Highlights: In this Issue

Transcription

1 Highlights: In this Issue Another eventful year for the IHSS program and our Public Authority inside front cover The Importance of Joining an Advocacy Community p.2 Overtime Pay & New IHSS Requirements Blocked by the Court p.4 Accomplishments of the Public Authority p.5 Making Connections p.6 Expanded Services and Staff at Public Authority p.9 Public Authority Moving to First Floor of Eastmont p.9 Free Public Authority Training in 2015 p.16, 17 & 20 Espanol en las paginas 11, 15, 21 Tiếng Việt trang 13, 15 & Foothill Blvd, 3rd Floor Oakland, CA phone (510) fax (510)

2 Public Authority Team Back Row - left to right: Debra Howell, Cheryl Dunn, June Albor, Kathy Taylor, Brenda Munnell, Christian Scott, Dawn Watts, Charles Calavan, Jenny Zegarra Front Row - left to right: Artina Lim, Lynn Rivas, Rose Acampora, Christine Morgan; Missing: Darlene Benson-Jackson Management Charles Calavan, Executive Director Charles Calavan Executive Director Christine Morgan Operations Manager Rose Acampora Program Manager Lynn Rivas Training & Outreach Coordinator Operations Cheryl Dunn Administrative Assistant Brenda Munnell Health Benefits Eligibility Assistant The Public Authority provides: IHSS Homecare Worker Referrals Education and Training IHSS Worker Benefits Enrollment Emergency IHSS Worker Replacement Advocacy opportunities For more information, go to On the front cover: One of the many advocacy events held during the administration of Governor Schwarzenegger, protesting proposed cuts to the IHSS program. This one was held in San Francisco, where IHSS consumers and other advocates lay as dead to represent the harm that would result from cutting IHSS hours. Another eventful year for the IHSS program and our Public Authority By Charles Calavan, Executive Director IHSS Changes & Overtime Pay Blocked by Court, No Managed Care pilot in Alameda County, and my Retirement In the Fall of 2014, the State announced that it would be implementing new IHSS timesheets and new rules, paying for travel time between jobs and for waiting time during a recipient s medical appointments; paying time-and-a-half overtime pay for hours over 40 a week; and setting a 61/66 hour weekly limit on hours a provider could work. These changes were necessary to comply with a change in federal rules that gave overtime rights to homecare workers. But, on December 31, 2014, one day before these major changes to the IHSS program were to take effect, the State announced that the changes were on hold due to a Washington D.C. court ruling stopping the overtime pay requirement. That ruling has been appealed and, in a year or more, the US Supreme Court could reverse the decision, and the overtime pay and the other proposed changes could be implemented in California. But, as usual, nothing is simple in California. The Governor originally proposed to limit IHSS providers to working a maximum of 40 hours a week in order to avoid paying any overtime. Advocates objected to this proposal and eventually the Legislature agreed to make the limit 61 hours a week. The California Department of Social Services started planning the many complex changes to IHSS requirements and forms and timesheets required to implement the overtime pay. Counties, public authorities and other Advocates worked with CDSS, with some success, to make these new rules and forms as simple and as understandable as possible. And now all the changes have been stopped. For more details, see the story on the New IHSS Requirements on page 4. Other major IHSS-related events in Alameda County included: A bargaining agreement with SEIU-ULTCW to increase the IHSS provider wage to $12.50 per hour effective November 1, 2014, which made it the highest IHSS wage in California (until a higher wage in another county just went into effect). The State s decision, due to fiscal problems at the Alameda Alliance, to not go forward in Alameda County with the CCI pilot which would have required enrollment by those with both Medicare and Medi-Cal into a managed care health plan in order to receive IHSS and other long-term-care services. Since the Managed Care pilot was linked to the transfer of bargaining from the County to Sacramento, it means that the Public Authority will continue its role as the employer that bargains with the IHSS workforce. And finally, I will be leaving the Public Authority by June 2015, after being executive director for nearly 14 years. It has been a privilege to serve in this position and I thank all those with whom I have worked for their efforts and commitment and support: my staff, advisory board members, County staff, public authority directors in the other counties. SEIU-ULTCW, the Board of Supervisors, our disability community, community advocates and agencies, and many others. We should all be proud of what we have accomplished in Alameda County, and our unwavering dedication to the principles of consumer-directed services and the right of seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes with dignity and respect, and with the services they require. Registry Darlene Benson-Jackson Registry Administrative Specialist Dawn Watts Debra Howell Artina Lim Kathy Taylor Christian Scott Jenny Zegarra June Albor 1

3 PA Advisory Board Back Row - left to right: Nani Lofstrom, Kevin Shields, Taiis Collins, Sandra Johnson-Simon Middle Row - left to right: Brian Larson, Michelle Rousey, Owen Kent; Front Row - left to right: Ursula Blau, Chen Lee Manns Missing: Jim Gonsalves Advisory Board Michelle Rousey, Public Authority Advisory Board (PAAB) Chair Michelle Rousey Consumer Under 60, Chair Kevin Shields Disability Advocate, Vice Chair Taiis Collins Non-family Provider, Secretary Sandra Johnson-Simon Senior Advocate Jim Gonsalves Consumer Over 60 Nani Lofstrom Specialist with Expertise in Rehabilitation Services Ursula Blau Consumer Over 60 Brian Larson Consumer Under 60 Owen Kent Consumer Under 60 Chen Lee Manns Family Provider Join Us Today! We are seeking IHSS consumers to join the Public Authority Advisory Board. Call The Importance of Joining an Advocacy Community Thinking about getting involved and speaking out for the first time? Start with