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IHSS providers urge Solano County supervisors to back higher wages in contract talks
Summary
Multiple in‑home supportive services (IHSS) providers told the Solano County Board of Supervisors that current IHSS pay is insufficient for the county cost of living and contributes to high turnover, unused service hours, and greater public costs. Speakers asked supervisors to support increased wages in upcoming contract negotiations.
Dozens of in‑home supportive services caregivers asked the Solano County Board of Supervisors on August 2025 to press county negotiators to increase pay for IHSS providers.
Speakers said low pay is driving turnover and leaving approved care hours unfilled, which they said harms frail seniors and people with disabilities. “Higher wages are essential to retaining skilled and experienced IHSS workers in Solano County,” said Leticia Guerrero, who identified herself as a representative at the IHSS negotiations table.
Why it matters: IHSS delivers home care that helps people remain in their homes and avoids costlier institutional care. Providers said low pay forces them to take additional jobs, reducing the hours they can work for IHSS clients and creating gaps in care that can lead to hospital visits.
What speakers told the board - Leticia Guerrero said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology living‑wage benchmark shows a single adult in Solano County needs $28.22 an hour, while “the current IHSS wage is $17.70 per hour,” and urged the board to support a faster wage increase. - Lupe Gutierrez, who said she provides IHSS care to a 91‑year‑old family member, described trips to the hospital she attributed to unattended hours and said workers often choose higher‑paying non‑care jobs. - Daphne Danston, a member leader with SEIU 2015, said “care counts in our community” and asked supervisors to “protect home care and prioritize caregivers.” - Multiple other IHSS providers gave personal examples of unused approved hours, the need for multiple jobs to afford rent, and the program’s role in preventing institutional care.
Board reaction and context Board members did not take an immediate vote on IHSS wages during the meeting. The speakers asked supervisors to consider the county’s share of costs at the negotiating table; several speakers argued higher wages would reduce other county expenditures by preventing emergency room visits and avoidable hospitalizations.
Clarifying details reported at the meeting - Speakers cited a county figure of more than 286,000 approved IHSS hours going unused in prior years (public comment claim; county staff did not provide a separate confirmation during the item). - Multiple commenters noted Solano County’s share of IHSS program costs is a fraction of the total because state and federal funds match local contributions.
What happens next Speakers asked the board to press negotiators to resolve the contract quickly and to prioritize wage increases. The board did not adopt a motion on wages during the public comment period.
Ending Speakers concluded by framing IHSS pay as both a workforce and equity issue affecting mostly women and people of color and asked supervisors to act in upcoming contract negotiations.
