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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board, acting as the Governing Body of the El Dorado County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority (PA), approve and authorize the Chair to sign the 2026-2027 Memorandum of Understanding between the El Dorado County IHSS PA and United Domestic Workers of America, AFSCME, Local 3930, AFL-CIO for the term of January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
FUNDING: Approximately 90% 1991 Realignment State funding and 10% General fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Each county in California is required to operate an IHSS program to provide personal care and domestic services to aged, blind, or disabled individuals in their own homes. The IHSS program allows individuals who are recipients of these services to live safely in their homes rather than in costly and less desirable out-of-home placement facilities. Under the current model, the individuals benefiting from these services are the employers of each individual provider, holding all powers and responsibilities of employers with the expectation of determining the total number of hours that may be worked during each work week as well as the salary and benefit levels.
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 12302.25, enacted in 1999, each county was required to establish an employer of record for IHSS PA care providers with the opportunity for representation by unions to negotiate for wages and benefits. As a result, on June 10, 2002, the County Board of Supervisors (Board) established by Ordinance (No. 4612, Title 8, Section 8.78) an IHSS PA for the purpose of serving as the employer of record for the individual providers of services. The Board acts as the Governing Board for the IHSS PA and, as such, designated HHSA to administer this program on behalf of the County. The IHSS PA is also responsible for maintaining caregiver registries, providing IHSS consumers with caregiver referrals, and providing for consumer and caregiver training.
In March of 2003, the UDWA, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, successfully established itself as the bargaining unit for caregiver providers in El Dorado County. Subsequent MOUs between the IHSS PA and UDWA have been agreed to and approved by the Board, acting as the IHSS PA Governing Body, the most recent of which was approved by the Board on February 11, 2020, with a term from June 30, 2017, through December 31, 2024 (Legistar file 20-0113). Pursuant to the MOU, the HHSA Director was authorized to submit rate sheets adjusting the IHSS PA care provider benefits and wages to the State of California, commensurate with changes in California minimum wage.
The County contracted with Industrial Employers & Distributors Association (IEDA) to represent the County in negotiations with UDWA (Legistar file 24-0584). Following previous negotiation models, on July 2, 2026, UDWA and representatives from HHSA, acting as representatives of the IHSS PA, tentatively agreed to a new MOU with a retroactive term extending from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, including a wage that includes the higher of state or federal minimum wage plus the previously agreed upon $.50 per hour for the duration of the MOU and an additional $.40 per hour upon execution of the MOU, with no other increases. The UDWA members voted to ratify the tentative agreement on July 24, 2026, and the MOU was processed for signatures.
In preparation for this item, the County submitted the proposed rate increase to the State for approval on July 31, 2026. Following Board approval of this MOU, the rate will become effective and is anticipated to be applied to payments beginning December 1, 2026, after the State approves.
ALTERNATIVES
Failure to approve the negotiated MOU would necessitate continued negotiations with UDWA and may result in the initiation of impasse procedures.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) 06/25/2013 Legistar file 12-0565, Continue IHSS PA/UDWA MOU
2) 01/05/2016 Legistar file 15-1462, HHSA UDWA MOU
3) 02/11/2020 Legistar file 20-0113, HHSA - In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority MOU with United Domestic Workers of America
4) 06/27/2023 Legistar file 23-0949, HHSA 7717 IEDA - IHSS
5) 05/21/2024 Legistar file 24-0584, HHSA IEDA IHSS Agreement 8491
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The negotiated increase of $.40 per hour effective upon execution of the MOU and associated terms is anticipated to cost the County approximately $370,000 over the remaining term. The program is currently funded largely by Discretionary Social Services 1991 Realignment Funding; however, additional General Fund support may be needed to address future impacts. The fiscal impact is included in the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget Request.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on original 2026-2027 MOU.
2) Clerk of the Board to provide one Certified Minute Order to HHSA at 3057 Briw Rd.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency