. It has publications that cover numerous subjects in multiple languages. If you are confused by all the resources and only look at one – this should be that one. Publications have fact sheets on California budget cuts affecting IHSS, detailed descriptions of the Functional Index ranking, worksheets to prepare for an IHSS Initial Intake, Annual Assessment or Hearing before an administrative law judge.
They also cover the subjects of Protective Supervision, Paramedical Services, Children with developmental disabilities, psychiatric diagnosis, and other categories of IHSS eligibility. One of the features of the “IHSS Fair Hearing and Self Assessment” package is that it describes reasons that IHSS case workers use to deny benefits, and what you need to say that justifies why the benefits are necessary. DRC’S IHSS PUPLICATIONS Has links for numerous IHSS documents in many languages , including but not limited to those subjects listed below:
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| (2) Disability 101 Website; IHSS Multiple IHSS topics. A user-friendly resource designed for non-professionals as well as professionals. This site is kept current, and has links that cover a broad range of IHSS topics including eligibility, what IHSS will pay for, etc. Also has calculators for helping with income determinations, and a forum where you can ask questions. | English: (HTML – Web Page)Disability 101 FAQ for IHSS |
| (3) What About IHSS?Multiple IHSS topics. A 60 page government publication which covers almost every aspect of the IHSS program including; eligibility, application, assessment, services paid for, protective supervision, IHSS for children, appeals (Hearings) etc. This document was written in 2001 but most of the information and rules are still in use and currently applicable. | English:What About IHSS? (PDF file, 60 pg. 1406 KB) |
| (4) IHSS Consumer Handbook.(CA DPSS publication)Covers many aspects of IHSS, from eligibility guidelines and tasks IHSS will pay for, to “Share of Cost,” organizational skills, and other Consumer responsibilities. Has very specific and detailed information for consumers on how to train, hire, supervise, and communicate with a provider. Does not cover the Needs Assessment process as thoroughly as resource #1 above. | English.IHSS Consumer Handbook (PDF file, 110 pg. 3,505 KB) |
| (5) IHSS Provider Handbook. (CA DPSS publication) Duplicates much of the general program information that is in the Consumer Handbook (above). Has additional information specific to the responsibilities of the provider including interview skills; organizational skills; information about various conditions which may be encountered (stroke, diabetes, etc.); universal precautions; home safety; etc. Does not cover the Needs Assessment process as thoroughly as resource #1 above. | English.IHSS Provider Handbook (PDF file, 146 pg. 3,885 KB) |
| (6) Protective SupervisionThis document published by Disability Rights California, is specific to the subject of “Protective Supervision.” This category of IHSS is available for monitoring the behavior of non-self directing, confused, mentally impaired or mentally ill persons. If eligible for this category, the client will be authorized for 195 to 283 hrs per month. (also see resource #3 above and resource #11 below) | English: Protective Supervision (PDF file, 8 pg. 77 KB) Spanish: Protective Supervision (PFF file, 26 pg. 58 KB) |
| (7) Hospital or Institutional Assessments Published by Protection and Advocacy Inc. County IHSS eligibility workers must process the application of persons in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. A consumer already qualified for IHSS should have a reassessment in their home after being hospitalized. | English County IHSS Eligibility Workers Must Process the Application of Persons In Nursing Facilities and Hospitals (Web page) |
| (8) IHSS and Regional Center – combined support Disability Rights California publication. Older document. Consumers that get support from Regional centers should not be denied IHSS because they get similar services from a Regional Center. | English:Regional Center Respite & IHSS for Consumers Needing Protective Supervision |
| (9) Paid Family Leave for Home Care Providers. “All County Information Notice” (ACIN) describing conditions where providers may be eligible for paid family leave. | English:All County Information Notice No: I-54-07 (PDF file, 2 pg.31KB) |
| (10) Authorized Representative Form For designating a friend, relative, union representative, or advocate. | English:(PDF file, 1 pg. 39 KB) Authorized Representative Form |
| (11) Doctor’s form for Protective SupervisionFor your doctor to verify the need for Protective Supervision services. | English:(PDF file, 1 pg 352 KB) Doctor Form for Protective Supervision |
| (12) Other IHSS Forms. These are some of the actual forms used by IHSS case workers. Subjects too numerous to list. | English: Web Page linked with numerous PDF files CA Dept of Social Services Website, Forms and Publications Scroll to where it says “IHSS” |
| (13) Timesheets and Paychecks(For IHSS Independent Providers – IP) Sometimes a timesheet gets returned because IHSS determines that it was not filled out properly. Pay checks can also get lost or stolen. These problems will delay the provider’s paycheck and also future paychecks if a replacement timesheet is not requested right away. Find out how to avoid this from happening, or how to fix it if it does. | English: (HTML – Web Page)Payroll and Timesheets Spanish: (HTML – Web Page) Nómina ay Tarjetas de tiempo |
