FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2017
CONTACT: David Jackson, djackson@naco.org
Riverside County earns national achievement award for emergency caregiver program
WASHINGTON – Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Adult Services Division-IHSS Public Authority, has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents.
NACo recognized the program titled “Ensuring Safety: IHSS Caregiver Back-up System (BUS)” in the category of Human Services. The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Caregiver Back-Up System (BUS) is an innovative, 24-hour, in-home emergency caregiver program designed to provide stabilization services and support to elderly and disabled clients who are assessed to be at risk of harm due to caregiver absence and serious safety concerns. It is an enhancement to In-home Supportive Services, a statewide Medi-Cal benefit program.
The BUS system is a partnership between an identified pool of in-home caregivers who have agreed to respond to emergency situations on a 24-hur basis, Adult Protective Services (APS), the Public Authority (PA), and two local health plans; Molina and Inland Empire Health Plan.
“This innovative approach allows our Pubic Authority to respond to the emergency caregiving needs of our clients. It is a necessary and important service that is not available in many counties,” said Lisa Shiner, Assistant Director DPSS Adult Services.
NACo President Bryan Desloge said, “Counties overcome complex challenges, provide essential services and constantly do more with less. We applaud these Achievement Award-winning counties for outstanding efforts to improve residents’ quality of life.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2017 Annual Conference and Exposition July 21–24 in Franklin County, Ohio.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Award Program is designed to recognize innovative county government programs. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
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The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn more at www.naco.org
