If You Need a Caregiver
Different ways to pay for a caregiver are available to seniors and people with disabilities. Generally, caregivers are paid by one of two ways. Either the caregiver is paid directly by their client, or the caregiver accepts payment from the County of Humboldt for IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) hours. Read on to learn more about IHSS.IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services)
IHSS is a County of Humboldt program operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Social Services Branch. Non-medical, caregiving services are provided to eligible, low-income adults who are aged, blind or who have a disability. These services are to help those individuals live at home by assisting with daily tasks such as cleaning, meal preparation, bathing and dressing.To arrange for a friend or family member or professional caregiver to be your IHSS caregiver, call IHSS at (707) 476-2100.
After applying to IHSS, an IHSS social worker or Public Health nurse determines eligibility and the number of caregiver hours a person can receive each month. Once approved, the person may employ the caregiver of their choice. Payroll is handled through the State Department of Social Services. IHSS caregivers are covered by Workers' Compensation Insurance, Social Security and State Disability, as applicable.
Before a caregiver may receive payment from IHSS, the caregiver must apply as an IHSS caregiver. To be an IHSS caregiver for someone on IHSS, call IHSS at (707) 476-2100 to apply.
In response to a State mandate set by Assembly Bill 1682 in 2003, the Humboldt County Public Authority on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) approved the award of a contract with the Area 1 Agency on Aging to provide an IHSS Caregiver Registry.
The Caregiver Services registry lists trained and pre-screened caregivers available for work. Caregivers list with Caregiver Services for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) assignments as well as private job referrals. The registry makes free referrals for seniors and people with disabilities who need help at home. To inquire about caregiver trainings, job referrals or hiring a caregiver, call 707-443-4363 (toll free: 877-977-1604). In Eastern Humboldt call (530) 629-1139.
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If You Are a Caregiver
There are all types of caregivers. Some people are paid caregivers. There are family and friends who are caregivers, taking time out of their days (and nights) to help or support a loved one. And there are long-distance caregivers who stay in touch with someone from within the same county or across the United States. Long-distance caregivers often find and arrange for programs and services to meet a loved one's needs.Any type of caregiver may call Caregiver Services at 443-4363 (toll free: 877-977-1604) to find information, support and assistance to cope with the challenges of providing care for an elder or a person with a disability.
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How Does the Registry Make Referrals?
When people looking for caregivers call the Caregiver Services registry, we ask them questions and then try to make matches based on:- The kind of assistance that they need, personal or non-personal care
- Their In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregiver hours; "or" if they do not receive IHSS, how much they will pay
- Where they live
- Who they would prefer to help them (such as a female or male caregiver)
- When they need the caregiver to assist them (such as in the morning or evening)
When the matches have been made, we mail a list of possible caregivers and their phone numbers to the client or their contact person. The client may call the caregiver to discuss the job. If both people are interested, the client will invite any caregiver on the list to come for an interview. During the interview, both the caregiver and client should make sure that they are comfortable with each other, the type of work to be done and the payment arrangement. It is best to make a contract that both of you sign before a caregiver begins work.
Caregiver Services can provide information about how to write a contract, create a task schedule, what responsibilities and rights caregivers and clients have as well as other caregiving issues.
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Registry Information
To be listed with the Caregiver Services registry, all caregivers must complete training, an intake interview and pass a reference check.1 - Training
33 hours of training are required before any referrals can be made. Trainings are free of charge. Trainings are offered throughout Humboldt County. The training covers important information, such as your roles and responsibilities as a caregiver, community resources, infection control, nutrition, safety and the aging process.2 - Intake Interview
This face-to-face interview is to review your answers to a list of questions, which we call a profile, that you have completed, and discuss the program. During the interview, we can answer any questions you may have.Profile - The profile is your chance to tell us where and when you want to work, the kinds of tasks you wish to do, and the rate of pay you are looking to receive. We will mail the profile to you when you schedule your appointment. Complete it as honestly as possible and bring it to your interview.
DMV Clearance - If you drive, you must have a clean driving record and insurance. You will need to bring us a DMV printout (go to the Department of Motor Vehicles, no appointment necessary, cost is $5) and your insurance card.
3 - References
We require 3 positive references. You must provide us with 3 current names and phone numbers of those people who will give you a reference. We recommend that you talk to them before you give us their names and phone numbers. Let them know that we will be calling, verify their phone number and ask them if they are willing to give you a positive reference.After you have had your intake interview, completed training, and your references have been checked, you can be referred for work!
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