3. What can I do to make the Registry application process go as quickly as possible?
4. Why do I have to go through so many background checks?
5. Will you really check my references?
6. Will a felony disqualify me from being on the registry?
8. Should I start working if the consumer does not have a provider packet?
9. What should I do if there is a disagreement between the consumer and myself?
10. Can I accept gifts from consumers?
11. Who pays for gas when I take my consumers to doctor appointments?
12. Who pay for my gas to go to and from work?
13. Can the consumer give me more hours than I worked as payment for gas or any other service?
14. Should I work more hours than the consumer has been allotted by IHSS?
15. Who should I contact if I am looking for more hours?
16. Why is it important to come to the provider orientation?
1. How do I get listed as a provider on the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority of Marin Registry?
To be listed as a provider on the Public Authority Registry, fill out a provider application with all requested documentation.
2. After I complete an application to be listed as a provider on the IHSS Public Authority of Marin Registry, how long does it take to actually start working as an IHSS provider?
The Public Authority Registry screening process can last up to three weeks. Providers are asked to:
3. What can I do to make the Registry application process go as quickly as possible?
If you are applying to the Public Authority Registry and would like the application process to go as quickly and smoothly as possible, we recommend:
(Approximately one week)
Upon successful completion of the screening with the Public Authority, your name will be placed on the Public Authority Registry. When requested, we mail a consumer a list of eight providers who are suitable and available. As appropriate, your name will be sent out on these lists until you are working the desired number of hours each month. Since letters will take a few days to arrive at the consumer’s home, you will probably not hear from a prospective client (consumer) about setting up an interview for a few days. In order to make this part of the process go more smoothly a provider should:
By following the approaches recommended above, you can anticipate the application and placement process will take about a month.
4. Why do I have to go through so many background checks?
The Public Authority conducts a number of background checks on prospective Registry providers to ensure high quality referrals are made to IHSS consumers. When selecting an IHSS provider, an IHSS consumer is getting your skills and aptitude as well as confidence that you will treat them with respect and integrity. By getting background checks, IHSS consumers can more confidently hire you and make use of your services.
To this end, the Public Authority runs three background checks. Each of these checks returns a result in a specific area. When you pass each of these screenings successfully, we refer you with greater confidence.
5. Will you really check my references?
Yes, we check all references provided to us. We ask that you carefully review all names and contact information before providing them to us ensure we can reach all those listed. We also encourage you to ensure you the references who will make positive statements about your capabilities. You will be viewed as a more attractive Registry candidate when we get feedback from those who recognize the value of your professional contributions.
6. Will a felony disqualify me from being on the registry?
No, a felony will not necessarily disqualify you from the Registry. As per California law, there are certain types of felonies that will disqualify you from being placed on the Registry including:
On the application, we ask about your prior criminal history to evaluate your suitability for the Registry and determine whether or not you are demonstrating a “spirit” of full disclosure. We can and will make distinctions between different types of felonies. We also consider the amount of time that has passed since the criminal activity occurred. However, we do not look kindly on false statements, nor failure to disclose requested information. Full disclosure means letting us know about any criminal history before we find out about it through one of the background checks.
Ultimately, Registry staff look to the Executive Director of the Public Authority for guidance on how to weigh criminal backgrounds.
After you are accepted to the Registry, interviewed by an IHSS consumer, selected to be his or her IHSS provider, you and the consumer agree to the employment terms including duties, start and end times and scheduled days. You will also complete and submit a provider packet. The IHSS Social Worker will send a provider packet to the IHSS consumer. In some cases, IHSS providers can make arrangements to pick up the provider packet at the Adult Social Services, Reception Office, 10 North San Pedro Road, Suite 1002, San Rafael, CA 94903.
Once the provider packet is completed and submitted, a timesheet is generated and sent to the provider. Usually, providers receive their first timecard in two to three weeks.
Since checks are only issued twice a month, providers are strongly encouraged to complete and submit timesheets as soon as possible. Upon receipt, fill them out and get them signed by your consumer. Submit completed timesheets by mail or in person to: Adult Social Services, Reception Office, 10 North San Pedro Road, Suite 1002, San Rafael, CA 94903.
If you should have payroll issues arise, contact the Payroll Hotline at 415-499-7487.
8. Should I start working if the consumer does not have a provider packet?
Yes, you can start working before the provider packet has been completed and submitted. In the best case scenario, the consumer will have the provider packet when hiring you. However, there are occasions when the provider packet will be mailed from Adult Social Services after a provider has started working. If you don’t complete your position of the provider packet within one week of being selected for your new job, contact the Public Authority for assistance.
9. What should I do if there is a disagreement between the consumer and myself?
The Public Authority has found that minor disagreements can happen and we encourage you to settle them with the consumer to the best of your abilities. If you find that problems persist or are elevated, we invite you to contact us for assistance. In some cases, we will provide mediation and education to address the problem for the longer term.
10. Can I accept gifts from consumers?
While you are an IHSS provider, you may find that your IHSS consumer offers you gifts and small tokens of appreciation. Though you may appreciate the gesture, we do not recommend that you availab yourself of the consumer’s offer. In some cases, consumers may be forgetful and not remember they gave you a gift. Later, they could perceive that you got the token without their consent. To avoid this type of confusion, we recommend you thank them for their generosity and politely decline their gift.
11. Who pays for gas when I take my consumers to doctor appointments?
Providers are not paid by the County nor State for money spent on gas. Before providing transportation in your car to your consumer, we strongly recommend that you reach an agreement with your consumer about who is responsible for paying for gas and how much before taking the trip.
12. Who pay for my gas to go to and from work?
Providers are responsible for their transportation costs including gas to get to and from work.
13. Can the consumer give me more hours than I worked as payment for gas or any other service?
By law, consumers are not allowed to offer providers “extra” IHSS hours in payment for gas or other services. If you claim to have worked more hours than you actually on your timesheet, you are engaging in fraud and could be subject to severe penalties. Provider are only allowed to submit timesheets for hours worked providing in-home supportive services specified in the Notice of Action by Adult Social Services. If you have questions about what services you can provide, contact one of the Registry staff for your consumer’s Social Worker.
14. Should I work more hours than the consumer has been allotted by IHSS?
No, each consumer has been allotted a certain amount of IHSS hours by Adult Social Services for each month. Any time a provider works over the assigned IHSS hours will be unpaid.
15. Who should I contact if I am looking for more hours?
If you would like to work more hours as an IHSS provider, call us. We will send your name out to more consumers who are looking for a provider. After you “reactivate” your looking for work status, we ask that you contact our office at least two times a month to let us know your employment status:
16. Why is it important to come to the provider orientation?
The Public Authority holds a monthly orientation for providers to help them get the most out of their professional status as an IHSS provider. In this one to two hour session, we provide tips and tricks on filling out initial provider packets, timesheets and provider benefits.