Rapid Response

(The Public Authority's Emergency IHSS Worker Replacement Service) 

As of June 16, 2003, Rapid Response is available, FREE, in all of Alameda County.

 IHSS recipients (consumer) living in Alameda County that have an urgent need for care because their regular IHSS worker is not available, can request a Rapid Response replacement IHSS worker at no cost.

Rapid Response Rules and Limitations:

ò  The Public Authority pays Nightingale Nursing to send out a Rapid Response worker to provide services that can not wait until the regular IHSS worker is available. The consumer must state an urgent need for service that is consistent with the program rules.

ò  Consumers can receive a maximum of 4 Rapid Response visits in any month. Only one visit can be provided on any day of the month.

ò  Services can not be scheduled more than 48 hours in advance

ò  Rapid Response provides between 1 and 4 hours of service each visit. Rapid Response staff provides the amount of service that is absolutely necessary to complete the urgent or critical tasks.

ò  Rapid Response can provide Urgent Personal Care Services (such as help with bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding) or Critical Domestic Services (such as cooking). Rapid Response workers currently cannot do routine housework, transportation or paramedical care (such as injections, wound care, insertion of devices into the body).

ò  Rapid Response staff that arrive to provide services can provide only those services requested during intake. If the worker arrives and is asked to complete other tasks, they will not be able to do so.

ò  While Rapid Response is provided at no cost to the IHSS consumer, any
Rapid Response hours provided must be deducted from your IHSS hours authorized for the pay period by Alameda County.  Public Authority staff report Rapid Response use to IHSS every month.

ò  Consumers that use Rapid Response frequently will be contacted by Public Authority to discuss other options and developing plans for obtaining needed services.

ò  Rapid Response can serve people whose primary language is not English.

IHSS recipients (consumer) living in Alameda County that have an urgent need for care because the regular IHSS worker is not available, can call

510 357-4222

any day, 24 hours a day, to request a Rapid Response replacement IHSS worker.

ò  Consumers that have no regular worker in place should contact a local Public Authority Registry Contractor for assistance in obtaining a list of available homecare workers seeking jobs and to get assistance hiring a homecare worker.