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Department of Human Services

Adult and Aging Division
County Of Sonoma › Health and Human Services › Human Services › Divisions and Services › Adult and Aging › In Home Support Services
Adult and Aging Division

In Home Support Services

In order to stay living safely at home, eligible older adults and disabled residents of all ages, can apply for support from paid in-home care providers. IHSS clients get help with day-to-day tasks that they cannot do themselves. 

Once registered with IHSS clients find, employ and supervise their own caregivers with the support of the IHSS Public Authority (IHSS PA). IHSS PA also offers IHSS clients a registry of screened care providers to choose from.

COVID-19 Coronavirus Update: Information and Resources for IHSS Care Providers

Sonoma  County Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase and Governor Newsom have issued public health orders directing everyone to stay home, except to provide or receive certain essential services. (En español bajo)

In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) care providers are essential workers and should continue to provide care for their client, as long as both the care provider and client have not tested positive for COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, like a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Please Remember

  • Keep a distance of at least 6 feet away from another person
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hands)
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Clean high-touch surfaces often

What precautions do I need to take when working for my client(s)? 

  • If sick and unable to work, call your client to talk about backup care provider options
  • Call your client before going to be sure they have no signs of a respiratory infection
  • Wash your hands upon arrival, often while there, and before you leave
  • Avoid close contact with others in the home, besides your client
  • Disinfect surfaces that you touch, including countertops, tables, faucets, sinks, light switches, etc.

What do I do if my client gets sick?

  • Help your client contact their medical provider
  • Stay home until you talk to a medical provider
  • Remind your client to follow the advice of their medical provider
  • Remind your client to avoid contact with others and to stay home
  • Remind your client to stay in their bedroom away from others.  If available, use a separate restroom.
  • If client tests positive for COVID-19, advise client to notify their IHSS social worker at (707) 565-5900.

Additional Information 

Actualización del Coronavirus COVID-19: Información y Recursos para Proveedores de IHSS

El Oficial de Salud del Condado de Sonoma (Dr. Sundari Mase) y el Gobernador Newsom emitieron recientemente órdenes para que todos se queden en casa, excepto para proporcionar o recibir ciertos servicios esenciales.

Los Proveedores de IHSS son trabajadores esenciales y deben continuar brindando la atención y cuidado a su cliente, siempre y cuando el proveedor como el cliente no tengan un resultado positivo al COVID-19 y no tengan síntomas, como fiebre, tos o falta de aliento.

Por Favor Recuerde

  • Mantenga una distancia de al menos 6 pies de otra persona
  • Lavase las manos frecuentemente con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos
  • Use desinfectante para manos si no hay agua y jabón disponibles
  • Tosa o estornude en su codo (no en sus manos)
  • Evite tocarse la cara
  • Limpie las superficies de alto contacto a menudo

Precauciones debo tomar cuando trabaje para mi cliente(s)?

  • Si esta enfermo y no puede trabajar, llame a su cliente sobre opciones para un proveedor de respaldo
  • Llame a su cliente antes de ir a trabajar para asegurarse que no tenga signos de infección respiratoria
  • Lavase las manos al llegar, a menudo mientras este allí y antes de irse
  • Evite contacto cercano con otras personas en el hogar aparte de su cliente
  • Desinfecté las superficies que usted toque incluyendo, mesas, grifos, fregaderos, interruptores de luz, etc.

Hago si mi cliente se enferma?

  • Ayude a su cliente a contactar a su doctor primario
  • Quédese en casa hasta que usted hable con su doctor primario
  • Recuérdele a su cliente que siga los consejos de su doctor primario
  • Recuérdele a su cliente que evite el contacto con otros y que se quede en casa
  • Recuérdele a su cliente que permanezca en su habitación lejos de los demás. Si es posible, que use un baño separado
  • Si su cliente tiene un resultado positivo para COVID-19, aconseje a su cliente de notificárselo a su trabajador social de IHSS al 707-565-5900.

Información Adicional

No More Paper Timesheets as of June 1

Starting June 1, all IHSS clients and providers will submit and approve payroll timesheets either online or by phone.  Paper timesheets will no longer be accepted. 

For more information, including how to sign-up for the new system, visit www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/esphelp or call Sonoma County IHSS at (707) 565-2852.

No más hojas de tiempo de papel a partir del 1 de junio

A partir del 1 de junio, todos los clientes y proveedores de IHSS enviarán y aprobarán hojas de tiempo por internet o por teléfono. Las hojas de tiempo en papel ya no serán aceptadas. 

Para obtener más información, incluido cómo registrarse en el nuevo sistema, visite www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/esphelp o llame al IHSS del condado de Sonoma al (707) 565-2852.

Who is Eligible for IHSS Care?

Legal California residents, including older adults and children, youth or adults with disabilities, who:

  1. live in their own house or rent,
  2. need help from a caregiver to remain at home safely and independently,
  3. is receiving Medi-Cal and
  4. submit a completed Health Care Certification form.

Find more eligibility information by calling IHSS or or visiting the California Department of Social Services website.

How to Apply for IHSS

Anyone can call to refer an eligible Sonoma County resident for in-home care. Clients may call for themselves, or referrals can come from a neighbor, family member, medical or hospital professional or a community organization. 

  • Call IHSS at (707) 565-5900 to refer or apply.

After a Client is Referred

Completing the steps takes about 30 days. IHSS determines the client's eligibility, then, an IHSS social worker makes a home visit to assess the services and the number of hours of care the client needs. Services are based on the client's medical condition or disability, plus his or her level of ability. 

  • The client's home situation is reviewed annually or when changes affect the person's need for services.

Services Clients May Receive

Approved IHSS clients may get help for daily tasks, such as:

  • Domestic Services - sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, dusting and picking up
  • Related Domestic Services - meal preparation, meal clean-up, laundry and shopping
  • Personal Care - bathing, grooming, bowel and bladder care, feeding, dressing, respiration, ambulation and care and assistance with prosthetics
  • Accompaniment - help getting to medical appointments
  • Protective Supervision - behavior monitoring due to chronic cognitive impairment
  • Paramedical - certain types of care recommended by a physician

Find and Hire a Care Provider

Care providers are employed by the IHSS client. Clients must find, hire and supervise their care provider. 

  • Contact the IHSS Public Authority, which helps IHSS clients manage the details of finding, hiring and paying care providers. Visit the IHSS PA website or call the office at (707) 565-2852.