What is Protective Supervision?

Simply put, Protective Supervision is an IHSS service for people who need to be observed 24 hours a day to protect them from injury. The person eligible for Protective Supervision must have a “mental illness” or “mental impairment” that impairs their judgement, memory and orientation. For example, a parent (Provider) has an autistic child that is constantly engaging in dangerous activities or unknowingly harms them self. The parent may be able to receive payment for the hours they spend watching over their child. Parent providers can get 195 or 283 hours per month when their child is granted Protective Supervision.

Continue reading if you’d like to know more about Protective Supervision. If you are ready to apply for PS, continue on to: “How to Get Protective Supervision“.

Who Can Get Protective Supervision?

Three criteria that a person must meet in order to be granted PS.

A “mental impairment” or “mental illness” that causes functional
limitations in memory, orientation and/or Judgment.

Impairments must cause the person to experience confusion
and an inability to self-direct their behaviors to keep them safe and free from harm or injury. Known as “non self-directing“.

The county must also determine that the recipient needs to be
observed 24 hours a day in order for the recipient to safely
remain at home.

Non Self-Directing Behavior

The definition of nonself-direction can be found in All County Letter 15-25 and states:

For the purpose of Protective Supervision eligibility, nonself-direction is an inability, due to a mental impairment/mental illness, or individuals to assess danger and the risk of harm, and therefore, the individuals would most likely engage in potentially dangerous activities that may cause self-harm.

Non Self-Directing Behaviors

Climbing on high objects that they can fall from
Banging their heads (walls, floors, other objects or people)
Slapping/Punching themselves
Scratching until blood is drawn
Chewing of their fingers
Eloping and wandering off
Bolting out open doors
Running into streets/traffic
Following or running off with strangers

There is no age minimum for Protective Supervision.

The determination of nonself-direction is step one in a four step assessment process and must be documented by outside professionals. PS services can be difficult to obtain and requires clear documentation of why the person needs this IHSS service.

*It is important to understand that PS is not awarded for aggressive, anti-social, or episodic behaviors.

Protective Supervision Programs:

There are four IHSS programs that grant hours for PS. With-in each of these four programs the person is categorized as being “non-severe” or “severe”. If the person is proven to be “non-severe” then they will receive 195 hours per month. If the person is proven to be “severe” then they will receive 283 hours per month.

IHSS Programs With Protective Supervision Hours

Program	Non-Severe	Severe
IHSS-R: IHSS Residual Program	195 hrs	283 hrs
IPO: IHSS Plus Option	195 hrs	283 hrs
PCSP: The Personal Care Services Program	195 hrs	283 hrs
CFCO: Community First Choice Option	195 hrs	283 hrs

More Details and Resources

If you’d like to get more technical details and read the Protective Supervision laws and regulations, see the following resources.

If you are ready to apply for PS, continue on to: “How to Get Protective Supervision”

Click the button below to get a free advocate evaluation of your child’s IHSS Protective Supervision case.

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