issues that impact you directly. However, if you define your interests so narrowly that you can t join with others, then you will not have much influence. One advantage of connecting with a group is that groups are often well positioned to help you make an impact. They can provide examples, mentoring, opportunities, encouragement and support. Join an organization that is addressing the issues that affect you and that you feel passionate about. At the Public Authority of Alameda County we focus on issues that impact IHSS consumers and their providers. Don t let your lack of experience discourage you from jumping in. That s how we all start. The first time I spoke at a public meeting I had butterflies and could hardly speak. Every word was planned out, often I would tear up; sometimes I still do. At first I saw crying at hearings as a weakness, now I see it as a strength. People listen a little more closely, they instantly understand how strongly I feel about the issue. At the advisory board we work as a team. We learn from each other; we each have our own strengths. We go up to Sacramento with a plan. At hearings, one of us will make one point, the next person will make another, the next person another, and so on until we have covered all the points we wanted to make. See ADVOCACY on page 11 Ten-Year IHSS provider and Public Authority Board Member, Taiis Collins, Reflects on Public Speaking and Growing as an Advocate In April of 2014, several Public Authority Board members traveled to Sacramento to attend the Budget Hearings held by the Legislature. These hearings were an important opportunity to let legislators know about the impact of the major changes to the IHSS program proposed by the Governor. Two of the most significant were the Overtime proposal that would limit the number of hours an IHSS provider could work, and a proposal to restore the 7% cut in IHSS hours. Taiis went to Sacramento since I wanted to be more of an advocate for consumers and providers. I wanted to be more informed. However, she had not made a commitment to speak. It was a large auditorium with a large crowd and Taiis was nervous, I knew I had something to say about the effect the change were having on me personally and the impact they were having on the consumer I support and other consumers I know. Taiis reports that listening to the others testify made me feel that I needed to get up and state something about my experience and just share, even if it was something very small and hope that it would touch somebody s heart on the committee and give them that feeling of urgency and sincerity from my heart to their heart. And maybe something I would say would make them feel empathy and compassion for us. Fighting the Governor s proposed changes and the effort almost every year to cut services continues to be a major goal. However, Taiis feels good about her public speaking and thinks it will be easier in the future. I m still nervous, I m trying to become comfortable with it. I m also working on the way I express myself. I m working on using the right words so that I don t offend anyone but where I can still be very stern about what it is I believe and how I feel about the situation. In addition to fighting efforts to cut services, Taiis is committed to fighting for the right of homecare workers to have dignity and to not have to put up with being demeaned or abused. She is also concerned that the IHSS program is increasingly geared towards a medical model and is turning away from the social model and the focus on consumer rights and consumer-directed services upon which it was built. 2 3

4 Public Authority Another protest of proposed cuts to IHSS during the Schwarzenegger administration. Public Authority Sheela Gunn-Cushman presented Michelle Rousey with the Jack Campbell Advocacy Award at Disability Capitol Action Day in May Overtime Pay & New IHSS Rules Blocked by Court On January 14, 2015, the State confirmed that the new Overtime and travel time and other new requirements described below would not be implemented effective January 1, During February 2015, the State was sending out a notice to all IHSS providers and recipients confirming these planned changes will not happen. The Federal Department of Labor has filed an appeal, which could go all the way to the US Supreme Court, but no decision is expected for over a year. Because these changes could be implemented later, we are including a summary of the new IHSS rules that as of January 1, 2015 were blocked. Even if these rules are implemented someday, they might be changed and there would be different deadlines. NOTE: Consumers who submitted the new forms in December 2014 or January 2015 changing their workers hours or hiring new providers and who want to go back to their prior arrangement, must submit new enrollment forms to IHSS changing their workers or changing their workers hours. To rehire a worker, submit the full IHSS enrollment packet. To change the number of hours assigned to a worker(s), submit form SOC 838, IHSS Recipient Request for Assignment of Authorized Hours to Providers, for each provider. To terminate a worker, submit form 70-19, Provider Leave or Discontinuance, which is a local Alameda County SSA form. The IHSS Changes That Have Been Blocked by Court Below is a summary of the IHSS changes that were scheduled to be implemented January 1, 2015 and are now blocked. Trainings in Alameda County on the new Overtime rules and Timesheets scheduled through early March were canceled. If the court ruling to block the changes is overturned, California would implement the new requirements. At that time, notices should be sent to all providers and consumers and trainings on the new forms and rules might be scheduled. These trainings were posted on the County website, at alamedasocialservices.org/public/ services/elderly_and_disabled_adults Once there, click on IHSS. These are the new rules and requirements which the State WAS planning to implement: The following new forms were to be submitted to the IHSS department at Eastmont by December 15, 2014: See BLOCKED on page 18 Accomplishments of the Public Authority During our most recent Report to the Board of Supervisors, we shared this list of achievements and thought it might be of interest to the readers of this newsletter. We can be proud of what we have accomplished and find inspiration to renew our commitment to future achievements benefiting the IHSS community. 