Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
IHSS providers urge board to raise wages amid household financial strain
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the April 8 meeting described financial hardship among In-Home Supportive Services providers and asked supervisors to increase IHSS wages to retain caregivers and ensure continuity of care.
At public comment during the April 8 San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors meeting several speakers described hardship among In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers and urged the board to increase wages for IHSS workers.
Jennifer Garcia said her family relies on her wife's IHSS wages to care for their adult daughter with a disability and that the household faces financial stress while she awaits disability benefits. "IHSS workers need higher salaries so that way they could actually support their families," Garcia said.
Gurpreet Kaur, who said she worked 17 years as a registered nurse in Ireland before becoming an IHSS provider in San Joaquin County, described on-the-job injury and long waits for employer-provided health care. She told the board that without higher pay she may be forced to seek a higher-paying job, which would disrupt care for her current clients.
Speakers asked supervisors to consider wage increases for IHSS providers so they can continue delivering care to elderly and disabled residents and avoid turnover that could leave clients without support. Supervisors acknowledged the comments and the need to consider IHSS funding in county and state budget discussions; the board did not take action on wage policy at the meeting.
