County public authority releases ASR review of IHSS; recommends tech, outreach and staffing improvements

An ASR‑commissioned program review of Sacramento County’s In‑Home Supportive Services (IHSS) public authority was presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 22, identifying strengths and a set of recommendations to improve provider enrollment, training, outreach and administrative capacity.

John Kaczitza, executive director of the Public Authority, and division staff summarized the report’s mixed‑methods findings: ASR interviewed staff, surveyed providers and recipients and ran focus groups. The report found the program is driven by committed staff and that the public authority has expanded services but faces operational pressure as caseloads and enrollments have grown.

Key statistics presented to the board included roughly 40,000 IHSS recipients countywide and more than 9,000 provider enrollments in the most recent fiscal year. Kaczitza said public‑authority staff spent a majority of labor time on provider enrollment (64% of labor time during one recent six‑month period) and that continuing demand strains in‑person enrollment workflows.

ASR’s recommendations clustered around technology (an in‑house database, learning‑management system and portal), staff support and workload balance, community partnerships and outreach (off‑site orientations and joint training with community colleges), clearer recipient‑employer guidance, and expansion of the caregiver registry and virtual supports. Kaczitza said the public authority is pursuing a hybrid enrollment model with online options, is exploring an in‑house database with county technology staff and will improve outreach and training partnerships.

Board members applauded the review and asked staff to return with more specific action plans and timelines, including cost estimates and how any new work would be resourced. No action other than receipt of the report was required.