1. IHSS wage increased from $5.00 in 1997 to $12.50 on November 1, 2014, which at the time was the highest IHSS wage in California. 2. In 1999, established Rapid Response, the Emergency IHSS Worker Replacement Service in Oakland. 3. In 2000, eligible IHSS providers received a medical plan provided by Alameda Alliance and later dental and vision benefits were added. 4. In 2002, made Rapid Response available throughout the County, while reducing the total annual cost to $80,000 from $200,000 cost of serving only residents of Oakland. 5. Since 2003, successfully advocated for the following improvements to the operation of the IHSS program in Alameda County: Adding IHSS staff that reduced the eligibility determination backlog from six to two months Installing automatic doors to make Eastmont more easily accessible Improving the flow and processing of paperwork by IHSS Payroll Re-configuring the AAMS lobby to respect visitors privacy and more efficiently serve them Making more IHSS forms and information available at the AAMS lobby and on the SSA website Ensuring non-english-speaking visitors are served in their primary language Changing the AAMS phone system to improve access and meet the needs of callers. Installing a TV in AAMS lobby to show training videos and announcements 6. Since 2003, have sent five newsletters to all IHSS households and since 2009 have sent out a semi-annual electronic newsletter to over 400 organizations and individuals. 7. The Alameda Public Authority has been recognized as the leading advocate among public authorities. And in collaboration with other advocates stopped the State from cutting the IHSS wage and eliminating funding for public authorities,. 8. In April 2004, in addition to its ongoing advocacy (e.g. testifying at Budget hearings, visiting legislators, talking with the media), the Alameda Public Authority held a Town Hall meeting in downtown Oakland to inform the community about State proposals to cut services. It was the biggest IHSS advocacy event anywhere in California, attended by over 450 community members; it received front page newspaper coverage and was the subject of TV news stories. It influenced legislators to not make the proposed cuts. See ACCOMPLISHMENTS on page

5 Public Authority Former Advisory Board member Blane Beckwith. Public Authority IHSS Providers at a Public Authority Training Want an IHSS Job? Need to Hire an IHSS Worker? The Public Authority Registry is a free service offered to IHSS consumers and providers. We help IHSS consumers find and hire screened homecare workers and we help IHSS providers find homecare jobs. Consumers Must: Have IHSS hours approved by your IHSS social worker Call the Registry and complete an intake over the phone Sign a Registry Consumer Use Agreement Homecare Workers Must: Call the Registry on the first business day of the month and request an application packet Complete and submit a Registry Interest Form, application, ID and Social Security Card Have 5 years of any type of work experience, does not need to be homecare work Provide 3 supervisor references Meet have a face to face interview with Registry staff and sign a Provider Understanding and Agreement Pass a criminal background check and attend a mandatory County orientation Here s a glance at what s new in early 2015: The Registry expanded to seven s; one current Coordinator speaks Cantonese and the two Coordinators speak Spanish; and we might add two more. With more Registry staff, we can make more home visits to help consumers who need some additional support hiring and supervising a homecare provider. s can assist with interviewing perspective caregivers and can educate both consumers and providers on expectations, roles/ responsibilities, authorized tasks and the limits of the IHSS program. Resources can be provided to assist consumers and providers with managing their working relationship. Consumers new to IHSS can learn ways to perform their role as supervisor and what is expected of them. Consumers may request a home visit by calling the Registry. At times, Registry Coordinators may offer to make a home visit to a consumer who has had a history of difficulty retaining and managing their caregivers. The Public Authority is planning to restore an After Hours Urgent Back-Up Worker service to refer replacement workers to IHSS consumers who have an urgent, unexpected need for personal care (such as bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding) or critical domestic services (such as cooking) that cannot wait until their regular IHSS provider is available. The replacement workers will have to be enrolled in the IHSS program and the hours they provide will be deducted from the consumer s other worker and from the consumer s total IHSS hours for the month. Providers with no IHSS payroll activity for 1-year may be ineligible to provide IHSS services and may be required to attend orientation and get fingerprinted again. Providers that have not be paid for IHSS services in 1-year can contact the county s payroll department at (510) and request the SOC 881 form which is a request to remain in active status. Providers listed on the Alameda County Home Care Registry can now update by submitting an Update Form. Providers can call the Registry to request Update Forms or download the form from the Public Authority s website. Consumers in need of Registry Services may call: Providers seeking an IHSS job or who need to do their monthly Registry update may call: Making Connetions IHSS consumers often struggle to access free or low cost food. Local sources are available including food pantries that work in conjunction with the Alameda County Food Bank. Picking up the food from a pantry is a big obstacle for some IHSS consumers. In the Fall of 2014 the Public Authority became part of a pilot food delivery project in conjunction with the Alameda County Food Bank and the Beta Pi Sigma Sorority (Beta Chapter) headed by Chapter President Michelle Brown. The Food Bank and a local pantry provide the food and the Sorority supplies volunteer drivers. These wonderful volunteers delivered over a hundred bags of food to homes in northern Alameda County in the last quarter of The Sorority delivers bags of food once a month and hopes to expand the program in Deliveries are by referral only. If you need food and can pick it up yourself, please call the Alameda County Community Food Bank helpline at to be referred to the nearest pantry. Where to get your Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Alameda Alliance administers the state-sponsored Medi-Cal insurance program for Medi-Cal recipients in Alameda County. Individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal through Alameda Alliance can get their Durable Medical Equipment from California Home Medical Equipment (CHME). When you need medical equipment or supplies, contact your doctor for a prescription and ask your doctor to include your diagnosis and the equipment or supplies you need. CHME supplies respiratory equipment, enteral feeding, manual and power wheelchairs, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, walkers, canes, gloves, diapers and other medical equipment. Here s their contact information: California Home Medical Equipment 289 Foster City Blvd Ste. A Foster City, CA Phone Number: (800) or (650) ; Fax: (650) info@chme.org 6 7

6 Profile on Donna Hernandez, a Registry provider Congratulations to Donna Hernandez, who won the provider survey raffle drawing of a Safeway gift card. She was one of 248 individuals who responded to a survey from the Registry. Ms. Hernandez has been a caregiver for over thirty years. She started out caring for family members and discovered that she loved the work so much that she became an IHSS provider. Ms. Hernandez loves helping seniors and disabled people and believes that it is her calling to make life a little bit better for others. She feels that she has been blessed with the ability to serve the community. Her most challenging consumer was an Afghani citizen who did not speak much English, but she made the relationship work. Ms. Hernandez said that establishing a one to one rapport with the consumer is the best feeling in the world. Message to IHSS Providers from SEIU- ULTCW, Your Union in Alameda County 2014 brought many victories to ULTCW members and long term care workers throughout the state. Because of the hard work and dedication of our ULTCW members, supporters and fellow caregivers, IHSS workers won the right to overtime, wait time and travel time, as well as wages that make Alameda County IHSS workers among the highest paid in the state. But even with such historic victories, our work is far from over. In January 2015 a court blocked our overtime and travel pay To join in the fight to win it back, call us at In 2015, ULTCW members will continue to fight to bring dignity to the lives of caregivers, recipients and all who call California home. In the year to come we ll work to protect our overtime, restore the previous 7% cut to IHSS hours, stand united to create a pathway to $15 an hour for all workers, bring true immigration reform to those who continue to live in the shadows, and support legislation that makes our seniors, people with disabilities and their caregivers a priority. The Oakland union office is at 333 Hegenberger Rd, Suite 400. We hold regular meetings around Alameda County. To find a meeting near you, call MY ULTCW ( ). Just as our incredible success in 2014 was because of the work of our members, so too will be the victories of If you ve not already signed on to be a member of ULTCW, we ask that you take a moment to call the Member Action Center at MY ULTCW to request your membership application. By doing so you re not only making an investment in your future as a caregiver, but also in the lives of those we provide care to. Because when we stand united as ULTCW members, anything is possible. Expanded Services and Staff at Public Authority During the last 13 years, the number of staff providing the Public Authority s mandated services (Registry, training, and health benefits) did not increase. We have actually gradually provided more services over the years, although three years ago we had to discontinue our afterhours emergency IHSS worker replacement service (Rapid Response) due to reduced funding by Alameda County. We are pleased to report that during 2015 the Public Authority will be restoring the afterhours worker replacement service, greatly expanding training, hiring additional staff to expand the Registry and provide more consultation by phone and through home visits to consumers having difficulty hiring or keeping their workers, translating more documents into languages other than English, and printing many more copies of our IHSS Handbook. This all is possible now due to support by the County for this expansion and because the State now will cover the cost of increasing the Public Authority s budget. Homecare Worker Certificate Training at San Leandro Adult School Public Authority Moving to First Floor of Eastmont Just a Heads Up : The Adult, Aging & Medi-Cal Services (AAMS) Department has announced a plan to move the Public Authority to the First Floor at Eastmont Town Center sometime between May and July AAMS and the Public Authority are both adding staff in 2015, so the Public Authority and some of the Adult Services units will move from their current location on the Third Floor to the First Floor at Eastmont where they will have additional space. We believe most of IHSS will remain on the Third Floor. At this time we do not know if there will be a change in the Public Authority s mailing address or phone numbers. Next Series of 8 clases starts March 3 rd. They are held on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 5:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Attend the first session in order to register. Free for IHSS providers Williams Street, San Leandro. Interested in future classes? Mail in the attached form to receive information about summer and fall classes. x8 9x

