Evidence snapshot covering wages vs. cost of living, wage-bargaining signals over time, Public Authority/County performance indicators, training (for completeness), context, and source links.

Wages vs. Cost of Living

• IHSS provider wage (current): $17.00/hr — per county action and current wage lists referencing CDSS.
• Living wage (MIT, 1 adult / 0 kids): $22.77/hr (page updated Feb 10, 2025). MIT Colusa County
• Gap: −$5.77/hr (IHSS ≈ 74.7% of living wage)

County History of Fair Bartering for Wages

• Oct 29, 2024 (Board action): County approved Public Authority rate change tied to the Jan 1, 2025 minimum wage increase — $16.50 base + $0.50 county supplement (provider wage $17.00/hr).
• Pattern signal (recent years): Wages track state minimum with modest county supplements; no public record of premium wage jumps beyond minimum-linked changes in 2024–2025 archives.
• Small-county collaboration (historic): Inter-county MOU activity with Glenn County Public Authority (2012) suggests shared administrative capacity, not wage policy; included here for context.

Interpretation: Available records indicate reactive adjustments (minimum-linked) rather than consistent proactive wage improvements. We’ll compare patterns across counties when we grade on a curve.

Public Authority & County Support for Caregivers and Clients (Performance)

• Timeliness benchmark (state oversight): Application decision within 30 days (45 with medical certification); services begin within ~15 days after approval.
• Access & contacts: IHSS program line (info & referrals): (530) 458-0280. HHSA main: (530) 458-0250. Office: 251 E. Webster St., Colusa, CA 95932 (Mon–Fri 8:00–4:30).
• Enrollment friction: County notes DOJ Live Scan results “may take as long as one month,” which can delay provider start dates (statewide factor beyond county’s direct control).
• Outcome signal (historical): State Auditor data show “authorized hours not provided” improved from 14% (2015) to 7% (2019) for Colusa — still material but trending better.
• Public KPIs: No county-posted metrics found (e.g., average application-to-enrollment days, call answer time). Recommend using Board packets and CDSS oversight for verification until published.

Available Training (for completeness)

• Local PA statement: Public Authority lists “Provide training to Providers to increase their skills,” but no current calendar/schedule is posted.
• State context: CDSS IHSS Career Pathways statewide offerings sunset in late 2024; some third-party options (e.g., Homebridge) exist but are not county-specific.

Other Relevant Context

• County IHSS hub: IHSS overview & referrals • Public Authority • CDSS county directory
• Board archives: IHSS Public Authority Board agendas/minutes (2023–2024) available in the County Archive Center.

Sources & Links

• Current wage:
  IHSS Advocate — 2025 county wages;
  IHSS Law — 2025 wages;
  official hub: CDSS County IHSS Wage Rates.
• Living wage:
  MIT Living Wage — Colusa County (updated Feb 10, 2025).
• Board action (wage supplement):
  BOS Agenda — Oct 29, 2024.
• County pages:
  IHSS overview;
  Public Authority page;
  HHSA contact & hours.
• Performance context:
  California State Auditor 2020-109 (Appendix B).