|
2025 Executive Director Recap:
Strengthening Support for IHSS
| | |
The year 2025 has been a journey marked by resilience, connection, and collective purpose for the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC). In January, I was honored to step into the role of Executive Director after 15 years of service with PASC. This transition offered me a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with advocates, recipients, and providers whose lived experiences are at the heart of everything we do. Their voices remind us of the profound impact that PASC and the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program have on thousands of families. Those stories guide my commitment to protecting access to essential services for both those who receive and those who provide IHSS support.
| |
This year also brought unforeseen challenges. The tragic Eaton Canyon fire deeply affected families throughout Altadena and the surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. PASC responded swiftly by identifying recipients within evacuation zones and reached out to approximately 600 recipients to ensure their safety and offer support. Through emergency hotel accommodations, food vouchers, and personal outreach, we sought to bring relief during a challenging time.
Beyond local emergencies, we faced statewide policy threats that could have significantly harmed our community. The proposed cuts included overtime for IHSS providers, reductions in Medi-Cal asset limits, and changes affecting long-term care access for undocumented immigrants. Through collaboration with partners across California, we stood firm in our advocacy to safeguard the IHSS program and protect seniors, people with disabilities, and the caregivers who support them.
Looking ahead, we remain vigilant as federal policy shifts emerge—including the anticipated “Big Beautiful Bill,” which will reshape Medi-Cal and impact IHSS eligibility. PASC will continue to advocate proactively, ensuring that our community’s needs remain front and center and that no one is overlooked.
| |
Throughout the year, we deepened our understanding of community needs through our most successful event ever, our Open House. We also conducted home care registry surveys, several virtual Town Halls, and numerous Recipient Handbook discussions that brought together both recipients and providers. These conversations are invaluable. They help shape our new educational materials, staff training improvements, and expanded outreach efforts. With the guidance of our governing board—made up of dedicated advocates and recipients—we remain committed to ensuring that every decision reflects the realities and lived experiences of the community we serve.
2025 Key Achievements
-
Return of the PASC Open House: After a six-year pause, we proudly relaunched our in-person Open House, welcoming over 1,200 registrations, offering 10 breakout sessions, and training 240 participants, our most successful event to date.
-
Expanded Tele-forums: We doubled our Tele-forums from once to twice monthly, bringing more than 2,000 IHSS recipients per Tele-forum into essential conversations.
-
Workforce Growth: To better meet rising IHSS caseload demands, we increased staffing by 15% across multiple departments.
-
Community Training: In partnership with the Center for Caregiver Advancement, we provided Alzheimer’s and Dementia training and Disaster Preparedness training to 1,800 providers and recipients, equipping them with critical skills.
-
Enhanced Call Center Operations: We launched upgraded software to streamline Criminal Background Check processing, enabling faster, more accurate responses to urgent provider clearance requests.
2026 Preview – Key Dates and Initiatives
-
January 2026: Governor Newsom releases the proposed state budget, addressing California’s current deficit.
-
PASC Disaster Preparedness Plan: Launch of a new training and webinar with a fact sheet and essentials checklist for recipients and caregivers.
-
Consumer Corps Meetings: Scheduled monthly; in January, we plan to collaborate with Justice in Aging to discuss Medi-Cal updates and new regulatory requirements.
-
Recipient-Led Handbook: A new tool created by recipients for recipients, supporting provider hiring, training, and supervision.
-
March 2026 – The Center for Caregiver Advancement Training: Continued essential training for IHSS providers, including a completion stipend.
-
May 2026: Release of the Governor’s May Revision, offering updated fiscal projections.
-
June 5, 2026 – PASC Community Engagement and Resource Event, formerly known as the PASC Open House. During the event, awards will be presented to the Recipient-Employer of the Year, the Advocate of the Year, and the IHSS Provider of the Year. Stay tuned for more information.
-
June 2026: Finalization of the FY 2026–2027 state budget, which will define PASC’s upcoming allocations.
Closing Message
As we reflect on the past year, I want to express my appreciation for the PASC governing board, our fellow Public Authority directors, our advocacy partners, and our dedicated staff. Your commitment, insight, and perseverance made this year’s achievements possible. As we enter 2026, I remain hopeful and confident in our shared ability to protect IHSS, uplift the voices of recipients and providers, and strengthen the systems that allow our community to thrive.
Together, we will continue building a future where every individual who needs care—and every caregiver who provides it—is supported, valued, and heard.
Sincerely,
| | |
Luis Bravo
Executive Director
Personal Assistance Services Council
| | | | | |
