The Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) hosted the annual Health Care Leadership Awards on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. This year’s award ceremony recognized the accomplishments of individuals and organizations that make strides in providing better quality health care in Los Angeles, California. The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) was pleased to have its caregiver training program in partnership with L.A. Care and the SEIU Local 2015 named as a finalist in the Outstanding Collaboration category.
CCA Collaborates with L.A. Care and SEIU 2015 to Provide Caregiver Training
The “Outstanding Collaboration” category recognizes organizations that partner with others to provide health-related services. CCA collaborates as partners with the L.A. Care Health Plan and SEIU Local 2015 labor union to provide free caregiver training “IHSS Caregiving Essentials” to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers in the Los Angeles area.
Having our partnership program named as a finalist for this award among many distinguished nominees is rewarding for CCA, and the caregivers and communities we serve in Los Angeles County and other areas of the state. CCA remains committed to partnering and collaborating with other organizations that share our commitment to uplifting paid caregivers and strengthening home and community-based care for older adults and people with disabilities.
CCA is proud of its role as the California’s top provider of free, accessible training for long-term care workers. The training and skills that CCA provides to caregivers have been shown to improve their lives and job satisfaction, while also improving the health and quality of life of their care recipients. Since 2000, CCA has trained more than 35,000 home care providers, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other care staff in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). This is a legacy we are proud of, and it is very rewarding to be recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal for our contributions.
Learn more about the LABJ awards event here: https://labusinessjournal.com/events/hcla2025/
On August 27, 2025, the Center for Caregiver Advancement’s President & CEO, Corinne Eldridge, joined podcast host and Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan on the latest episode of the podcast “Workforce Rx” to discuss why home caregivers need training in caregiving skills. Many caregivers come to the role as a result of life circumstances, with no prior experience and no formal training.
Corinne Eldridge, President & CEO, CCA
“Caregivers come to this work because they have a big heart, but having a big heart doesn’t mean that they are prepared to do what is both a mentally and a physically taxing job,” says Corinne Eldridge, president and chief executive officer of CCA.
Why do caregivers need formal caregiver training?
As Eldridge explains it, giving caregivers access to free caregiver training is where CCA’s programs really help. For the past 25 years, CCA training programs have upskilled thousands of in-home caregivers in California. CCA courses cover the essentials of performing the job of a home caregiver, as well as providing them with skills that help them recognize symptoms and manage a variety of specific conditions that care recipients may have, such as diabetes, autism, and heart disease.
Studying the Impact of Caregiver Training Through Research
As Eldridge explains to Ton-Quinlivan, CCA has developed many partnerships with academic researchers so that CCA’s training outcomes can be studied and analyzed to help inform future coursework. The goal of this type of research is to determine which practical skills are most effective for caregivers, and which aspects of skills training improve the health and well-being of the care recipients they care for.
For example, a recent study on the efficacy of online training for workers caring for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD) showed that the training course improved knowledge and caregiving skills. It also boosted self-efficacy in managing symptoms.
Training That Opens New Career Pathways to Workers
Beyond developing relevant job skills, Eldridge sees training as a critical component in creating jobs that will attract and retain long-term care workers.
“Access to training makes you feel more confident in your work and actually keeps you in the work because you have something to look forward to and a way to advance,” says Eldridge.
In this valuable discussion on WorkforceRx, you’ll also learn about the need for culturally and linguistically competent caregivers. The discussion also includes the complexities of providing care to family members, and why Eldridge thinks these challenging times call for creativity in caregiving.
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) is committed to building the workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians can’t live without. CCA is the state’s most experienced provider of free, accessible caregiver training that focuses on a supportive, experience-based learning environment.
Research studies about the impact of our training programs help to advance policy initiatives to develop career pathway opportunities and build professionalization within long-term care. For more information, we invite you to explore our caregiver training programs and caregiving impact stories.
Image Credits: Futuro Health, Workforce Rx, Van Ton-Quinlivan; CCA
California is facing a mounting crisis in caregiving—one that’s driven by a rapidly aging population, growing demand for long-term care, and a shrinking workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, Americans aged 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 for the first time in history.
Nowhere is this shift more visible than in California, where nearly 10 million residents—one in five—will be over 65 by the end of this decade. By 2040, that number will rise to 22%, up from just 14% in 2020.
As the older population grows, the working-age population remains flat. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) estimates a 59% increase in adults 65 and older, while the number of working-age adults (ages 20–64) stays nearly unchanged. This will result in a record-high dependency ratio: 38 older adults for every 100 working-age Californians.
A Surge in Demand for Care Workers
An older population means greater need for healthcare and, more urgently, long-term care. According to the PPIC, one in three Californians over 80 will struggle to stay in their homes without assistance. One in five will face serious self-care challenges.
The care crisis doesn’t stop with older adults. Nearly 2 million Californians of all ages have disabilities that require daily help with basic tasks or mobility.
But while demand grows, the state faces a deep shortage of long-term workers who provide this essential care—both in people’s homes and in skilled nursing facilities.
Two Core Issues: Equity and Affordability
California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities receive care at home, rather than in institutions. But there simply aren’t enough IHSS providers to meet the growing need.
