I’m Mary—an IHSS caregiver in Santa Barbara and mom to an adult son with Coffin–Siris Syndrome. I left graphic design to keep him safe at home. Here I translate the IHSS maze into plain English: wages vs. cost of living, Medi-Cal vs. Social Security, union/county policy, and practical how-tos. Expect straight talk, data, and zero pity. Caregiving is real work—and this site treats it that way.