County Officials Protest Background Checks for In-Home Care Workers
County officials are pushing back against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) plan to require background checks and fingerprinting for workers in the state's In-Home Supportive Services program, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger pushed for the new IHSS requirements as part of an anti-fraud effort during this summer's budget negotiations.
Under the new requirements, all applicants for IHSS positions would need to undergo background checks and fingerprinting starting Monday. The state's current care workers would need to undergo the checks by June.
Lizelda Lopez -- spokesperson for the state Department of Social Services, which oversees IHSS -- said the Legislature set the Monday deadline as part of the budget deal.
County Concerns
Many county officials say they are not ready to begin enforcing the new application process.
They contend that the new rules oblige counties to acquire more staff and office space in order to provide mandated orientation sessions for prospective IHSS workers. In addition, some counties say they have not received the updated enrollment forms.
County officials warned that the new requirements could cause significant delays and prevent some elderly and disabled individuals from receiving needed in-home care.
Today, legislators are scheduled to hold an oversight hearing to address such concerns and consider the possibility of postponing the new application process (Bailey, Los Angeles Times, 10/28). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.