7 Attend Disability Capitol Action Day In Sacramento On May 20, 2015 Disability Capitol Action Day is an annual event which has drawn up to 5000 IHSS consumers, providers and advocates. It is held on the steps of the State Capitol building in Sacramento. It is both serious and fun. Legislators come to give speeches about their support for the IHSS program. Consumers and providers and advocates discuss budget proposal. There is often entertainment, sometimes marches or demonstrations in support of the IHSS program, and sometimes people are given awards to recognize their advocacy efforts. Many who attend go into the Capitol and visit legislators to share their concerns about proposed legislation and budget proposals. Assistance with transportation is usually available. For more information, go to the website or contact one of the independent living centers, CIL in Berkeley at , or CRIL in Hayward at A Great, Low Cost Health Plan For IHSS Providers For as little as $20 a month, eligible IHSS providers in Alameda County can get full medical, dental and vision coverage as a job benefit from the Public Authority. The medical services are provided through the Alameda Alliance for Health, the health plan established by Alameda County. The dental plan provider is Delta Dental. The vision plan provider is Eye-Med. To qualify, IHSS providers must be PAID in two consecutive months and for a total of at least 160 hours (an average of 80 per month) of IHSS work in Alameda County. To continue their coverage, providers must be PAID for at least 80 hours of IHSS work a month. Coverage is not automatic. Providers must submit a health benefits application to the Public Authority. For information or an application, call Information is also available on the Public Authority s website at Join Or Attend The Public Authority Advisory Board The Advisory Board of the Public Authority in Alameda County has long been recognized as one of the most active, influential, and well-informed in California. In 2015, we are encouraging IHSS consumers in Alameda County to apply to join the Advisory Board, which provides recommendations to improve the services of the IHSS program and the Public Authority and engages in advocacy and outreach. Four positions for IHSS consumers will be available. This is your opportunity to influence how IHSS and PA services are provided. For more information about the Advisory Board or to request an application, call or go to the PA s website at to learn more about the Public Authority Board and services. El Estado Suspendió La Implementación De Nuevas Reglas De IHSS Y El Pago De Horas Extra El 31 de diciembre, el Estado de California anunció que quedaban en suspenso todas las nuevas reglas de IHSS, incluyendo los límites de trabajo semanal y el pago de horas extras que iban a entrar en vigencia el 1 de enero de A continuación se incluye un resumen de las nuevas reglas de IHSS que fueron suspendidas. Para el momento en que usted lea este boletín, el tribunal podría haber revertido su fallo y el Estado podría haber anunciado la implementación de las nuevas reglas en algún momento, tal vez con nuevas fechas límite y otros cambios. Los cursos de capacitación programados para principios de marzo en el Condado de Alameda sobre las nuevas reglas relacionadas con las horas extra y las hojas de horas trabajadas fueron cancelados pero, EN CASO DE QUE el Estado decida implementar las nuevas reglas, consulte el siguiente sitio web del Condado para comprobar si los cursos de capacitación se han reprogramado: alamedasocialservices.org/public/services/elderly_and_disabled_adults, y luego haga clic en IHSS. A continuación se incluyen las principales reglas y requisitos nuevos que el Estado PLANEABA implementar: Los siguientes formularios nuevos debían ser presentados en el departamento de IHSS en Eastmont: El formulario TEMP 300 debía ser completado por todos los beneficiarios de IHSS; el formulario SOC 2256 solo era obligatorio para los beneficiarios que emplearan a más de un proveedor. El formulario SOC 846 debía ser completado por todos los proveedores de IHSS, en tanto que el formulario SOC 2257 era obligatorio para todos los proveedores que trabajaran para más de un beneficiario. Si el formulario SOC 846 no era presentado a más tardar el 1 de marzo de 2015, el proveedor sería suspendido del programa de IHSS a partir del 1 de abril de El Estado planeaba enviar a cada proveedor un formulario que especificaba cuántas horas podían trabajarse cada semana laboral (de domingo a sábado a medianoche). El pago de horas extra, entre 40 y 61 horas por semana, iba a efectuarse a $18.75 por hora. Casi todos los proveedores iban a estar limitados a trabajar un máximo See Implementación on page 15 Cursos de capacitación gratuitos de la Autoridad Pública en 2015 Solicite un folleto gratuito con respuestas a muchas preguntas sobre IHSS, incluyendo las expectativas para los beneficiarios y los beneficios de trabajo para los trabajadores de IHSS. Disponible en inglés, español y chino en la Autoridad Pública. Acceda al folleto por Internet en o marque la casilla en la hoja para devolución incluida en este boletín y se lo enviaremos directamente por correo. Advocacy continued from page 2 What we do at the Public Authority matters and it feels great to make an impact on the decision makers both here and in Sacramento. Over the years we have had many victories. Some struggles take a multi-year effort and this year will be especially important as we continue to fight to roll back the 7% cuts to the IHSS program. We will also need to educate the new faces in Sacramento who will need to be introduced to the IHSS program, as well as, lobbied to restore the cuts. I invite you to come to our next board meeting. Find out what s going on and how you can get involved. We can use everyone s help, whether it s to make calls, write letters, or apply for a volunteer position on the board. Our seniors and people with disabilities deserve to have their services fully funded. And that hasn t happened in a very long time. ~ Thank You 10 11

