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|  Training and Support Worker Training | | | The IHSS Public Authority is committed to improving In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) by developing and providing ongoing training opportunities to home care workers. To join the Registry, home care workers must first attend a mandatory orientation covering topics such us the IHSS program, the Public Authority Registry, union membership, pay and benefits, worker responsibilities, Universal Precautions, and completing IHSS contract and timesheets. Workers must also provide proof of a negative TB test results within the last 10 months. All workers must update their TB test results every year in order to remain active in our Registry. At the time of the orientation, the Public Authority can provide workers with information regarding obtaining free TB testing. Workers need to provide three positive references and go through an interview with our Registry staff. For more information about registering, please call 415-243-4477. We do not give out applications to walk-ins. IHSS PUBLIC AUTHORITY WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM In January 2004, the Public Authority formally launched its Worker Training Program. Currently, the program consists of a Homecare Skills Development Training and Continuing Education Workshops. The training is a 12-day, 48 hour course that covers basic health and safety procedures, hands-on personal care training including use of common homecare equipment, and two-year certification in CPR and First Aid. Workshops are offered twice a month and are a chance for workers to learn about different homecare topics through speakers we invite from local agencies serving seniors and people with disabilities. Eligible independent providers may elect to take either the homecare training or attend the workshops, or both. IHSS independent providers will receive mailings throughout the year inviting them to trainings in English, Cantonese, Russian, and Spanish. Workers MUST be eligible for health benefits (have been working over 2 months, with 25 hours in at least one month) to qualify for these trainings. Please call the Public Authority Worker Training Phone Line to learn more about the program or be placed on a waiting list for classes in English, Cantonese, Russian, or Spanish. Training line hours are: Mondays-Fridays, 9:00 a.m. and Noon: 415-243-4388 | | Back to top | | | Training and Support Consumer Workshops | | | The Public Authority periodically offers consumer workshops to San Francisco residents to inform the general public about IHSS and Public Authority services. Workshop topics include "Hiring, Training, and Managing Your Home care Worker" and "Assessment and Managing Your Worker." Call the Public Authority to inquire about the next consumer workshop. If your agency or apartment building has seniors or people with disability who would like to participate in a workshop, call the Public Authority to schedule a group workshop at your location. Workshops work best for groups of between 6 and 10 people. | | Back to top | | | Training and Support Consumer Conferences | | | One of the Public Authority's most popular programs is its "Where there's a Will, there's a Way" conference. At this free, consumer-oriented event, older adults and people with disabilities explore and discuss issues relating to home care. In workshops, IHSS recipients can learn about how to interview potential providers, how to manage their workers and avoid potential problems, and how to handle all the paperwork involved in the process. Our 5th conference was held at St. Mary's Cathedral Conference Center in September 2006 and attracted hundreds of consumers and providers. Nearly 50 agencies participated in our Resource Fair, offering attendees a wide range of services and supports. Forums and Symposiums In October 2006, we held our first Consumer Open Forum Luncheon for over two dozen IHSS consumers and several of their providers at the Mission Creek Senior Community. Consumers raised questions about and spoke on issues, including assessment of hours, income eligibility, training of workers, communication/language problems and transportation challenges. In July 2007, we sponsored the got RIGHTS: Fulfilling the Promise of Human and Civil Rights for People with Disabilities symposium at the Hilton San Francisco. The symposium attracted over 200 federal, state and Bay Area policymakers, legislators, IHSS directors, agency representatives, consumer advocates, home care workers, and city and state department officals, who came together to share ideas about how to best fulfill our nation's legal and moral obligations to people with disabilities. | | Back to top | | | Training and Support Consumer Handbook | | | Consumer Handbooks are available free of charge to all San Francisco IHSS Consumers. To view a PDF file of the Table of Contents, click here. To order a handbook, download an order form and mail or fax it to the Public Authority. | | Back to top | | | Training and Support Worker Handbook | | | The 80-page Worker Handbook has been distributed free of charge to new registry workers since January 1998. It contains detailed information about the Registry, payroll, the Union, home care skills, communication skills, illness and accident prevention, and a range of other useful homecare topics. To order a Worker Handbook, please download an order form and mail it to the Public Authority | | Back to top | | | Training and Support Ordering Handbooks | | | Workers who join the Public Authority Registry receive a free worker handbook. IHSS consumers in San Francisco may request a free copy of the consumer handbook. Homecare consumers living elsewhere are charged $6 to offset some of the costs of printing and mailing. Agencies and individuals may order the worker or consumer handbook for $20 each. Worker handbooks will soon be available on-line in PDF format. However, we are unable to process on-line requests for hardcopies of the handbooks. To order a handbook by mail, print an order form from your computer and send with an enclosed check to The Public Authority. Make all checks payable to "San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority." | | Back to top |
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