| (14) Your Rights Under California Welfare Programs. Government informational pamphlet — not specific to IHSS but does cover some IHSS issues. | English: 2pg brochure, 8.5×11PDF File (140 KB) Your Rights Under California Welfare Programs |
| (15) California Welfare & Institutions CodeGood state hearing resource. This online manual has the exact legal language that IHSS policies are based on. | English: Web PageCalifornia Welfare & Institutions Code |
| (16) California Dept of Social Services Online Manual of Policies and ProceduresThis site has numerous links to PDF documents for various CDSS manuals covering Social Services Standards, Adult Protective Services, etc. Good state hearing resource. | English: (HTML – Web Page)CDSS Manual of Policies & Procedures |
| (17) Department of Social Services All County Letters (ACLs) and All County Information Notices (ACINs)All County Letters” (ACL) and “All County Information Notices” (ACIN) are official notices from the State to the counties – issued by the Department of Social Services, and also by the Department of Health Care Services, that provide guidance, information or answers questions regarding implementation of new state laws that counties are responsible for implementing | English: (HTML – Web Page)Dept Social Services Letters and Notices Of importance to IHSS stakeholders. Click on ACL or ACIN then year, then look for IHSS topics. |
| (18) California Dept of Social Services (CDSS) State Hearing DepartmentThis website is a gold-mine of information on that includes IHSS hearings and regulations. It has tabs guiding you to different resources including “paraphrased regulations” meaning layman’s terms to make research easier. Decisions and regulations pertain to many aspects of IHSS. | English: (HTML – Web Page)State Hearing Department |
| (19) Terms & Definitions Used in IHSS and related documents / researchHas abbreviations, and definitions of commonly used labels & phrases. | English: (HTML – Web Page)Terms & Definitions |
General information websites and resources for
care providers and their clients:
Adapt
http://www.adapt.org/
This is a national website to get informed and participate in the fight for legislation that provides home care instead of institutions. “There’s no place like home; and we mean real homes, not nursing homes. We are fighting so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports instead of being locked away in nursing homes and other institutions.”
AT Network
Provides access to and information on assistive technologies and related services. Assistive technologies can be anything from eyeglasses and hearing aids to sophisticated power wheelchairs or computer equipment.
California Department of Aging
This site contains information on services and support for individuals needing or providing homecare including; Adult Day Care, Alzheimer’s Day Care, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, Legal Assistance, Nutrition Services, Respite Program, Senior Companion Program, and more.
California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN)
The CDCAN website is a virtual meeting place for disability/aging news and networking. They host “Town Hall Meetings” by teleconference that can be participated in by anyone, and listened to afterwards by going to their Audio Archives. These meetings have valuable information on specific issues. CDCAN also has a great email alert network that you can sign up to free of charge.
“TheCalifornia Disability Community Action Network, is a non-partisan link to thousands of Californians with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain injuries, the Blind, the Deaf, their families, community organizations and providers, direct care, homecare and other workers, and other advocates to provide information on state (and eventually federal), local public policy issues.”
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
http://www.cfilc.org/site/c.ghKRI0PDIoE/b.695113/k.CB59/Home.htm
“The entire focus of the Independent Living Movement is the realization that freedom to make choices and the ability to live in the community is a basic civil right that should be extended to all people, regardless of disability. With this framework, Independent Living Center staff work with and for the consumer to promote his or her independence in the community.”
Directory of Regional Centers
Regional Centers functions as a leader and advocate in promoting the continuing entitlement of individuals with developmental disabilities to all services that enable full community inclusion.
http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rclist.cfm
Disability Benefits 101
http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org/index.htm
This site contains invaluable information for caregivers who are helping their clients transition to work, or for clients who need to research how work will effect their government benefits. Additionally, there are many other resource links and information on disability benefits: “DB101 brings together rules for health coverage, benefit, and employment programs that people with disabilities use. These programs may be administered by the state, the federal government, or private organizations; here, we discuss them under one roof, in plain language.” Make sure to check out their forum, where you can actually get answers to individual or specific questions!
