COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

August 24, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 25, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

Acting as the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority

FROM:

Charlene Silva, Director, Health Department
Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services

SUBJECT:

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Independent Provider Wage Increase

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority to approve a $1.00 per hour wage increase, from $10.50 to $11.50 per hour, for IHSS Independent Providers effective October 1, 2007 contingent on the State’s ability to process the wage increase by this date, and submission of the Resolution to the California Department of Social Services (DSS).

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people—the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others—achieve a better quality of life.

This wage increase contributes to this commitment and goal by providing services throughout the County designed to assist individuals with the greatest needs to

maintain their independence and dignity within the least restrictive setting possible.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2006-07
Actual

FY 2007-08
Projected

Percentage of consumers indicating their quality of living situation has improved as a result of services received through the Public Authority

93%

96%

BACKGROUND:

In September 1993 by ordinance of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, a Public Authority was established to administer the provider components of the IHSS program. The enabling ordinance designated the Board of Supervisors as the Governing Board of the Public Authority.

The IHSS Public Authority recently concluded negotiations with Service Employees International Union, Local 521 (SEIU) for IHSS Independent Provider services on August 31, 2007. As a part of the negotiations it was agreed that salaries for the Independent Providers would be increased by $1.00 per hour to $11.50 per hour if the State agreed to participate in the additional wage. The State has agreed to participate in a wage up to $11.50 per hour in the Adopted 2007-08 State budget.

DISCUSSION:

In order to approve this new wage, DSS is requiring certification from the County that the Board of Supervisors has approved the wage of $11.50 per hour plus associated payroll taxes and has approved submission of this new wage to the State. In addition DSS requires certification that the County is committed to paying the County’s share of the new wage based on the current sharing ratio, which includes State participation. Final approval of this wage increase from the State is pending the State’s receipt of the required resolution. The effective date of the wage increase is contingent on the State’s timeframe in processing this required documentation.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The increase of $1.00 per hour plus approximately $.10 per hour in payroll taxes for nine months (October 2007 through June 2008 contingent on the State’s processing of this documentation) will cost an estimated $2,996,332. The County share of this cost is estimated to be $576,794 based on projected State and Federal reimbursement of 80.75% of this cost. The estimated County share is 19.25% of the total cost. The necessary funding and corresponding expenditures are included in the September Revision to the IHSS Public Authority tentatively Adopted FY 2007-08 Budget.