8 Tiểu Bang Ngừng Áp Dụng Các Quy Định Mới & Trả Lương Ngoài Giờ Cho Chương Trình IHSS Vào ngày 31 tháng Mười Hai, Tiểu Bang California thông báo rằng tất cả các quy định của Chương Trình IHSS bao gồm giới hạn tuần làm việc và trả lương ngoài giờ đã có hiệu lực từ ngày 1 tháng Giêng, 2015 đã bị đình chỉ. Dưới đây là tổng hợp các quy định IHSS bị ngưng lại. Đến khi quý vị đọc bản tin này, tòa án có thể đã thay đổi quyết định của tòa và Tiểu Bang có thể đã thông báo rằng các quy định mới sẽ được áp dụng vào một thời điểm nào đó, có thể có các thời hạn mới và các thay đổi khác. Các chương trình đào tạo tại Quận Alameda về các quy định Ngoài Giờ và Bảng Chấm Công mới được lên lịch qua đầu tháng Ba đã bị hủy bỏ, tuy nhiên NẾU như Tiểu Bang quyết định áp dụng các quy định mới này, xin vui lòng kiểm tra trang mạng sau đây của Quận để biết liệu các chương trình đào tạo có được lên lịch lại hay không: alamedasocialservices.org/public/services/elderly_ and_disabled_adults, và sau đó nhấp vào IHSS. Dưới đây là các quy định và các yêu cầu chính yếu mới mà Tiểu Bang ĐÃ dự định áp dụng: Các mẫu đơn mới sau đây dự định được nộp cho văn phòng IHSS tại Eastmont: Mẫu TEMP 300 được yêu cầu đối với tất cả các người nhận dịch vụ IHSS; Mẫu SOC 2256 chỉ yêu cầu đối với các người nhận IHSS có nhiều hơn một người cung cấp dịch vụ. Mẫu SOC 846 yêu cầu đối với tất cả người cung cấp dịch vụ cho IHSS; SOC 2257 yêu cầu đối với tất cả người cung cấp dịch vụ làm việc cho nhiều hơn một người nhận dịch vụ. Nếu không nộp mẫu SOC 846 trước ngày 1 tháng Ba, 2015, người cung cấp dịch vụ sẽ bị đình chỉ khỏi chương trình IHSS có hiệu lực vào ngày 1 tháng Tư, Tiểu Bang dự định sẽ gửi cho mỗi người cung cấp dịch vụ một mẫu đơn ghi cụ thể số giờ có thể làm việc trong mỗi tuần (từ Chủ Nhật cho tới nửa đêm ngày thứ Bảy). Trả lương ngoài giờ cho 40 tới 61 giờ mỗi tuần làm việc đáng lẽ phải là $18.75 một giờ. Hầu hết người cung cấp dịch vụ được giới hạn làm việc nhiều nhất là 61 giờ và có thể yêu cầu tới 7 giờ cho việc di chuyển giữa các công việc IHSS cho mỗi tuần làm việc. Tiếp theo phần ÁP DỤNG tại trang Chương Trình Đào Tạo về Cơ Quan và Dịch Vụ của Public Authority Miễn Phí trong năm 2015 Hiện tại chỉ có Chương Trình Đào Tạo Public Authority bằng tiếng Anh, Tiếng Tây Ban Nha và tiếng Quảng Đông. Tuy nhiên, thỉnh thoảng chúng tôi có chương trình đào tạo bằng tiếng Việt. Nếu quý vị muốn tham dự lớp học có thông dịch tiếng Việt, xin vui lòng đánh dấu vào ô trong tờ thông tin nộp lại của bản tin này, chúng tôi sẽ liên lạc với quý vị. Yêu cầu sổ tay miễn phí, trong đó trả lời nhiều câu hỏi về IHSS, kể cả các kỳ vọng của các người nhận dịch vụ và các phúc lợi liên quan đến công việc dành cho người cung cấp dịch của IHSS. Có từ Public Authority bằng tiếng Anh, Tây Ban Nha và tiếng Quan Thoại. Quý vị có thể truy cập trực tuyến tại www. ac-pa4ihss.org hoặc đánh đấu trong tờ thông tin nộp lại của bản tin này và chúng tôi sẽ gửi sổ tay trực tiếp đến cho quý vị. Nếu quý vị cần thực phẩm miễn phí, xin vui lòng liên lạc đường dây nóng của Ngân Hàng Thực Phẩm Cộng Đồng Quận Alameda (Alameda County Community Food Bank) tại số hoặc , hoặc truy cập Các thông tin bổ sung trong bản tin này: dự định về hưu của giám đốc cơ quan Public Authority vào tháng Sáu, 2015; một thành viên của Ban Cố Vấn trở thành người biện hộ; chuyển văn phòng Public Authority đến Lầu Một tại Eastmont vào tháng 7, 2015; Tiếp theo phần ĐÀO TẠO tại trang 18 13

9 14 Continued Articles IMPLEMENTACIÓN continued from page 11 de 61 horas y a reclamar hasta 7 horas de tiempo de viaje entre trabajos de IHSS cada semana. El trabajador social de IHSS del beneficiario tendría que obtener aprobación para el cambio de horas de trabajo de una semana a otra si ello diera lugar a un pago de horas extra (o a un pago adicional de horas extra). A partir del 1 de abril de 2015, todo proveedor que presentara una hoja de horas trabajadas que excediera el límite de 61 (o 66) horas o el de 7 horas de tiempo de viaje por semana, o que omitiera obtener la aprobación para los cambios en las horas de trabajo que dieran lugar a horas extra, hubiera incurrido en una violación. Luego de la tercera violación, el proveedor sería suspendido del programa de IHSS durante 3 meses. Una cuarta violación daría lugar a la suspensión por 12 meses. ÁP DỤNG tiếp theo từ trang 13 Nhân viên xã hội phụ trách hồ sơ IHSS của người nhận dịch vụ sẽ là người chấp thuận việc thay đổi giờ làm việc từ tuần này qua tuần khác nếu thay đổi giờ dẫn đến phải trả lương ngoài giờ (hoặc phải trả thêm lương ngoài giờ). Bắt đầu từ ngày 1 tháng Tư, 2015, nếu như người cung cấp dịch vụ gửi bảng chấm công vượt quá 61 (hoặc 66) giờ cho một tuần làm việc hoặc 7 giờ cho việc di chuyển trong tuần làm việc, hoặc không xin chấp thuận thay đổi giờ làm việc dẫn đến làm ngoài giờ, họ sẽ phải chịu phạt. Nếu vi phạm lần thứ ba, người cung cấp dịch vụ sẽ bị đình chỉ khỏi chương trình IHSS trong 3 tháng. Nếu vi phạm lần thứ tư sẽ bị đình chỉ 12 tháng. Important Phone Numbers CLIP AND SAVE! Public Authority for IHSS Main Number (510) Registry Consumer Line (510) Registry Provider Line (510) Training Program (510) Provider Health Benefits Eligibility (510) Public Authority Fax (510) IHSS/County Numbers Area Agency on Aging, Alameda County (510) IHSS Intake (Applying for IHSS) (510) IHSS Payroll (Timesheets and paychecks) (510) On-the-Job Injuries: Report to IHSS Payroll (510) Alameda County Social Services (Medi-Cal, Cash Grants, Cal Works, etc) 1(888) Fraud (510) Direct Deposit Information 1(866) Emergency Numbers Emergency Response Adult Protective Services 1(866) Numbers for IHSS Homecare Workers Alameda Alliance for Health (510) Delta Dental PPO 1(800) Delta Care USA (HMO) 1(800) EyeMed Vision Benefits 1(866) SEIU LTCW (Worker Union) 1(877) EDD for Unemployment 1(800) Workers Compensation Insurance 1(866) Labor Commission (510)

