The Public Authority maintains a Registry to refer personal assistants/providers to any interested IHSS consumers. Public Authority staff interview potential providers and check backgrounds and references. They enter this information into a database that matches providers with IHSS consumers. The Public Authority then mails the consumers the names and contact numbers for several providers who meet the consumer’s specific service needs and preferences. Referrals are based on geographic location, language, service needs and provider skills. If an IHSS consumer wants to hire a registry provider they must call the Public Authority.