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Caregivers and advocates urge county to invest in in‑home supportive services; board approves MOU establishing registry
Summary
Multiple providers and advocacy groups urged the board to increase funding and wages for in‑home supportive services (IHSS) and to pursue state matching funds; board approved a memorandum of understanding to create an IHSS worker registry and directed continued work on compensation and advocacy to Sacramento.
At a public agenda item on administration of in‑home supportive services, a coalition of providers, caregivers and advocates urged the board to invest in wages and benefits for IHSS workers to address a caregiver shortage and preserve family‑based care.
Speakers representing the United Domestic Workers (UDW), ASCSC, Mosaic Movement, UC Irvine Labor Center and clergy detailed how low wages undermine provider retention and service availability. "We urge the board to take advantage of the 10% option for state participation available to Orange County from July 1 to 2029," one speaker said, citing a potential combined match that could bring local funds to $50 million in leveraged state and federal resources if wages are increased.
Supervisors and staff emphasized that the item before the board was an administrative memorandum of understanding to establish an IHSS worker registry and not a wage‑setting action. The vice chair and Supervisor Sarmiento described advocacy steps taken in Sacramento and warned of possible state budget changes that could shift responsibility or funding.
The board moved and approved the MOU to create the registry and asked Health Care Agency and other staff to return with additional analysis and options, including digital platforms and continuity of services. Several supervisors pledged to continue conversations with the state and to seek more equitable funding to support wages and service delivery.
Public commenters and board members asked county staff to prepare an IHSS digital footprint and a strategy that could better connect families and caregivers to services and funding opportunities.
