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Adopt a resolution recognizing November as In-Home Supportive Services Home Care Workers Month in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt a resolution recognizing November as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Home Care Workers Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
H&SS joins the National Association of Home Care & Hospice to honor the millions of home care workers for the remarkable difference made in assisting the elderly and disabled to live safely and with dignity in their own homes. As individuals age, activities of daily living, household maintenance, managing medical care, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can all become challenging. For more than thirty years, Solano County in partnership with the State of California and the Federal government has addressed the needs of low-income seniors and people with disabilities by providing them with assistance that allows them to remain in their homes through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program. IHSS enables families to keep their loved ones close in a familiar environment to maintain a higher quality of life and the home care providers who make this possible are dedicated and committed to serving their clients and the community with sensitivity, honest, patience, trust, and compassion.
Solano County has over 4,200 IHSS home care workers providing care for over 4,900 clients. As the senior population grows throughout Solano County, the demand for in-home care workers, both within the IHSS program and in private pay systems, will increase. The California Department of Finance projects the population over the age of 64 in Solano County will reach nearly 145,500 by the year 2020.
Without the assistance of IHSS home care workers, the cost of caring for a person in a facility outside the home could be more than $7,000 per month versus the average cost of $1,450 per month per client that the IHSS program costs locally. Solano County would like to recognize the outstanding work that home care workers provide to vulnerable members of our community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with the preparation of this agenda item are included in the Department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with the preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present this resolution. This is not recommended as it is an opportunity to recognize the dedication and commitment of IHSS home care workers.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with the following agencies and organizations on the preparation of this item: the IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee and the Independent Living Resource Center of Solano and Contra Costa Counties.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION