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IHSS caregivers urge county to consider statutory '10% option' after union clarifies state approval practice
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Summary
Representatives for IHSS caregivers said California Department of Social Services (CDSS) approval of locally negotiated '10% option' wage increases has historically been administrative and granted when statutory parameters are met; county social services said the option is unaffordable for Lake County and negotiations continue.
Representatives of in‑home supportive‑services (IHSS) caregivers and their union told supervisors that pursuing wage increases under the statutory '10% option' is an established, administratively reviewed process under the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and that compliant local agreements have historically obtained state participation.
Roseanne Domingo, representing IHSS caregivers and SEIU 2015, said a recent Department of Social Services presentation overstated the risk that CDSS might refuse approval for a county‑negotiated increase under the 10% option. Domingo said the CDSS review is administrative and that, when counties negotiate a valid memorandum of understanding and certify required local funding shares, state participation has historically been granted.
Vicky Ellsborn (IHSS) cited a statewide brief (Sept. 2023) and listed nearby counties that have used the 10% option, including Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte.
Rachel Dillon Parsons, Lake County social services director, responded that the county has issued a "last best final" offer and is awaiting SEIU’s response; she said the county assessed the 10% option and concluded it is unaffordable locally, making CDSS approval "somewhat irrelevant" to the county's budgeting decision.
Speakers provided an attachment outlining how the 10% option would apply locally; no final decision was recorded in the public comment period.
