The California Caregiver of the Year Awards is accepting nominations starting Monday, November 17, 2025, to recognize excellent caregivers in California. These awards are presented by the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA).
Caregivers can be nominated in three categories:
1) Paid In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Caregiver
2) Unpaid Family Caregiver – an individual who cares for a family member at home without compensation
3) Nursing Home Caregiver – including certified nursing assistants, licensed vocational nurses, and other care workers.
Nominees for the Caregiver of the Year Award will be judged according to their demonstrated dedication, excellence, and positive impact on the lives of the consumers in their care. Caregivers are encouraged to nominate themselves.
How to Nominate a Caregiver for an Award
Entry forms for nominations, including self-nominations, in the three award categories are open from November 17, 2025, to January 30, 2026, at: advancecaregivers.org/california-caregiver-of-the-year-awards.
Nominations must be submitted online via a separate award website by Friday, January 30 at 6 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).
CCA, which is California’s most experienced provider of free, accessible training for caregivers, will offer a cash prize of $2,000 and a commemorative trophy to the winners in each category at a special ceremony in Los Angeles in 2026. Winners must be present at the ceremony to receive their cash prize and trophy.
CCA Values and Supports Caregivers
According to California‘s Master Plan for Aging, nearly five million family caregivers in California provide daily caregiving support to parents, spouses, and loved ones, helping them live safely and comfortably in their homes and communities. More than 750,000 caregivers are paid IHSS workers who provide care to eligible low-income older adults and people with disabilities at home for safer, independent living (based on California Department of Social Services program data). Additionally, there are approximately 145,000 workers employed in skilled nursing facilities in California who help provide support for assisted living, according to the UC Berkeley Labor Center.
“Caregivers are essential workers who play a critical role in supporting our most vulnerable populations, enabling them to live independently at home or to receive high-quality assistance in skilled nursing facilities,” said Corinne Eldridge, President and CEO of the Center for Caregiver Advancement. “The California Caregiver of the Year Awards recognize outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional skills, knowledge, and commitment to providing quality, person-centered care.”
To be eligible, nominees must:
- Be a California resident age 18 or older
- Have worked at least 20 hours per week as a caregiver throughout 2025
- Verify their eligibility via a signed form
For more information about the awards and to submit an entry form, visit:
advancecaregivers.org/california-caregiver-of-the-year-award
About the Center for Caregiver Advancement
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) 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.
