Report 2020-109 Recommendation 10 Responses

Report 2020-109: In-Home Supportive Services Program; It Is Not Providing Needed Services to All Californians Approved for the Program, Is Unprepared for Future Challenges, and Offers Low Pay to Caregivers (Release Date: February 2021)

Recommendation #10 To: San Diego, County of

To help ensure that recipients receive prompt approval for services and also receive all approved services, San Diego County should, by August 2021 and annually thereafter, complete required plans that include, at a minimum, specific provisions for how it will ensure prompt approval of services and that recipients promptly receive the approved services.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2022

An Annual Plan was implemented by the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency for the IHSS program during Fiscal Year 2021-2022. An updated Annual Plan was prepared for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and will be submitted as part of this update.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

San Diego County provided its second annual plan for review. We appreciate the county's commitment to ensuring that IHSS recipients receive services and service approvals promptly.


1-Year Agency Response

An Annual Plan was prepared by the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency for the IHSS program. The plan was implemented in July 2021 and submitted on August 25, 2021. This plan covers fiscal years 21-22 and will be updated annually.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

San Diego County submitted an annual plan for review in August of 2021. A new plan will be due in August of 2022. We look forward to reviewing that plan to determine whether this recommendation is fully implemented.


6-Month Agency Response

An Annual Plan was prepared by the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency for the IHSS program.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented

San Diego County submitted an annual plan for review. We look forward to reviewing future documentation about its implementation. We will assess whether this recommendation is complete based on implementation data, and next year's annual plan.


60-Day Agency Response

We continue to take measures to help ensure that applicants for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program receive prompt approval for services when eligible, and that those who are approved receive services to meet their assessed needs.

An IHSS Policy and Procedure Workgroup currently meets regularly to review data reports, make recommendations, and implement procedural changes to support the shortening of timeframes for intake processing and recipients in need of providers. This workgroup will develop a process for completing a comprehensive annual plan which will include specific provisions regarding how to ensure prompt approval of services and timely receipt of services.

By June 2021 a draft plan will be completed for internal review.

By August 2021 a final document will be completed.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending


All Recommendations in 2020-109

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.