IHSS in Fresno County is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Public Authority (PA). Below is an evidence-first snapshot focusing on wages vs. cost of living, bargaining history, PA/County support performance signals, available training, context, and primary sources.

Wages vs. Cost of Living

• Current IHSS provider wage: $18.35/hr.
• Living wage (single adult, no children): $23.35/hr.
• Gap: −$5.00/hr (≈ 78.6% of living wage).

County history of fair bartering for wages

• Contract lapse: Prior IHSS MOU expired in Dec 2022; negotiations continued for over two years.
• Tentative agreement: Apr 15, 2025 (wage increases and health-benefit protections).
• Board approval: May 20, 2025 (three-year contract approved).
• Implemented wage step: $18.35/hr effective late summer/September 2025; scheduled to reach $18.85/hr in Jan 2026.
• Healthcare: County contribution maintained for ~2,000 providers via union health plan under the new deal.

Public Authority / County support performance signals

• Enrollment & orientation: Online pre-enrollment with required videos and e-forms, followed by an in-person appointment and background check.
• Document intake: Secure online upload, mail, fax, and drop-boxes (multiple options advertised).
• IHSS Advisory Committee: Regularly posts agendas/minutes; occasional cancellations noted in 2024.
• Transparency: No county-posted KPIs on IHSS application processing times or payroll timeliness found.

Available training (if applicable)

• PA offerings: “Introduction” class via Zoom and First Aid & CPR classes; orientation videos available online.
• State/partner resources: Provider education via CDSS (ESP/EVV) and statewide caregiver training organizations (e.g., CCA/Homebridge), when available.

Sources & Links

• Current wage:
  IHSS Law — 2025 wages;
  IHSS Advocate — 2025 list;
  official hub: CDSS IHSS Wage Rates.
• Living wage:
  MIT Living Wage — Fresno County (updated Feb 10, 2025).
• Union & bargaining:
  SEIU Local 2015 press release;
  Fresnoland — TA coverage (Apr 15, 2025);
  Fresnoland — BOS approval (May 20, 2025).
• PA operations:
  Program overview;
  Provider Registry;
  PA resources;
  Online enrollment & orientation;
  Locations & services.
• Advisory Committee:
  Fresno County IHSS Advisory Committee.