Disability Resources
http://www.disabilityresources.org/
This site is a virtual library of information about website’s serving the disability community. It includes thousands of the best disability resources on the Internet, selected and annotated by the staff of Disability Resources Monthly and alphabetically arranged by subject for easy access. This is a wonderful site because it provides helpful reviews of the sites, not merely links.
Energy Bill Assistance
HEAP Program
If you are low-income and are having difficulty paying your energy bill, the Low Income HEAP program (LIHEAP) may be able to help.
Family Caregiver Alliance; National Center on Caregiving
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp
Includes pages with info and advice for care providers, public policy and research concerning care providers, fact sheets and publications, newsletters, groups, and much more. This is a very extensive collection of information and resources.
Grants – The Disability Resources research page
http://www.disabilityresources.org/GRANTS.html
This is the starting place for you to research Grant opportunities for individuals or organizations.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
http://www.inlandagency.org/html/hicap_home.htm 1 800 434-0222
Provides information and assistance with Medicare, managed care (HMO’s), long-term care insurance and other related health insurance issues. Trained volunteer counselors offer objective information to help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries make good health care decisions.
Health Coverage in California (Foundation for Health Coverage Education)
Simplifying public and private health insurance eligibility information in order to help more people access coverage. This is the site to get you help in finding alternative coverage if you have no health benefits for workers in your county through IHSS.
Services in California Call 800.234.1317
ICan
http://www.icanonline.net/
Everything from news and opinions to disability radio shows and transportation.
In-Home Supportive Services Coalition
http://www.ihsscoalition.org/
The IHSS Coalition is a group comprised of stakeholders in the California IHSS program. A diversity of perspectives is represented in our coalition: consumer, worker, advocacy, and program administration. Our common goals are maintaining necessary funding for the program, and working together to improve the home care system in a manner that will make it more functional for all.
Institute for Independent Living
http://www.independentliving.org/
The Independent Living Institute is an non-profit private foundation based in Sweden. This site was included because it has an extensive library, and sponsors many projects including listings for accessible vacation home exchange and global networking.
National Alliance for Caregiving
http://www.caregiving.org/
The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them. They have a resource collection for finding the perfect book, video, or website on caregiving issues.
National Center on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.com/
This organization is focused on helping ensure that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection from both natural and man-made emergencies.
National Council on Independent Living
http://www.ncil.org/
NCIL is a membership organization that advocates for the human rights of, and services for, people with disabilities to further their full integration and participation in society.
National Organization on Disability
http://www.nod.org/
The mission of the N.O.D. is to expand the participation and contribution of the 54 million persons in America with disabilities in all aspects of life.
National Technical Assistance Center for Latinos with Disabilities
http://www.proyectovision.net/
Resources, news, opportunities, success stories, and more, as well as specific links to Hispanic/ Latino community information & resources.
Network of Care
http://networkofcare.org/home.cfm
A comprehensive, Internet-based resource is for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and service providers. Network of Care also has local information on individual Counties within California.
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
http://www.taskca.org/
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) is a Parent Training and Information Center that Parents & Professionals can turn to for assistance in seeking and obtaining needed early intervention, educational, medical or therapeutic support service for children.
The Center for An Accessible Society
http://www.accessiblesociety.org/
A national organization designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues, and specializing in disability information for journalists.
World Institute on Disability
http://www.wid.org/
This organization is dedicated to promoting the civil rights and full societal inclusion of people with disabilities. They have an e-newsletter which you may sign up for (at no charge), and that has very helpful and specific information for those dealing with disabilities or the care of the disabled/elderly.
Guidelines for use and disclaimer
By providing information and links to other sites, UDW Homecare Providers Union does not in any way guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to UDW. We are making these resources available so that home care workers and their clients may streamline their research process as well as network on local, state, and national levels. Information about IHSS rules or legal issues given on this site is meant strictly to be a research starting point and is subject to current rules and law. While we try to publish the most current information available, the laws & rules that govern IHSS are complex and do change. Always use professional advice and verify all information to make sure it is current before making changes that might affect your eligibility.