10 Free Public Authority Training in 2015 Sign up, return checklist on pages 20 & 21 Consumer Training IHSS Consumer Phone Discussion Group a 6-week phone series Want to discuss with other IHSS consumers how to find, train and keep good homecare workers? Join the next six-week session of Your Homecare Worker and You: Navigating your Relationship. Thursdays, March 12 th April 16 th from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. A simple toll-free phone call will let you join the discussion. To sign up, call Kathy Taylor or Debra Howell and register by March 9 th : (510) Telephone service for discussions is provided by Senior Center without Walls, an outreach program of Episcopal Senior Communities. Training for Consumers and Providers Making Connections: Information & Community a monthly series Join a social/educational gathering of consumers and providers to hear and discuss brief presentations on topics of interest. We meet on the 4 th Wednesday of every month from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Big Sur Room in the IHSS offices of Eastmont; 6955 Foothill Blvd, 3 rd Floor, Oakland. No registration is necessary. YOU MUST CALL LYNN RIVAS AT AND REGISTER TO ATTEND THE FOLLOWING TRAININGS: Buried in Treasures Workshop a 15-week Facilitated Self-Help Group This series is designed for individuals who need help getting motivated to de-clutter. We meet 15 times over 20 weeks. Each week we introduce a new skill from the book Buried in Treasures, or discuss a topic that is important and interesting to the group. We ll also check-in with our individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals. This is not a therapy group rather an actionoriented, self-help group facilitated by non-therapists. This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life. The group meets Fridays at 2:00 pm beginning in April at Eastmont; 6955 Foothill Blvd, 3rd Floor, Oakland. The Internet and Your Health a 2-hour workshop If you know where and how to look, you can find on the internet useful information on medical conditions, medications, healthy living, and much more. In this class for consumers and providers, you will learn how to do an effective web search and how to distinguish between reliable and unreliable web sites. Training for Providers CPR/First Aid a 6-hour workshop This is a workshop with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Discover what to do in a cardiac, breathing, or first aid emergency. Learn CPR, choking rescue, rescue breathing, First Aid, treating injuries, and caring for shock and bleeding. Red Cross Adult CPR certificate provided upon completion. Memory, Mental Illness and the Brain a 3-hour workshop In this class you will learn to recognize the various forms and warning signs of Dementia, including some that are reversible. You will also learn about different types of Mental Illness and how to provide positive supports to both populations. We will also discuss how to take care of your own brain s health. Current IHSS providers receive a $20 gift card for successfully completing this class. IHSS Homecare Worker Basics a 6-hour workshop Homecare workers need to think about their own well-being, not just those for whom they provide care. In this class, you will learn how to keep yourself safe on the job, using a guide to health and safety created just for IHSS homecare workers. You will also get a copy of the Public Authority s IHSS Handbook which covers how IHSS works, approved job tasks, how to resolve problems and get answers to your questions, worker benefits, mandatory abuse reporting responsibilities, how to find jobs, communication tips disability etiquette and laws related to people with disabilities. You will be inspired by the accomplishments of the disability rights movement! Current IHSS providers receive a $50 gift card for successfully completing the class. Supporting People Who Clutter, Hoard, or Compulsively Acquire a 3-hour workshop Do you work for someone whose clutter interferes with daily activities of living or their ability to use spaces in their home for their intended use? If so, this class is for you. Learn about hoarding and cluttering issues, effective harm reduction techniques, and tools for supporting people who are dealing with clutter issues. Current IHSS providers will receive a $20 gift card for attending the class. Talking About End-of-Life Care a 3-hour workshop Are you caring for someone who is facing a serious or terminal illness? Have you spoken with them about their end of life wishes? It is never easy to discuss or deal with death, but not talking about it does not make it easier. Not having a plan can make matters more difficult when someone you care for dies. This three-hour class will give you the confidence to talk with the person you care for and encourage them to consider, communicate, and document their end of life wishes, whatever those may be. Current IHSS providers will receive a $20 gift card for attending the class. Body Mechanics & Transfer a 3-hour workshop Homecare workers often assist IHSS recipients with transfers from sit to stand, on and off the toilet, in and out of bed and from one sitting surface to another. As a result, they are at risk of injury if incorrect techniques are used. In this class, homecare workers will learn the fundamentals of body mechanics and learn how to prevent self-injury and injury to the consumer. Current IHSS providers will receive a $20 gift card for attending the class. All about Diabetes a 3 hour workshop This course will help you learn about diabetes and how it can affect a person s overall health. You will learn what happens when the body does not produce enough insulin to convert sugar and starches into energy. You will also learn how to support a person who has diabetes; specifics on diet, exercise and medication. Current IHSS providers will receive a $20 gift card for attending the class. Certificate Training with Community Education Partners Homecare Worker Certificate Training (San Leandro Adult School & Other Community Partners) a 24-hour course Don t miss this opportunity to improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence as a homecare worker. Instruction will cover exploring the basics of aging and disabilities; independent living philosophy; assisting with medications and nutrition; maintaining good hygiene and personal care skills; building and keeping good relationships; practicing health and safety on the job; and working with assistive technology and durable medical equipment. The next series of 8 classes starts March 3 rd and meets on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 5:45-8:45 pm. Free for IHSS providers. You can register at the first class March 3. For more information go to: Location: 1448 Williams Street, San Leandro. Homecare Worker Advanced Homecare Worker Certificate Training a 100-hour course This course is a wonderful opportunity to improve your skills as a caregiver and increase your opportunities for employment. Qualified students can earn a spot on the Public Authority Registry. In addition to superior classroom instruction, students will also work on computers and benefit from the interactive, web-based curriculum created by the Center for Personal Assistance Services at UCSF. How might this class help place you on the Registry? Students with excellent attendance and the instructor s recommendation can join the Registry without the usual requirement to have experience in homecare and the instructor can serve as one of the three required employment references. Students must have a working address in order to be accepted into the course

