CONSUMER CORNER
THE REGISTRY PROCESS FOR CONSUMERS
The Registry can be accessed by the consumer in three basic ways. First, the consumer can be referred to the Registry by their IHSS social worker, social service agency, or medical professional. Second, a family member or interested party can refer the consumer to the Registry. Third, the consumer can refer himself/herself to the Registry. To make referrals, call (866) 351-7722 and request a consumer intake.
Once the consumer is referred to the Registry, a
Registry Coordinator
will assess the consumer service needs. This involves both assessing the IHSS approved service hours on record and interviewing the consumer for their critical needs. Utilizing the computerized listing, a
Registry Coordinator
will help the consumer to identify available providers that will best fit their service needs. A written list of eligible providers will be sent to the consumer. As the employer, it is the sole responsibility of the consumer to select their providers and set up interviews with applicants. The Registry neither recommends nor assigns provider applicants to IHSS consumers; consumers must choose their own providers.
The
Registry Coordinator
is available for follow-up service to the consumer. These services can include:
- Helping the consumer understand the role of being an employer and its responsibilities
- Helping the consumer understand how to interview and hire providers
- Helping the consumer to develop provider schedules
- Helping the consumer to understand time sheets and the payroll process
- Developing a system for keeping track of provider's hours
- Helping to maintain a good relationships between consumers and providers
- Conducting provider oversite
USEFUL FOR INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS:
Hiring the right provider from your customized registry list.
Department
Of Justice (DOJ) criminal background checks for registry
providers.
Your rights and responsibilities as a consumer and employer.
Helpful hints once you have a provider.
A List of Transportation Resources for Consumers in the San Diego area.
STEPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT PROVIDER
STEP ONE – Making Phone Calls
- When you receive your list of possible providers (i.e., caregivers, or homemakers), call each one as soon as possible. If you wait too long before calling, the providers may have already found jobs. The provider’s names have been given to other consumers in need of providers.
- The purpose of the phone call is to determine which providers you want to interview.
- Some providers may be hard to reach by telephone. Please call more than once, and try to reach everyone on the list.
- Make sure you know how many hours you expect the provider to work per week before you call. Know what days and times you want a provider to work.
- Remember, it may help to have a flexible schedule.
Your IHSS social worker has determined the number of hours you can receive. Your hours authorized for payment are listed on your IHSS Notice of Action form. If you have questions regarding your hours call your IHSS social worker.
- In order to help the provider safely and properly meet your needs, you are encouraged to tell the provider as much as possible about your condition or disability.
Suggested topics for your first telephone conversation:
- Location of Work Site
- Days / Hours Needed
- Need for a Car on the Job
- Provider Skills Needed
- Any Special Needs / Medical Condition
- Rate of Pay – Currently $9.25 per hour
STEP TWO- The Interview
- The purpose of the interview is to decide whom you want to hire. Carefully interview potential providers before you hire someone.
- Remember, as the employer you are responsible for screening, hiring, supervising, and if necessary, terminating the employment of the provider.
- You may want to invite a family member or friend to assist you with the interview.
Suggested topics for the interview or the first day of work:
- Illness/ Absences/ Holidays and Make-Up Time
- How You Handle Cancellations or Rescheduling
- Notification of Termination-How Much Notice Will You and Your Provider Give?
- Your Dietary Needs / Restrictions
- Your Language and / or Reading Needs
- Your Supervision Style / Procedures
- Safety Procedures Inside and Outside of the Home (Locking Doors, Lighting, etc)
- House Rules
- How Money for Shopping / Errands Will Be Handled
- Medications
- Emergency Procedures
- Record Keeping (Time Cards)
- Schedule for Provider’s Time
- What is to be Done, What Way, and How Often? (Include specific information regarding your condition or disability)
- Familiarize Provider with your Daily Routines, Hobbies, and Interest
- Information Regarding Others Living in Household
- Pets
- Allergies (yours and your provider’s)
When you have decided to hire someone, contact your IHSS social worker and let him or her know so that your provider can be paid. Also notify the Public Authority Registry that you have hired a provider so that we can update your status.
If you need further help with being an employer, please call the Registry at 1-866-351-7722.
Note any complaints or compliments you may have about providers from the list we provide you so that we may know about provider’s performance.
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1. This section has been removed
2.
What is Live Scan?
3. Do I have to pay for my criminal background check?
4.
What if I already did a background check?
5.
What if I was convicted of a crime in the past but served
the time, or paid restitution?
6.
If I am working for someone and I do not pass, and they
want to keep me as a provider, can they?
7.
If I don’t have my fingerprinting done, can I
still remain employed for the Consumer I am working
for?
8.
How often will I be required to submit my fingerprints
to
remain on the Provider Registry?
