In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Independent Providers

Public Authority Services by Sourcewise offers free online and in-person training classes to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Independent Providers in Santa Clara County

News & Notices

Fall 2025 semester registration starts on August 25, 2025, at 6 a.m.

The fall class catalogs, which include information on when registration will begin, are currently being mailed to all active Santa Clara County providers. Fall 2025 classes are held between September and December.

View the class information to learn more about these free training classes available only to Santa Clara County IHSS Independent Providers.

To attend classes, pre-registration and confirmation are required. Students must follow all Student Guidelines.

The Fall 2025 catalog will be available in late August. Use the Online Registration Portal to view your training class history and register for classes.

Want to learn more about the Electronic Service Portal (ESP)?

Public Authority Services currently has material to help providers learn how to register for an ESP account. The information is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.

More materials will become available in the near future.

Annual Incentive Payment budget reminder

Santa Clara County IHSS Independent Providers who complete a Public Authority Services training class can receive $35 for each class completed until the budget is exhausted.

Life Enhancement Fund pays you back for classes

IHSS Independent Providers in Santa Clara County can apply to be reimbursed for the cost of taking certain classes beyond those offered by Public Authority Services. See the Life Enhancement Fund section for details.

Free self-paced Mental Health and Suicide Prevention workshop!

Take a free online Mental Health or Suicide Prevention workshop for senior care providers at your own pace!

Visit the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services to access the free training.

If you need to become an IHSS Independent Provider, start on the Enrollment page

LEARN MORE

Class Registration Portal

Learn how to login and use the class registration portal

Learn to access the account that already exists for you, find your way around the portal, and register for classes.

Subtitles available in Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese

Log in to the class registration portal and register for free training classes

Explore current semester classes offered in several languages and locations. Register or add your name to waitlists, view your current schedule, class history, and more.

Go to the Class Registration Portal

Having issues with the registration portal? Email the training department so we can help! Include your name and care provider ID number or last 4 digits of your SSN, as well as the issue you need help with to patraining@pascc.org.

If you need to cancel a class registration or waitlist placement, call the training department at least 48 hours—or as soon as reasonably possible—before the class. Calling to cancel your classes allows us to easily move another provider from the waitlist into your empty seat: (408) 350-3220.

To attend classes, pre-registration and confirmation are required. Students must follow all Student Guidelines.

Class Information

Certificate classes are free and optional to take for IHSS Independent Providers in Santa Clara County. There are two series of classes, which can be taken in any order. There is no time limit for earning your certificate once you begin taking classes.

Each class subject takes place in one 3-hour session and most subjects are availible in multiple languages and locations, including online.

IHSS Independent Provider Training Class Incentive Payment

Santa Clara County providers are eligible to receive a $35 incentive payment for each Santa Clara County Public Authority Services class they complete, until the annual class incentive budget runs out.

Payment of the incentive is managed by Public Authority Services by Sourcewise on a monthly basis. One check will be mailed from Sourcewise to each provider who completed a class during the previous month, and that check will include the incentive payment for each class completed during that month.

Series 1 Classes

CPR

Learn how to safely and correctly perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on adults, children and infants. Learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). 2-year certification is given at the end of class.

First Aid

Learn how to respond, with initial care, to medical emergencies until trained medical professionals can take over. Learn techniques for responding to sudden illnesses, allergic reactions, bleeding, heart attack or stroke, and stabilizing injuries. 2-year certification is given at the end of class.

Last Phase of Life

Learn to recognize the stages of grief and the common path of end of life; how to meet consumers physical, mental and spiritual needs during end of life stage; understanding comfort care and hospice care; and advanced directives.

Mental Health

Learn about common mental health conditions; common signs and symptoms to watch for; treatment types; and techniques to ease communication between care providers and a consumer with a mental illness

Nutrition

Learn about factors that affect good nutrition and how providers may be able to help; special diet needs; what bodies need from food, adjusting diet for age, culture, and preferences; and food safety.

Personal Care

Learn how to safely provide mouth care, bathing, feeding, dressing & grooming for consumers; learn how to safely change bedding in an occupied bed; learn infection control and prevention techniques.

Safe Lifting and Transferring

Learn to use proper body mechanics and equipment to transfer consumers from beds and wheelchairs to other furniture. Learn how to safely assist your consumer with walking and encourage physical activity.

Safety and Infection Prevention

Learn about infection control and prevention; basic personal care; universal precautions; Foley catheter care; colostomy care; basic wound care; and taking a pulse.

Understanding Diabetes

Gain understanding of diabetes types and causes, complications caused by diabetes, and overview care for diabetes; importance of diet, blood sugar management and following medication schedule; care for teeth, nails, and skin of a diabetic.

