Frequently Asked Questions

CalGrows is a program of the California Department of Aging for caregivers of older adults and people with disabilities. To participate in this program, caregivers can be in-home or community-based. Both paid and unpaid caregivers can also participate in CalGrows.

The CalGrows program provides in-home and community based caregivers with:

  • hundreds of free training courses,
  • free 1:1 career coaching,
  • incentives of up to $6,000 for eligible paid caregivers.

Note: unpaid caregivers do not qualify for incentives.

No, there are no costs to participants. The CalGrows program is free.

Caregivers who live in California such as:

  • home care aides
  • care coordinators or care managers
  • dementia care specialists
  • non-IHSS affiliated, personal care assistants
  • activities coordinators
  • transportation providers
  • unpaid friends & family caregivers
  • and other unlicensed care workers

Only paid caregivers qualify for incentive payments. Unpaid family and friend caregivers do not qualify for incentive payments.

Yes. As long as they provide in-home or community care for more than 40 hours a month.

Yes, they are eligible.

Yes. Unpaid family and friend caregivers can take all CalGrows free for courses and use CalGrows coaching services. Unpaid caregivers do not qualify for incentives.

Note: Only paid in-home and community based caregivers qualify for the incentives.

Paid caregivers who live in and provide care in California who have been employed for a minimum of two months.

Unpaid family and friend caregivers do not qualify for incentive payments.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program providers or caregivers providing care in institutional settings such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities are also not eligible. IHSS Providers can qualify for incentives through the IHSS Career Pathways program.

Track 1 - Learn and Earn Program

This program offers up to $2,500 in incentives. Only Learn and Earn courses qualify for these incentives.

  • Level 1 - Learn: Up to $1500 — $30 for each hour of training for a maximum of $1500. May only claim incentives 1 time a month. Maximum of 50 hours of training.
  • Level 2 - Learn Bonus: $500 — Complete 15 hours of training in Level 1: Learn.
  • Level 3 - Earn: $500 — Complete 15 hours of training in Level 1: Learn and work 3 months at 40 hrs/month.

Cash incentives are provided by CalGrows.

Please go to https://www.calgrows.org/incentivepayments

This project ends on September 2024

Please check out CalGrows website: https://www.calgrows.org/

Please Read Carefully

The CalGrows Program aims to support individuals who commit to serving in home and community-based settings (HCBS) following the completion of their CNA training. As a recipient of this training from Northern California Nursing Academy, you are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

Work Commitment: You are required to commit to working in home and community-based settings (HCBS) upon successful completion of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) coursework funded by CalGrows.

Post-Completion Tracking: We will actively track your progress and employment status after you have successfully completed the CNA program. This tracking will help ensure that you are fulfilling your commitment to serving in home and community-based settings. Please be prepared to provide periodic updates on your employment status for verification purposes.

Alignment with Funding Purpose: The CalGrows Program is intended specifically for individuals who intend to work in home and community-based settings. Therefore, we are unable to support individuals who plan to transition to nursing homes or hospitals immediately after completing their training.

Evidence of Continued Service: You must provide clear and documented evidence that you are continuously serving in home and community-based settings. Failure to provide such evidence may lead to the revocation of the scholarship and potential repayment of financial obligations.

Individual

For individuals who wants to take free training, register and select CalGrows as your Financing option.

Click to Register

Organization

Provide free training for your employees, hire our student(s) or become our clinical partner.

Organization Interest Form

For more information about the CalGrows, please send an email to [email protected].