1. This section has been removed
2. What is Live Scan?
Live
Scan is the name of the technology that is used to scan
fingerprints, which are then sent
to the Department of Justice.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
3. Do I have to pay for my criminal background check?
No,
it is free.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
4. What if I already did a background check?
You will
still have to complete the Live Scan upon our request.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
5. What if I was convicted of a crime in the past but served
the time, or paid restitution?
If the
conviction shows up in DOJ records then you cannot be on
the Registry. If
you want more information about your record, contact
Record Review at DOJ, at: 1 916-227-3832
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
6. If I am working for someone and I
do not pass, and they want to keep me as a provider, can
they?
They
can keep you as an IP; you just won’t be able to
remain on the Provider Registry.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
7. If I don’t have my fingerprinting
done, can I still remain employed for the Consumer I am
working for?
If the
Consumer wants you to still work for them you can, however
you will not be able to remain on the Provider Registry.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
8. How often will I be required to submit my fingerprints to
remain on the Provider Registry?
As long
as you remain
active on the Provider Registry, you will not have to
submit your fingerprints again.
back
to DOJ FAQ questions
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CONSUMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Please take the time to discuss these rights and responsibilities with your provider so there is an understanding between you and the provider.
- You are the employer of the in-home care provider for the purposes of hiring the provider, directing the work in the home, and if necessary, firing the provider.
- You have the right to require additional screening, including a fingerprint criminal-background check.
- You are encouraged to notify the Registry when your provider is no longer employed by you.
- You direct the work in the home and are responsible for explaining to the provider how the tasks are to be done.
- If the provider is injured on the job, both you and the provider are responsible for notifying the IHSS social worker immediately.
- You should contact the Registry if you have problems that cannot be resolved with the provider.
- You are responsible for keeping your own record of the hours worked by the provider.
- By signing the provider’s time sheet at the end of each pay period, you are confirming that the provider is providing services.
- You have the right to ask your IHSS social worker for a reassessment of hours if your condition changes.
- You have the right to appeal any decisions by the IHSS Program that you do not agree with. Call your IHSS social provider if you need help.
- It is unlawful for you to refuse to hire a provider because of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
- You should not ask your provider to do work that is not authorized by your IHSS social worker or to work extra time unpaid.
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HELPFUL HINTS ONCE YOU FIND A PROVIDER
- Explain the task and hours authorized by your IHSS social worker.
- Explain to the provider her / his responsibilities.
- Plan a schedule of tasks for your provider and post it.
- Train your provider to meet your particular needs. Be sure the provider understands how you prefer to have the job done.
- Remember, clear communication is important and patience is needed.
- Set reasonable expectations about how long duties should take.
- Give the provider several days to learn the job.
- Keep your provider informed of any changes in dietary needs and restrictions.
- Remember, you are responsible for managing your hours. Keep track of your hours and sign provider time sheets. Remember, provider does not get paid for overtime.
- Establish emergency procedures with your provider so they know whom to contact if necessary.
- Evaluate your provider’s performance. Review your evaluation with your provider. Give your provider feedback, both good, and not so good. Be honest! Treat the provider with dignity and respect.
- You can terminate the provider for any reason. Whenever possible give the provider two weeks notice.
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TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS
Covering All of San Diego County
www.sandiego.networkofcare.org
www.sdcommute.com
www.informsandiego.org
www.sdcounty.ca.gov
www.sdrc.org
www.greyhound.com
www.amtrak.com
www.stridesd.org - This is an excellent site to locate personalized services throughout San Diego County. See list below for more...
County of San Diego Area
Volunteer-Driver / Private-Car based program
Rides
& Smiles – Jewish
Family Service of San Diego
• Marilyn
Greenblatt
• 619/391-0033
• marilyng@jfssd.org
ZIP TRIP – Heartland Human Relations & Fair Housing Association
• James Rosa
• 619/444-5700 (X310)
• james@HHRFHA.org
Out & About Encinitas – City of Encinitas
• Gail Dupler
• 760/943-2256
• gdupler@ca.encinitas.us
Out & About Peninsula
• Jean Durgan
• 619/223-1640
• pssc@K-Online.com
Del Mar Community Connections
• Christina Engelbreck
• 858/792-6612
• cardonicus@adelphia.net
Caring Neighbors – Lutheran Social Services
• Emily Gardiola; Kate Petersen, Assist Dir. (619/291-8725)
• 619/476-7055
• kpetersen@lsssc.org
Out & About Vista
• Mary Dreibelbis
• 760/726-1340 X1531
• mddreibelbis@ci.vista.ca.us
Seniors a GO GO
• Patty FOX
• 619/284-9281 X21
• pfox@elderhelpofsandiego.org
This list is a courtesy of Aging & Independence Services and www.stridesd.org
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