Series 2 Classes

Alzheimers and Dementia Basics

Learn the difference between dementia and signs of normal aging, and the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Learn simple strategies for connecting and communicating with those with dementia, as well as resources that can help.

Cancer Care Basics

Gain an understanding of cancer types, treatments and the importance of non-medical support. Gain greater understanding of the needs of cancer patients, and how cancer affects the whole person. Learn how to best support and communicate with a person diagnosed with cancer, as well as local resources that may help.

Caregiver Stress Management

Explore issues commonly faced by care providers, both family and non-family. Learn how to recognize and address your stress, and take care of yourself while caring for another person. Learn about community resources that may help you.

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

Gain information, tips and suggestions that you can pass on to your consumer to help prepare for disasters and medical emergencies. Learn how to put together an emergency plan and emergency kit; special considerations for the elderly or disabled during disasters; the best way to handle medical emergencies, and more.

Falls Prevention

Build awareness on risk factors that may cause falls for older adults and people with disabilities. Learn strategies that may help you keep yourself, your consumer, and the living environment safe and clear of fall hazards, as well as simple exercises to help build strength and balance.

The Skilled Care Provider

Gain basic knowledge, tools and skills that can help you on your path as a care provider. Learn about mandated reporting, caregiver ethics, building trust and good relationships, hazards and safety for providing in-home care, universal precautions, taking care of yourself, basic emergency preparation, and more.

Semester Information

We offer two semesters of classes each year. The class catalog for upcoming classes is made available in January for the spring semester and August for the fall semester.

Providers may register for up to nine (9) classes per semester. If they wish to, providers can retake classes every three (3) years; every two (2) for CPR and First Aid.

You can log in to your Class Registration Portal account to view upcoming classes after the semester opens. You’ll also be able to download and follow the class registration instructions from the class catalog.

See the training FAQ for more information.

Pre-registration and confirmation are required.

Students must follow all Student Guidelines. View the PDFs below to read the guidelines for providers attending Public Authority classes:

Student Guidelines

English

Chinese

Spanish

Vietnamese

Brush up on skills anytime by watching independent provider skills videos

LEARN MORE

Life Enhancement Fund

You pay for a pre-approved class, we pay you back!

Santa Clara County independent providers can be reimbursed up to $500 per year for the cost of tuition and textbooks for classes taken outside the subjects offered by Public Authority Services.

Reimbursement must be pre-approved. Applications for the fund must be received 30 days before the class begins.

Click Here to Fill and Submit the Form Online

A Life Enhancement Fund has been established for IHSS Independent Care Providers (IPs) in Santa Clara County. IPs shall be reimbursed from this fund a maximum of $500.00 per fiscal year for the cost of tuition and textbooks (but no other materials) to attend approved programs or courses of education and training outside those offered by Public Authority Services.

Please note the following conditions:

1. The program or course must be done while on off-duty status.
2. The program or course must teach an in-home care provider a skill relevant to the consumer’s wellness or improvement of the care provider’s job functions.
3. Application must be submitted no less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the beginning date of the course or program. The Public Authority Services (PA) will review the application and notify the IP of approval or denial within ten (10) business days after receiving the application. *
  - If you have multiple classes, please submit an individual LEF application per class.
4. The IP must begin and successfully complete the program or course while employed by a consumer or be active on the Registry.
  - IPs must submit to PA a request for reimbursement together with any receipts for tuition and textbooks, accompanied by the class syllabus and a copy of the school grade report or a certificate of successful completion, no later than 60 days after completion of the class. Any reimbursement requests and accompanying receipts/class syllabus received after 60 days of class completion will be rejected for payment.
5. Should the amount dedicated to the Life Enhancement Fund be exhausted in any given fiscal year, further applications will not be accepted that year. A fiscal year is typically considered to run from July 1 to June 30.

*PA will request supplemental documentation if necessary.Please complete and submit the attached application using one of the following:

Online:

Email: patraining@pascc.org

Mail: Public Authority Services by Sourcewise

RE: Life Enhancement Fund

3100 De La Cruz Blvd, Suite 310

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Name:(Required)

Date:(Required)

Address:(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Phone:(Required)

Provider ID #:(Required)

Provider Status:(Required)

Active/Working

Active on the Registry

Not Active/Not Working

Class/Course Name:(Required)

Website page for course description:(Required)

What is the name and address of the institution offering the class? (For example: name of community college, adult education, community center, Red Cross, etc.)(Required)

Class start date:(Required)

Class end date:(Required)

Please describe briefly how the class will teach a skill relevant to the consumer's wellness or improvement of a care provider's job:(Required)

What is the cost of:

Tuition:(Required)

Textbook:(Required)

Total Tuition and Textbook:(Required)

Download the application now!

