Reform is an oft-used word, but in many cases, does not meet the potential it promises.  Not so with San Diego County’s IHSS program. IHSS allows elderly and disabled individuals to be cared for in their homes as opposed to more expensive nursing facilities. By allowing individuals to stay in their home, it has proven to be more beneficial for the clients and less costly for the county. However, the system in San Diego and across the state was seeing skyrocketing cost increases. The county convened stakeholders, including a tax payer association, to analyze the program and make recommendations. 

With a reformed system in place, the county has seen expenditures drop $24 million and cost growth shrink from 8-10 percent annually, to just .2 percent.  Yet services are being maintained and San Diego County’s most vulnerable citizens are receiving the care needed to ensure a quality and dignity of life.