At this week’s Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting,

IHSS caregivers gathered to deliver a clear and urgent message: we need a living wage. One after another, caregivers stood before the Board to share their experiences—working full-time while still living below the poverty line, struggling to cover basic necessities, and carrying the emotional weight of caring for loved ones without adequate support.

Speakers emphasized that these conditions take a real toll on health and well-being, leaving caregivers stretched thin and families vulnerable. The current wage structure doesn’t just harm individual workers; it undermines the stability of the entire IHSS program. When wages are too low, it becomes nearly impossible to recruit or retain enough caregivers, which leaves the most vulnerable residents of our county without the reliable support they depend on.

The testimony was powerful and heartfelt, urging the Board to recognize caregiving as the critical work it is—and to ensure that those who provide it are not forced to live in poverty while doing so.

Click here to see the full video.