In-Home Supportive Services Program: provider shortage: grant-based outreach program.
This bill seeks not only to increase the number of available caregivers but also emphasizes the importance of culturally competent outreach practices that cater to immigrant communities. By facilitating education and outreach efforts through community-based agencies, the initiative aims to bridge existing gaps in understanding career opportunities within the IHSS program. Furthermore, the reporting requirements set forth in the bill intend to create accountability and measure the effectiveness of recruitment strategies targeted at enhancing the workforce in this critical care sector.
Assembly Bill 1387, introduced by Assembly Member Ting, aims to address the severe shortage of in-home supportive services (IHSS) providers in California. The bill mandates the State Department of Social Services to initiate a grant-based outreach program by March 2024, which is specifically designed to promote awareness and recruit immigrants to become IHSS providers. The initiative recognizes the expanding role of undocumented individuals in meeting the state's care services demands, particularly given previous expansions of Medi-Cal eligibility that allow undocumented populations to access vital health services.
However, the bill also acknowledges existing barriers to recruitment, particularly the restrictions preventing recipients of IHSS from hiring undocumented family members as providers. This has raised discussions around legislative intent to subsequently allow undocumented individuals to serve as caregivers for their relatives, potentially altering the landscape of care provisions under IHSS. The provisions eventually sunset on January 1, 2028, indicating a defined period for these initiatives to assess their success and further adapt state policies to meet workforce demands.