After hearing the pleas of several elderly and disabled residents, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to delay shifting 350 residents into a county-run assistance program.

The county Social Services Department had requested a six-month extension to its contract with Addus HomeCare, a national company that provides in-home assistance to residents. During that period, the department planned to slowly shift clients from Addus to a county-run program, the Public Authority Registry, which is a database that matches qualified providers with people who need help, said Kathy Gallagher, Social Services director.

At the end of the six-month period, Gallagher said, the department planned to terminate the contract.

However, the supervisors said they didn't feel comfortable terminating the contract until they understood how it would affect Addus clients and providers.

They board agreed to extend the contract for six months, until Dec. 31, and directed Gallagher to report back in three months on the county's costs for running the program and whether the clients would receive the same services under the registry.

“One of the things that I'm really, really concerned about is we've seen elderly people come before us and express concerns about what is proposed,” said 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno of Santa Maria. “I will not be a part of any decision made by this board that will put our elderly people in harm's way, period.”

First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal of Montecito also said he was strongly against any transition, adding that he's troubled “to think of the anxiety that recipients are living under by continuing to hang a transition over their heads.”

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Gallagher said that the main reason for the switch is a cost savings of approximately $5 an hour per client under the registry, which already handles nearly 85 percent of the nearly 2,600 people enrolled in the county's in-home supportive services.

Third District Supervisor Brooks Firestone of the Santa Ynez Valley said it was hard to ignore a change that could save a significant amount of money, suggesting he could support the transfer in the future.

“I find it hard to deny the facts of the matter here,” he said.

Numerous Addus clients lobbied the board for a long-term extension of the contract, and said they have received exemplary service for dozens of years, and may have to leave their homes if the change is approved.

“I want to stress the need for the Addus contract to be renewed and for a lot more than six months,” said Bea Howorth, Addus client. “If we have to go through this terrible stress every six months, it's not helping us get any better. We must have this service continued, regardless of whatever services they are proposing.”

The company's employees also argued in favor of an extension, and said they would lose paid vacation and sick time and mileage reimbursement if they are forced to become providers under the registry.

“I would ask that you not only continue the program for six months, but extend it,” said provider Clara McDonald. “Can you afford not to?”

Randi Block can be reached at 347-4580 or rblock@santamaria

times.com.

June 28, 2006