English

Chinese

Spanish

Vietnamese

Not sure where to start? Explore classes offered at Santa Clara County Adult schools:

FUHSD Adult School in Sunnyvale

Do you want to take a free class in Medical English? Please call FUHSD Adult School for information at (408) 522-2700

ESUHSD Adult Education in East San Jose

MHCAS Adult School in Morgan Hill

MUSD Adult Education in Milpitas

MVLA Adult School in Mountain View

Santa Clara Adult Education in Santa Clara

Santa Clara County Fire Department Community Education

Want to find work with more IHSS consumers? Apply to join the Public Authority Services Registry!

LEARN MORE

Electronic Service Portal Training

Learn how to register for and use the Electronic Services Portal (ESP). IHSS providers can take care of their payroll needs online on the ESP.

ESP Video 1(English)

Closed captioning coming soon for Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

English PDF:

Registering for an ESP Account

ESP Overview

Financial Setup and Review

Timesheet (coming soon)

Spanish PDF:

Registrarse Para Una Cuenta

Información general de lo que puede hacer en el portal

Configuración y Revisión Financiera

Hoja de Registro de Tiempo (muy pronto)

Chinese PDF:

注册帐户

门户网站功能概览

财务设置与审核

考勤表 (即將推出)

Vietnamese PDF:

Đăng Ký Tài Khoản

Thông Tin Tổng Quan Về Những Điều Bạn Có Thể Thực Hiện Trên Cổng Thông Tin

Thiết Lập và Đánh Giá Tài Chính

Bảng chấm công (Sắp có)

Training FAQ

Am I eligible to register for classes?

You must be connected to an IHSS consumer’s case in Santa Clara County and must have a current payment, or be an active member of the Santa Clara County Public Authority Services Registry.

How accessible are the training classes for our diverse population?

Currently, most class subjects are available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Classes may be offered online via Zoom and in-person in Milpitas, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill.

Am I required to take these classes as an IHSS Independent Provider?

These classes are optional. You can take as many or as few as you would like.

How often are classes available?

Two semesters are available each year. The spring semester is open between February and May. The fall semester is open between September and December.

How do I know if I have been registered for the classes I have requested?

You can view your own class schedule by logging into your Registration Portal Account, clicking your name in the top right of the screen, viewing “My Account”, and scrolling to the bottom to see “My Registrations.” Waitlisted classes, and your registration history, will be listed in the “All Registrations” tab.

If you have never logged into your account on the registration portal, view the tutorial video to learn how: Tutorial Video

Also, at the end of each month during the semester, you will be mailed a reminder letter of all the upcoming classes you are confirmed or waitlisted for.

Do I get paid for taking these classes?

Santa Clara County IHSS Independent Providers receive a $35 incentive payment for each Public Authority Services training class they complete, until the annual incentive payment budget runs out. Failure to follow all student guidelines and/or complete any required quizzes will result in not receiving credit for completing the class, which means no incentive payment will have been earned.

Incentive payment checks are mailed automatically to providers who completed classes during the previous month.

Due to the time needed to process and mail the incentive checks, these payments are generally received in the third week of each month.

Will I get paid for taking the training class if the annual incentive budget is exhuasted?

If the annual incentive payment budget is exhausted, providers will not be paid for taking the classes. They can still take the class for class credit of completion without receiving the $35 for completing the class.

Will I receive tax forms from incentive payment or LEF reimbursement?

Sourcewise will issue one 1099-NEC form to providers who received $600 or more during a calendar year.

The $600 is a combined total payment from the incentive payment and LEF reimbursement during the calendar year.

How do I receive the incentive payment after taking each class?

Monthly, Public Authority Services tracks class completion and a check is mailed from Sourcewise for the classes completed during the month. Checks will be received by providers two and a half to three weeks after the month’s end.

Are there limits to how many classes I can take?

Due to the large number of providers in Santa Clara County, you are limited to nine classes per semester and must wait three years before you can repeat a class, with the exception of CPR and First Aid which can be repeated every two years.

What can I use the certificates for after I have earned them?

The Series 1 and Series 2 classes have been written specifically for IHSS Independent Providers with the understanding that the consumer is the ultimate trainer on how services should be performed.

Therefore, the certificates can be added to your IHSS provider resume when interviewing for work with IHSS consumers.

How do I earn the certificates to add to my caregiving resume?

You must complete all classes in either Series 1 or Series 2 to earn that certificate. A separate 2-year certification is earned when you complete CPR or First Aid.

How do consumers know which training classes and certificates I have completed?

Members of the Public Authority Registry have their profiles updated after each semester to reflect the classes they have completed and training certificates they have earned. This information is included in referral lists sent to the consumers.

If you are not a member of the Registry, you can request a letter listing your completed classes by calling the training department at (408) 350-3220.