The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program in Fresno County, California aims to enhance safety, prevent institutionalization, provide services to avoid out-of-home placement, and encourage independence for eligible recipients who are aged, blind, or disabled. IHSS serves over 12,000 recipients in Fresno County, providing domestic, personal care, and related services. The program is governed by the County Board of Supervisors and aims to connect recipients with community resources regardless of demographics. Similarly, the Prince Edward County Community for Senior Association in Ontario, Canada implements a philosophy of aging at home, utilizing volunteers to provide meals and home services to help seniors remain living at home safely and avoid risks of institutional

1. Agency Analysis
In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
Emiliano Beltran
Dr. Clarke
SWRK 180

2. IHSS Goals
● To enhance the safety of recipients
● Prevent institutionalization
● Provide services that help recipients avoid out-ofhome placement
● Encourage independence, self-sufficiency and selfesteem
(Fresno County, Department of Social Services, 2013)

3. Population Eligible for IHSS
● Aged
○ 65 years of age or older
● Blind
○ Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in better eye with
glasses
● Disabled
○ Unable to engage in activity due to medically
determined physical/mental impairment
(Fresno County, Department of Social Services, 2013)

4. Community Context of Agency
● 12,030 recipients in Fresno County
○ Low income $925/month
○ More than half over 65 and 62% female
○ 65% Black/Hispanic, 19% Asian, 15% Caucasian
● Travel by Handy Ride or driven by friends/family
● Community involvement
○ Present at community health fairs
○ Assessments done in recipient’s home
● Interact with FMAAA, APS and Meals on Wheels
(Fresno County, Department of Social Services, 2013; G. Sanchez, personal communication, October 16. 2013)

5. Services Provided
● Domestic Services
○ Housecleaning
● Related Services
○ Meal preparation & Clean up
○ Laundry
● Personal care services
○ Bowel and bladder care
○ Bathing, grooming, oral hygiene
○ Ambulation
(Fresno County, Department of Social Services, 2013)

6. Organizational Structure
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IHSS is a public agency
Program governed by Board of Supervisors
Program manager is top position
Social work supervisor is next highest position and they
supervise front-line workers and interns
● Other positions are unit and office support staff
● Recipient is responsible for hiring, training, supervising
and firing provider
● Recipient can refuse service authorized by social
worker
(G. Sanchez, personal communication, October 16. 2013)

7. Organizational Functions
● Social workers complete assessments in recipient’s
home and take environment into consideration
● Use social worker skills to connect people to services &
resources
● Different cultural practices for grooming is recognized,
recipients are given more time for this
● Social worker’s goal is to enhance clients’ problem
solving and coping
● Services provided regardless of race, sex and language
(Fresno County, Department of Social Services, 2013; G. Sanchez, personal communication, October 16. 2013)

8. Prince Edward County Community for Senior Association
Ontario, Canada
● Implements Home First philosophy
● Human right of the right to life, liberty, and security
of person is demonstrated by agency
● Agency plays role in transition of seniors from hospital
back to home when medically stable or no longer sick
● This eliminates the following risks for seniors
○ Contracting infectious disease
○ Physical/mental deterioration
○ Social isolation
(French & Buffet, 2013)

9. Prince Edward County Community for Senior Association
Agency Structure/Provided Services
●
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Agency has a small staff and an executive director
Has a very large volunteer base
Agency has a board of directors
The agency works in partnership with family and
friends of clients to provide services
● Volunteers help with meals and home upkeep in order
for seniors to stay at home longer
(Werkhoven, 2013)

10. References
Barnes, C., Logston, V., Sutherland, S., Gonzales, E., (2006). The Consumer
Handbook: In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program. Sacramento,
CA: California State University, Sacramento, Institute for Social Research
French,L., & Buffet, G., (2013). Home First Better for Patients and System. Retrieved from
http://communitycareforseniors.org/newsc17.php
Fresno County, Department of Social Services (2013). Program Overview
[PowerPoint slides]
Fresno County, Department of Social Services (2013). Social Work Role and Ethics: IHSS Induction
Training [PowerPoint slides]
Werkhoven, M. (2013, June 30). About Community Care. Retrieved from
http://communitycareforseniors.org/aboutcommunitycarec1.php