Become an IHSS Provider

The Public Authority has a recruitment staff dedicated to recruiting caring and hard working individuals to meet the needs of IHSS client’s. We are aware that the IHSS client needs to have a choice about who they employ. Through the Public Authority’s recruitment efforts, we are insuring that each IHSS client has the opportunity to interview several providers before they make their selection.


The Public Authority’s recruiting includes visiting local colleges, vocational schools, community job fairs, churches, senior centers and other events where we are likely to find quality individuals interested in sharing their time and skills. The recruitment staff also utilizes the IHSS orientations, this website, postal mailings, event speaking and word of mouth to inform potential providers of available opportunities.

Elderly man with caregiver

What is the Provider Registry?

The Public Authority Registry is a program that brings together people who need care in their own homes with those who want to provide that care. The Public Authority Registry can help put you in touch with individuals with disabilities and/or elderly Consumers who need help to live safe and independently in their homes. The Registry is a service that includes recruiting and pre-screening IHSS providers, helping clients with interview assistance and referring Registry providers to IHSS clients. 

Provider Forms

*Attention providers, please call to verify the sessions listed are still taking place since the schedule is subject to change.

FAQs

Provider Registry

The Public Authority Registry is a program that brings together people who need care in their own homes with those who want to provide that care. The Public Authority Registry can help put you in touch with individuals with disabilities and/or elderly Consumers who need help to live safe and independently in their homes. The Registry is a service that includes recruiting and pre-screening IHSS providers, helping clients with interview assistance and referring Registry providers to IHSS clients.  As a provider, you can help consumers in many important ways, including:

  • Preparing meals and feeding
  • Keeping the house clean
  • Bathing and dressing
  • Shopping and laundry
  • Assisting with personal care

In short, as a provider you can become a trusted and very important partner in allowing a consumer who hires you to live independently in his or her own home.

Go to your local IHSS office and ask for a Public Authority Registry application or you can request one by emailing us at IHSSPARegistry@hss.sbcounty.gov.

All Registry providers are required to complete the new IHSS Enrollment process which includes registering for BOUNDS system as well as undergo and pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal background check.

You will make an important difference in people’s lives and while experience is not required, caring and a strong sense of responsibility are. As a provider, you can take pride in your skills, compassion and professionalism. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn new skills and gain experience in the care giving profession.

Although your paycheck comes from the State of California, the person you are providing the care to is your employer. This individual is responsible for hiring, training, supervising and – if need be – firing their Individual Provider. The IHSS Public Authority is the employer of record for purposes of negotiating wages and benefits.

Once you are added to the Registry, your name will be placed on a list and mailed to IHSS consumers who are looking to hire a provider. We maintain an active database of people needing assistance throughout San Bernardino County who prefer to hire a provider from our Registry. The consumers value the training and screening process, such as provider reference checks and criminal background checks

Working as a Registry provider can offer:

  • The flexibility you may need in your work hours, such as full-time or part-time scheduling. (If you are a student, have young children or other responsibilities, this flexibility can be vital)
  • Eligibility of medical benefits are available if there are open spots.  Once you are hired and have the required hours worked, please call Dublin at 925-803-1880

You must complete an update form or go online to update your availability monthly or if there is an immediate change in your availability/information.  If you do not update monthly, you may be removed from the registry.

  • You must call your Registry and IHSS social worker once you are hired, fired or quit
  • You must maintain a current CPR/First Aid card (if classes are available)
  • Report any issues that arise while working with your client
  • Complete your BOUNDS registration and activities

Please note: The Public Authority does not authorize client hours.  Call the IHSS social worker if you have questions in regards to your clients hours.

Once your application review is complete, you must also complete all of the following:

  • Informational handbook review
  • Criminal background check
  • BOUNDS registration and activity completion
  • CPR/First Aid training (if classes are available)

Once you have completed the requirements, you will receive a notification letter from the Public Authority stating that you are “Available” to be referred to the IHSS clients as needed

You must ensure that you advise your client with at least 2 weeks notice. Update online or in person at your local IHSS PA office and contact your client’s Public Authority and IHSS Social Worker to report the last day and hours that you worked

Make sure we have your most up to date information.  You must update monthly to ensure you remain active on the registry. This may be done by submitting a registry update form either online https://hss.sbcounty.gov/pa_update/ or in person at your local IHSS office

Submit an update form marked Fully Employed. You must be actively working with an IHSS client to qualify for this status. Once you are fully employed, an update is required every 3 months to remain in that status

Provider Services

Criminal Background Investigation Division (CBI)

The role of the Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) Division is to process all background checks submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for IHSS and Public Authority providers. CBI receives and enters live scan forms that are submitted by providers once they have been fingerprinted. The Live Scan Forms help the CBI unit track which providers have been fingerprinted and also help provide the contact information for the providers once their background checks come back from the Department of Justice.

In addition, CBI receives and reviews all background checks received from the Department of Justice.

  • Please note there is no exact turnaround timeframe for the DOJ. Usually, if there are NO issues it should take from 10-45 days.
  • If a provider has ever been arrested then there will probably be a Delay which may cause a delay of 6months or more.
Woman at computer
Close up of hand filling out a form

Enrollment Process

The Enrollment Division will link the client’s selected provider to the IHSS case in order to be paid.  The process can take up to 30 days after the provider has met all of the enrollment requirements. 

Employment Verification Requests

Requests for employment verification for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers are received in all offices of the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) and processed centrally at the Public Authority. The Public Authority regularly processes requests for verification of IHSS provider employment and income. IHSS provider employment verification is requested for various reasons, which may include:

  • Unemployment benefits,
  • Disability benefits,
  • Financial transactions, and
  • Application for or continuance of benefits under Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) programs.

IHSS providers may request this information by completing the PA IHSS 620 – Employment Verification

Request form. The form is to be returned to the Public Authority via:

  1. Fax to 909-927-4177
  2. Email to IHSSProviderEV@hss.sbcounty.gov
  3. Dropped off at the nearest IHSS office to the attention of Employment Verification

Notes:

  1. A copy of your ID must be accompanied with your submission in order for your request to be processed. 
  2. On –the-spot and same-day EV requests cannot be processed.
  3. The PA does not provide verbal EV information to outside agencies unless an EV form has been previously completed or a release of information has been received.
Man reading a paper document at a computer
Document that reads WORK INJURY CLAIM

Workers’ Compensation

The Public Authority is responsible for processing initial workers’ compensation claims and authorizing the first medical consultation for all San Bernardino County IHSS caregivers.

IHSS caregivers are responsible for reporting work-related injuries to the Public Authority.

If you are injured at work, you must report the injury by calling 866-985-6322 (extension #3) or in person by visiting your local Public Authority office.