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We are proud to announce that Northern California Nursing Academy is officially a Caring4Cal Health Workforce Innovation Fund Grantee!
Caring4Cal is a workforce development program created to expand, enhance, and strengthen California's Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) through free training, coaching, and incentives.
This initiative works to increase access to health services for rural communities, children with complex medical conditions, individuals with disabilities, and care for older adults.
As a grant recipient, we have a goal to train 250 individuals in the following programs:
- CNA - Nurse Assistant
- HHA - Home Health Aide
- RNA - Restorative Nurse Assistant
- CPR Certification
To participate in this project, please complete the Registration Form below.
About Caring4Cal
Caring4Cal, an initiative by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), offers licensed providers and individuals aspiring to become licensed providers access to free training courses, career coaching, and incentives of up to $2,750 to increase worker satisfaction and retention.
Licensed or certified healthcare providers who would like to work in-home and those who would like to start a career providing care in-home and community settings have access to the following services:
- Hundreds of no-cost training courses that boost care provider skills and accelerate careers
- Free personal coaching to help set goals, develop an action plan, and stay on track
- Paid incentives of up to $2,750 for eligible care providers
Caring4Cal supports Californians in developing the skills and knowledge essential to starting or growing a career as a licensed or certified healthcare provider in the home and community.
Visit caring4cal.org to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Caring4Cal is a program funded by HCAI to expand, enhance, and strengthen California's Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
The Caring4Cal program provides current and interested in-home and community- based providers in eligible job roles with:
- hundreds of free training courses
- free career coaching
- incentives of up to $2,750
Note: Providers must be in one of the eligible job roles highlighted in the eligibility section OR be working to become an eligible provider.
No. There are no costs to participants. The Caring4Cal program is free.
Current licensed or certified or eligible providers (see eligible job roles below) who work in home- or community-based settings or people interested in becoming an eligible provider in a home- or community-based setting.
Eligible Job Roles:
- Home Health Aide (HHA)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Community Health Worker (CHW) in home settings only
- Other, including but not limited to: Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Social Workers
Note: You must live in California.
A home- or community-based setting refers to a living arrangement where individuals receive care, support, and services in their own homes or in a community setting rather than in an institutional facility like a hospital or nursing home. This setting is designed to promote independence, comfort, and a sense of belonging within a person's familiar environment.
Examples of home- and community-based setting includes Adult Day Care, AIDS Waiver, Assisted Living Waiver, provider Resource Centers, Community-Based Adult Services, Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver, Multipurpose Senior Services Program, Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
- Hospitals (e.g., rehabilitation long term care, and psychiatric hospitals)
- Nursing Home
- Inpatient Facility
- Outpatient Clinic
- Intermediate Care Facilities
Yes. Caring4Cal is an opportunity for those interested in becoming an eligible provider in a home- or community-based setting — even without experience. Those who are interested can take courses, receive free career coaching, and apply for incentives.
In order to qualify for the retention bonus, they must show proof of registration for a licensure/certification course or exam.
No, unless they want to become an eligible provider such as a Home Health Aide (HHA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) , Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Registered Nurse (RN) and work in-home or community-based settings.
he Caring4Cal program has one incentive track. Providers or potential providers can earn up to $2,750. Note - you may only claim each incentive level once.
Level 1 - Jump Start: $500 - Completion of 15 hours of training
Level 2 - Leap Forward: $750 - Completion of an additional 15 hours; must have already submitted a Level 1 claim
Level 3 - Recruitment & Retention: $1,500 - Already submitted Levels 1 & 2. Type of proof is dependent on either potential providers or current eligible provider. Refer to the "Get Paid" page for more information.
- Proof of employment in an eligible job role and setting in California for at least 40 hours for one month since beginning of program (CHW must be in a home-based setting) OR
- Proof of registration for license/cert exam OR
- Proof of an eligible license/cert earned during the Caring4Cal program OR
- Proof of registration for, or application to, coursework toward a license or certification in an eligible job role. OR
- Proof of 40 hours work/month in California for 4 CONSECUTIVE months or more since the beginning of the program, with the most recent month in a qualified job setting.
* People who are earning a license or certification can use these forms as proof for Level 3. Their license or certification must be earned during the program period.
The Caring4Cal program is for current and interested in-home and community-based providers in eligible job roles.
Those who qualify for incentives are individuals who:
- Are working to earn a license/certificate and intend to work in home- and community-based settings.
- Have a license/certificate, work in an institutional setting and plan to switch to home- and community-based settings.
- Have a license/certificate, work in home- and community-based settings, and want to enhance their skills.
- Have the title Community Health Worker (CHW) and work or intend to work in a home-based setting.
The Caring4Cal program goes through May 31, 2024. Caring4Cal participants can claim incentives at any time, though claims must be submitted here before May 1, 2024. Qualifying incentives may be paid out after that date, depending on when the claim was submitted and approved, and if there are funds remaining in the incentives pool. Participants can only claim each incentive level once.
Please note there is a limited amount of funding available for the incentive program. Once the program runs out of funding, incentives will no longer be available. Therefore, it is best to complete the incentive payments claim as soon as eligible.
Please check out Caring4Cal website: https://www.caring4cal.org/
Eligible Courses
Nurse Assistant (CNA)
The Nursing Assistant Program prepares students to provide quality care to residents in nursing care facilities and patients in hospital settings. Course instructions are held both in a classroom setting and in clinical facilities. The course requires completion of 160 hours with 17 modules that are focused on various aspects of residents’ care, such as Patient Care Skills, Body Mechanics, Medical/Surgical Asepsis and Nutrition. The program is based on the California Department of Public Health Services (CDPH) guidelines. Upon completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to take the CA State Certification Exam.
Learners will have the option to complete the program in a hybrid format or in person. Clinical training is conducted in affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities.
Home Health Aide (HHA)
The Home Health Aide Training Program intends to build upon the knowledge, skills and abilities that individuals possess as nurse assistants. This 40-hour program is designed for those who are already Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs). The curriculum is structured to provide theory and practical application in a home setting. Learners will have to complete the program in person.
Restorative Nurse Assistant (RNA)
This is a 16-hour course that will improve the knowledge base and clinical competencies of Certified Nursing Assistants to care for residents who require assistance with functional abilities. RNAs provide follow-up and support services for the licensed Physical Therapist (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) who may only be available on an as-needed basis. The content focuses on physical rehabilitation, body movements and recovery process. Learners will have to complete the program online (self paced).
CPR/BLS
The CPR/BLS course combines lectures, demonstrations, hands-on training and practice. Participants learn to recognize and respond to emergencies including shock, cardiac and breathing emergencies for adults, children and infants, heat and cold emergencies, sudden illness and poisonings. Additionally, participants will learn first aid for everything from cuts and scrapes to muscle, bone and joint injuries. Learners are required to complete this program in person.