reminded
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers should complete the new provider enrollment process before the end of the year or lose eligibility for the program, according to California Department of Social Services Director, John Wagner.
Wagner says most providers have already completed background check requirements, and around 27,000 in-home supportive service workers still need to complete that process by the end of the year.
There are more than 400,000 providers, 380,000 of whom have completed the state requirements enacted in 2009. The requirements include fingerprinting, a criminal background check and taking part in a provider orientation.
The number of successful enrollments and re-enrollments increased significantly in recent months due to the action steps and outreach by CDSS, counties officials, Public Authorities, and provider organizations.
The IHSS program provides in-home care to more than 421,000 low-income seniors as well as blind or disabled adults or children who need assistance to remain in their homes. IHSS providers perform household tasks and provide personal care services based on an individual’s need, such as bathing, grooming, meal preparation, and feeding.
As of November 22, 2010, more than 27,000 working providers have not completed the re-enrollment process. The four requirements of the new provider enrollment process include: a new provider enrollment form with a declaration signed under penalty of perjury; a new provider form acknowledging their understanding of the IHSS program requirements; fingerprinting and a criminal background check; and participation in a program orientation.
The process, designed to ensure the integrity of the IHSS program and protect client safety, was put into action when the Legislature passed and Governor Schwarzenegger signed the 2009 Budget Act. All new IHSS provider applicants are required to complete all four requirements to be eligible to receive payment for services provided to IHSS recipients.
In addition, a new law, (Assembly Bill 1612) enacted as part of the budget process in 2010 expands the list of crimes for which providers may be disqualified from participating in the program. That new law means that starting on February 1, 2011, individuals convicted of specified felonies are not eligible in many cases from becoming care givers in the IHSS program.
IHSS providers needing to take steps to re-enroll in the program should contact their county IHSS program or public authority to learn more about how to re-enroll. A list of IHSS contacts by counties can be found at http://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/PG1785.htm.
For a complete list of major action items undertaken to date, please visit: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG16.htm.
For a breakdown of provider enrollment counts by county updated weekly, please visit: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/PG2196.htm.
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