In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a social service that allows people who need long-term care to receive it in the comfort and safety of their own homes. In Amador County, over 500 IHSS workers provide long-term care services—including household work, personal care services, and paramedical services—to the county’s older adults and people with disabilities.

Without home care workers, our neighbors who receive services through IHSS would lose access to essential long-term care. Despite their vital role in Amador’s long-term care system, IHSS workers earn just $18.00 an hour—far below what’s needed to cover household expenses.

Amador IHSS workers are joining together to secure a strong contract that increases wages, improves benefits, and guarantees equitable access to long-term care for all who need it in our community.

Campaign Update: January 13, 2025

Amador homecare providers returned to the Board of Supervisors to voice their need for a strong contract, sharing the economic difficulties they and their fellow caregivers face.

“So many of our everyday costs are going up,” Lori Donaldson told the Board. “Groceries are going up. I use a lot of gas to drive my clients to their appointments, and my car has wear and tear.”

“I consider myself very lucky that I have family members I can rely on and that we can support each other in this economy. A lot of us would not be able to get by if we had some kind of financial emergency.“

IHSS provider Amber Coonce recently moved in with her care recipient, a woman who requires around-the-clock care. She said this choice was necessary as she doesn’t make enough to afford rent in the area.

“The cost of living here has gotten really bad,” she said. “It costs $1200 a month for a studio apartment in Amador. Getting a pay raise would mean we wouldn’t struggle from paycheck to paycheck.”

Campaign Update: December 16, 2025

With their union contract campaign officially under way, Amador County IHSS providers spoke for the first time at the Board of Supervisors to voice their need for livable wages and benefits. They argued that the county must attract more providers to meet the growing demand for care.

IHSS provider Lori Donaldson cares for four people in Amador, but said she’s received so many requests from potential clients that she’s had to turn them away. She said there is enormous demand for care in the county but not enough providers, and the only way to bring in more workers is a strong contract.

“There’s a few things we need to be more attractive as an occupation,” she said. “We need more of a living wage and additional benefits such as medical insurance.“

Donaldson argued the current wage isn’t keeping up with the growing cost of living. She said she was fortunate to live in a household with multiple earners.

“Someone couldn’t live on their own on my salary,” she told the Board, “even though I work more than a full time week.”