11 Continued Articles Blocked continued from page 4 TEMP 300 required from all IHSS recipients; SOC 2256 required only from recipients who employ more than one provider. SOC 846 required from all IHSS providers; SOC 2257 required from all providers who work for more than one recipient. If the SOC 846 was not submitted by March 1, 2015, the provider was to be suspended from the IHSS program effective April 1, The State planned to send each provider a form specifying how many hours can be worked each workweek (Sunday thru Saturday midnight). Pay for overtime between 40 and 61 hours workweek) was to be at time-and-a half, $18.75 per hour in Alameda County. Almost all providers were to be limited to working a maximum of 61 hours and claiming up to 7 hours of travel time between IHSS jobs each workweek. The recipient s IHSS social worker would have to approve shifting hours from one week to another if the change would results in overtime pay (or additional overtime pay). Starting April 1, 2015, if a provider submitted a timesheet exceeding the 61 (or 66) workweek or the 7 hour workweek travel limit, or failed to get approval to shift hours resulting in overtime, they were to receive a violation. The third violation would result in the provider being suspended from the IHSS program for 3 months. A fourth violation would results in suspension for 12 months. Accomplishments continued from page 5 9. In June 2004, the Public Authority director, on behalf of staff and the Advisory Board, accepted the Betty Hamilton Outstanding Advocacy Award from the Alameda Developmental Disabilities Council. 10. The Public Authority has provided free CPR/ First Aid classes and thousands of hours of training on various homecare topics and support groups and informational materials to IHSS providers and consumers. 11. From 2006 through 2010, collaborated with NIOSH and implemented an innovative, grant-funded pilot to educate providers and consumers and resulted in a significant reduction in accidents and injuries in the home. 12. Increased the percentage of phone calls answered live by Public Authority staff from less than 33% prior to 2010 to well over 75% currently. ĐÀO TẠO tiếp theo từ trang 13 tăng thêm dịch vụ của Public Authority bằng cách bổ sung thêm nhân viên Ghi Danh để có thể tư vấn thêm cho các người cung cấp dịch vụ và người nhận dịch vụ IHSS; và những người nhận Medi-Cal có thể nhận Thiết Bị Y tế Lâu Dài (Durable Medical Equipment) bằng cách liên lạc: California Home Medical Equipment, 289 Foster City Blvd Ste. A, Foster City, CA 94404; Số Điện Thoại (800) hoặc (650) ; Fax (650) ; Điện Thư info@chme.org Nếu quý vị cần người giải thích bất kỳ thông tin nào trong bản tin này bằng ngôn ngữ mẹ đẻ của quý vị, xin vui lòng gọi , sau đó bấm phím 1, và để lại lời nhắn bằng Tiếng Anh kèm số điện thoại, ngôn ngữ mẹ đẻ của quý vị, và thông dịch viên của chúng tôi sẽ gọi lại cho quý vị. Your Homecare Worker & You: Navigating Your Relationship This group is for anyone who employs a homecare worker. Join us for ideas, information and support. Thursday, March 12 th - April 16 th 11am - 12 Noon. Call Kathy Taylor or Debra Howell to register by March 9 th at (510) Phone-in discussion group with Valuable Information for Seniors and People with Disabilities. Making the Connections: Information & Community 4 th Wednesday of every month 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. No Registration Necessary Consumers & Providers Coffee & Conversation Discussion & Sharing Information Presentation Topics Selected by the Participants The Big Sur Room in the IHSS offices at Eastmont Foothill Blvd, 3rd Floor, Oakland Got Stuff? A Faciliated Self-Help Group for Consumers Need some support to help you get motivated to declutter? New Buried in Treasures workshop starts Friday afternoons in April. To Register Call (510) We meet 15 times over 20 weeks. Each week we introduce as new skill from the book Buried in Treasures, or discuss a topic that is important and interesting to the group. We ll also check-in with our individual progress, challenges, sucesses and goals. This is not a therapy groups - rather an action - oriented self-help group facilitated by non-therapists. This group offers a judgement-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life. Free Handbook on IHSS?! Alameda County In-Home Supportive Services Handbook IHSS Providers This free handbook will answer many of your questions about IHSS rules and expectations. It will explain who to call if you are injured on the job. It will give you the number to call to get the application for health benefits: You will also find out that if you are paid at least 80 hours a month, you may be eligible for full health benefits, which include medical, dental and vision coverage. And much, much more. IHSS Consumers This free handbook explains many IHSS rules. It will give you the basics about hiring a new worker and what your responsibilities are as an IHSS consumer. It lists resources and important phone numbers. You can find all of this information and so much more in the IHSS Handbook. Handbooks are available from the Public Authority n English, Spanish and Chinese. Access it on line at or check the box on the return sheet and we will mail it to you directly. 18 x 19