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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02112014 - C.60RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority Advisory Committee Annual Report for the period December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013, as submitted by the IHSS Public Authority Director. FISCAL IMPACT: None BACKGROUND: On June 18, 2002, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors accepted Resolution No. 2002/377 requesting each regular ongoing board, commission, and/or committee shall annually report to the Board of Supervisors on its activities, accomplishments, membership, attendance, required training and certification programs, and proposed work activities for the following year, The requirement is addressed by the In-Hone Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee in the attached report. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Not applicable. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Not applicable. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 02/11/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Jan Watson, 363-6671 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: February 11, 2014 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Stephanie L. Mello, Deputy cc: C. 60 To:Board of Supervisors From:Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director Date:February 11, 2014 Contra Costa County Subject:In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee Report ATTACHMENTS IHSS PA Advisory Report Annual Report to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Name:Contra Costa County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee Meeting:1:00 to 4:00 on the third Tuesday of every month (except August & December) 500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill Chair:Sarah Birdwell Staff: Jan Watson, Executive Director Elizabeth Dondi, Program Manager Beatriz Salgado, Secretary – Advanced Level Report Period: December 2012 – November 2013 Prepared by: Sarah Birdwell, Chair Jan Watson, Executive Director Elizabeth Dondi, Program Manager I. ACTIVITIES Provider and Consumer Training Through recommendations from the Health, Safety and Education Sub-Committee, consumer and provider educational and training sessions were conducted by Public Authority Registry/Training Specialists or outside speakers throughout the year. A third Registry/Training Specialist received certification and can now teach CPR/First Aid and a class on Alzheimer’s disease. Topics presented included: Alzheimer’s disease Diabetes CPR/First Aid In addition to classroom training, the Public Authority is now offering free comprehensive online caregiver training through aQuire Training Solutions. It is available to all active IHSS providers and is advertised on the Public Authority website and via the distribution of informational flyers. Rapid Response Program This program, which refers providers to IHSS consumers that are unexpectedly without their regular provider, continues to be negatively impacted by the discontinuance of stipends. However, the Public Authority staff initiated an on-call list of providers on the Registry, who are interested and willing to do short assignments. Public Authority staff has been using these providers to meet the needs of consumers who need emergency assistance. The committee continues to monitor the program and discuss ways to improve it so that vulnerable consumers may remain safely in their homes. 2 II. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Communication and Networking/Community Involvement Committee member Sydney Anderson serves as treasurer for the East County Senior Coalition. Ms. Anderson is also an organizer of the East County Resource and Networking Group. She attended the Senior Injury Prevention Partnership in May. Ms. Anderson attended the SCAN Foundation’s Long Term Support Services Summit in November. Advisory Committee chair Sarah Birdwell is the board President of Independent Living Resources of Contra Costa and Solano counties. Member Gary Gray has been attending AC Transit and West Cat Transit Board bi-monthly meetings to advocate removing barriers for persons with disabilities at bus and BART stations. He also has a weekly sports radio show in which he informs the public about disabilities, race, social issues and economics in the sports world. The Public Authority staff has improved the content and usability of the agency’s web pages and the Advisory Committee received a demonstration of the site. Policies and Procedures The Rapid Response subcommittee reviewed and updated the program’s Policies and Procedures. III. ATTENDANCE/REPRESENTATION State Law, regulations and County Ordinance specify an eleven member Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors. No fewer than fifty percent of the members shall be individuals who are current or past users of personal assistance services paid for through public or private funds or are consumers of In- Home Supportive Services. Attendance at general meetings and for the sub-committees is very good. This year, due to redistricting, there was some permitted movement among the members between districts. One member was forced to resign due to health concerns. Currently there are three vacancies on the Committee: two consumers and one member at large in District 2. IV. TRAINING/CERTIFICATION This year Advisory Committee members received training or attended presentations on the following topics: Ethics AB 1234 Mandatory Advisory Body Requirement (every two years) V. PROPOSED WORK PLAN Recruit for and fill the vacancies on the Advisory Committee Continue to work with staff on trainings for providers and consumers Work with staff to increase the number of on-call providers for the Rapid Response Program Work with staff to improve and expand the Public Authority webpage Increase outreach to providers regarding the aQuire Training Solutions online training Participate in monthly CICA meetings Reach out to other IHSS Public Authority advisory committees for best practices Work with East Bay transit agencies to improve the ridership experience for persons with disabilities Continue to monitor state and federal legislation and grants which impact IHSS