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

Wages vs. Cost of Living

• IHSS provider wage (current): $19.63/hr (reflects state minimum plus county wage supplement schedule).
• Living wage (MIT, 1 adult / 0 kids): $30.54/hr (updated Feb 10, 2025).
• Gap: −$10.91/hr (IHSS ≈ 64.3% of living wage)

County History of Fair Bartering for Wages

• 2015–2018 MOU: Board-approved MOU for IHSS providers (SEIU Local 2015).
• Oct 2019 Side Letter: Adopted alignment for California minimum wage effective Jan 1, 2020 (foundation for supplement model).
• 2018–2022 MOU: Successor MOU confirmed in 2020 document record.
• Nov 2022: Board reached a tentative agreement putting providers on a path to a $20 floor by Jan 1, 2026.
• 2022–2026 MOU (wage supplement schedule): $1.43/hr (on ratification) → +$1.00 (9/1/2023) → +$0.40 (9/1/2024) → +$0.30 (5/1/2025) for a total supplement of $3.13/hr; with the 2025 state minimum this maps to ~$19.63/hr.

Pattern signal: Multi-year MOUs with an explicit wage supplement above state minimum, stepped up through 2025; documented use of side letters and scheduled increases.

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

• Timeliness benchmark (state oversight): Target is application approval within 30 days (or 45 with medical certification), then services within ~15 days after approval.
• Access/contacts: Contra Costa IHSS Public Authority, 500 Ellinwood Way, Suite 110, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 • (800) 333-1081 • Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.
• County IHSS program page: Local EHSD page notes provider pay and routing for enrollment/payroll questions.
• Payroll responsiveness (contract clause): MOU includes language to address payroll problems “in a timely manner.”
• Evidence gap: No county-posted KPIs (e.g., mean application-to-enrollment days, call answer time). Advisory Committee postings show multiple canceled meetings in 2023 (capacity signal), but no service-quality metrics.

Available Training (for completeness)

• PA training page: Highlights Electronic Timesheet (ESP) webinars and enrollment help; no standing skills calendar posted.
• Third-party options: Homebridge Caregiver Training Academy offers online courses (availability varies; not county-specific).

Other Relevant Context

• Wage supplement model: County uses a fixed-dollar supplement above the state minimum, which ratchets up automatically when the state minimum rises (per negotiated schedule).
• Records portal: Current/archived agendas and minutes (Board, PA, and committees) are available through county repositories for verification.

Sources & Links

• Current wage:
  IHSS Advocate 2025 wage list;
  IHSS Law 2025 list;
  official hub: CDSS County IHSS Wage Rates.
• Living wage:
  MIT Living Wage — Contra Costa County (updated Feb 10, 2025).
• MOUs & Board actions:
  2015–2018 MOU;
  2018–2022 MOU;
  2022–2026 MOU;
  Oct 2019 side letter;
  Nov 2022 tentative agreement (press).
• Public Authority:
  Contra Costa IHSS Public Authority — contact & hours.
• State orientation/EVV & ESP:
  CDSS — How to become a provider;
  CDSS EVV Help Center;
  Electronic Services Portal (ESP).