Dozens of In‑Home Supportive Services workers asked the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 to approve a higher county contract rate for providers, saying current pay does not cover rising living costs and threatens care for older adults and people with disabilities.

Speakers at the public‑comment period described relying on multiple jobs, deferred car maintenance and food giveaways while continuing to provide care in homes across the county. “I continue to work with dedication and heart, yet it’s becoming harder to manage on a fixed income,” said Jackie Jordan, an IHSS provider who said homeowners insurance and property taxes have jumped.

The appeals illustrated a statewide problem that providers and their union say has left hundreds of care hours unfilled in Lake County. “We are the largest employer in Lake County,” said Siva Jameli, an IHSS worker and SEIU bargaining team member. “If we can’t survive, if we can’t make enough money on our job to take care of our families, then we will be homeless.”

Union representatives and several providers urged supervisors to use any available county funding to raise IHSS wages and to finalize a contract that bargaining teams have been negotiating. Luisa Costa, who identified herself as the Lake County representative for SEIU 2015, said the union polled providers and found large shares work multiple jobs and that more than 400,000 authorized care hours went unused in the county in 2023.

Board members did not take action during the public‑comment period. County staff and union negotiators later must report back to the board with options and funding sources before the board can change contract terms.

Ending: Providers said they would continue to press the board for a settlement that tribal, city and county leaders and the bargaining team can implement. If the board requests, staff will return with specific funding scenarios and timing for any wage increases.