Introduction

The mission of the Sonoma County IHSS Public Authority is to improve home and community-based in-home supportive services to optimize the quality of life and/or independence of people of all ages with disabilities. The following survey results are from the first survey designed to better understand the needs of IHSS consumers and to identify important areas for the Public Authority to focus on as it develops its services. The survey was conducted prior to the official opening of the Public Authority

Methodology

Surveys were mailed to all current IHSS consumers, as of 12/01/01. Self-addressed, stamped envelopes were included in the mailing. Telephone assistance was offered, and some consumers opted to complete the survey over the telephone with one of the staff. Out of the 2,455 Surveys sent, 721 were returned; a 29.4% return rate. Surveys were mailed prior to the completion of negotiations with SEIU Local 250.

Survey Findings - Highlights

Highlights from the survey findings are:

• "Level of pay", "lack of benefits", and "interpersonal skills" were the top three problems encountered by respondents when finding and retaining good providers.
• "Housekeeping", "driving", and "meal preparation" were the top three skills identified as essential for providers to have.
• 58.4% of respondents want criminal background checks run on potential providers.
• 52% of respondents felt their authorized IHSS hours were sufficient to meet their needs.
• Consumers are looking for providers who are "honest", "dependable", "reliable", "trustworthy" and "willing to work".
• Narrative comments were varied and will be presented in a separate report.

Survey Findings – Details

DEMOGRAPHICS (Optional)

1. Where do you live within Sonoma County?

% of % of IHSS

Respondents Consumers

Petaluma/South West County 2.4% 9.9%

Santa Rosa 9.0% 50.3%

Rohnert Park/Cotati/Penngrove 3.3% 9.6%

City of Sonoma/South East County 1.7% 5.4%

Bodega Bay/West County 0.4% 0.7%

Sebastopol/Forestville/Guerneville/North West County 2.1% 10.9%

Healdsburg/Windsor/Cloverdale/North East County 4.6% 13.1%

No response 76.5%

How many IHSS hours are authorized for you each month?

% of % of IHSS

RespondentsConsumers

<65 hours/month 37.6% 46.5%

65-99 hours/month 15.5% 20.4%

100-149 hours/month 9.9% 13.6%

150-199 hours/month 3.7% 6.2%

200+ hours/month 11.0% 13.3%

No response 22.3%

What year were you born?

% of % of IHSS

Respondents Consumers

Prior to 1921 (81 years of age or older) 14.7% 18.6%

1921-1936 (65 – 80 years of age) 22.9% 24.6%

1937-1946 (55 – 64 years of age) 10.4% 14.9%

1947-1982 (19 – 54 years of age) 26.4% 37.1%

1983or later (0 – 18 years of age) 1.5% 4.7%

No response 24.1%

CONSUMER NEEDS

1. In your personal experience, what do you think are the biggest problems when hiring and retaining care providers?

Have you ever needed to hire a care provider but couldn’t find one?

Percentage of Respondents

Yes 43.7%

No 56.3%

If yes, how often does this occur?

Percentage of Respondents

Once a year 1.1%

Twice a year 1.1%

Four times a year 3.1%

Monthly 3.5%

No response 91.2%

Typically, how long does it take you to hire a care provider?

Percentage of Respondents

1-4 weeks 6.4%

1-3 months 4.6%

3-6 months 2.2%

More than 6 months 1.5%

No response 85.3%

How long have you gone without a care provider?

Percentage of Respondents

1-4 weeks 6.7%

1-3 months 4.2%

3-6 months 2.1%

More than 6 months3.0%

No response 84.0%

Are your IHSS approved hours enough to meet all your needs?

Percentage of Respondents

Yes 52.0%

No 48.0%

Percentage of Respondents

My friends/family do them for me 35.8%

My care providers do them anyway 32.3%

They don’t get done 25.4%

I do them myself 18.7%

I call another agency for help 2.8%