The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) – California’s most experienced provider of free, accessible training for home caregivers – is introducing a new online caregiver training program, Pathways to Professionalization for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Workers in Northern California. The program will include CCA’s caregiver training courses: Emergency and Disaster Readiness (EDR) and Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias (ADRD). The program also offers eligible IHSS workers payment for their hours in classes.
IHSS Workers Can Access Free Online Caregiver Training in California
Enrollment begins in October 2025 for caregiver training courses that start in February 2026. IHSS workers in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties in Northern California will be part of a pilot program in self-paced e-learning, with a curriculum covering ADRD and EDR skills.
Courses will be available in English, Spanish, and Cantonese and are designed to increase caregiver knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to provide high-quality care to their care recipients.
“Caregiving is skilled work,” says Center for Caregiver Advancement CEO Corinne Eldridge. “Providing access to training helps IHSS caregivers to deliver higher quality care, and to stay and grow in their profession, which California needs more than ever as it confronts growing demand for long-term care and a shrinking workforce.”
IHSS Workers Who Receive Caregiver Training Provide Better Care, Research Shows
Studies by third-party researchers demonstrate that CCA training increases caregiver knowledge and practical skills, which can increase job confidence, efficacy, and earning potential. One study showed that consumers who received care from trained caregivers had a 25% reduction in emergency room visits and a 30% reduction in hospital readmissions.
To reach more IHSS workers, CCA is partnering with county public authorities that are part of California’s IHSS program, which helps low-income older adults and people with disabilities receive care at home for safer, independent living. Program partners also include statewide organizations that represent IHSS caregivers and consumers, such as the California IHSS Consumer Alliance (CICA), California Association of Public Authorities for IHSS (CAPA), and SEIU Local 2015.
In Santa Clara County, Public Authority Services Director Edith Gong says, “We are enthusiastic about our new partnership with CCA to train our community’s caregivers with the skills that they and we need today.”
Learn More
Visit the Pathways to Professionalization for IHSS Workers program page to learn more and find enrollment and eligibility information: https://advancecaregivers.org/pathways-to-professionalization/
About the Center for Caregiver Advancement
The Center for Caregiver Advancement believes in building the workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians cannot live without. We are the state’s most experienced provider of free, accessible training that focuses on a supportive, experience-based learning environment. Our impact studies advance policy initiatives to develop career pathway opportunities and build professionalization within long-term care.
Image credits: gpointstudio, Freepik