Meanwhile, affordability is a major barrier to getting healthcare services. According to the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), half of Californians delay or skip care services due to cost. Of those, nearly half say their health got worse as a result.
In many cases, people are being forced to choose between healthcare and necessities like food, housing, or transportation.
Challenges for the Workforce Behind the Crisis
Care workers—who form the backbone of California’s long-term care support system—face steep challenges. Many have no formal training in essential caregiving skills, which affects the quality of care they can provide their consumers, and also limits their earning potential and career advancement.
Low wages, lack of health benefits, physically demanding tasks, and long hours all contribute to high stress and high turnover. The result: fewer caregivers and more people going without essential help.
Access to formal caregiver training could make a big difference—not just by improving care, but also by giving workers the tools they need to succeed and stay in the field.
A State Plan for a Growing Crisis
In response to these demographic and workforce challenges, the State of California launched the Master Plan for Aging (MPA) in 2021. The plan offers a statewide “roadmap” to support older adults and people with disabilities through data-driven goals and strategic investments.
One major focus is expanding training and support for caregivers. Under the MPA, the IHSS program is growing, with help from partners who provide caregiver training, such as the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA). CCA and its partners have created training programs that give home care providers the skills they need to deliver high-quality care—and a pathway to increasing their earning potential, opportunities for better jobs, and career advancement in long-term caregiving roles.
Other training programs, like those that CCA offers in partnership with nursing homes and The Education Fund, are helping workers in skilled nursing facilities gain the skills they need to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Restorative Nursing Assistants (RNAs), and Directors of Staff Development (DSDs).
Bridging the Care Gap
California is not producing or retaining enough long-term care workers to meet current or future demand. At the same time, the long-term care workforce does not reflect the diversity of the state—another barrier to equitable care.
Older Californians are the most diverse age group in state history, and their experiences, cultures, and needs must be reflected in the care they receive.
As this population grows, programs that offer accessible, high-quality training for long-term care workers are more urgent than ever. Supporting this workforce is not only an economic priority—it’s a public health imperative.
About the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
The Center for Caregiver Advancement believes in building the workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians can’t 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.
Sources: https://asaging.org/ https://www.chcf.org/ https://www.census.gov/topics/population/older-aging.html https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-aging-population/ Master Plan on Aging
After years of setbacks, this CNA apprentice is finally getting the hands-on training and support she needs to prepare for CNA certification and launch her career in skilled nursing facilities.
When she was just in her twenties, Zanobia Pernell dreamed of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). While working as a housekeeper in a skilled nursing facility in Reno, Nevada, she kept her eyes open for training opportunities. She hoped for training in skills that would help her enter the healthcare field. When a CNA training program was announced at the facility, she rushed to apply—only to be told she was too young for the program.
A CNA Dream Was Deferred, But Never Forgotten
Disappointed but not discouraged, she spent years working in other jobs, always keeping that dream alive. “I really wanted to be a CNA,” Zanobia recalls. “But after that discouraging experience, I had to focus on other opportunities.”
Even after relocating to California due to a family emergency, she continued to search for an affordable entryway into the nursing field.
Now, at 33 years old, she has found her second chance, thanks to a unique opportunity to work as a nursing assistant trainee at Westview Healthcare Center in Auburn, California.
While browsing job listings on Indeed.com, Zanobia discovered a posting from Westview for the CNA apprenticeship program as a special perk of being hired as a nursing assistant trainee. It seemed to Zanobia like her early career dream might be possible. “It sounded like a great opportunity,” she says. “I’m so glad I found it.”
Westview is a member of both the SEIU Local 2015 labor union and The Education Fund. These organizations often collaborate with training providers like the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) and nursing home employers like Westview to offer worker education and skill development programs. Westview was able to enroll Zanobia and some of their other eligible workers in the CNA Registered Apprenticeship Program (CNA RAP) provided by CCA.
A CNA Apprentice Finds the Right Path—And the Right Support
Once Westview Healthcare Center hired her as a nursing assistant trainee, Zanobia became eligible for the free CNA apprenticeship program. Zanobia received fully supported training. Through CCA’s training program, she receives tuition-free Zoom classes led by a live instructor, a laptop computer, a uniform to wear during her clinical hours at the nursing home, and additional stipends to cover her materials fees, transport, and other expenses.
The support from my employer and the training partners makes it possible for me to attend classes without any hardship,” she explains. “By paying me for my work as a trainee while also covering the cost of my classes, they’re doing everything they can to help me succeed.”
Real Learning Happens in the Nursing Home
Classroom theory is one thing, but the clinical experience at the nursing home is where everything clicks for Zanobia. As part of her CNA apprenticeship, Zanobia works alongside experienced nursing staff. She is learning critical hands-on skills like assisting with catheters, giving residents showers, helping with mobility, and feeding residents properly.
I’ve learned how to take vitals, use a lift safely, and even observe wound care,” says Zanobia. “It’s amazing how much we learn just by being here and working side-by-side with experienced CNAs.”
She’s also gaining insights into emergency preparedness and resident engagement—skills that are often overlooked but essential in a nursing home environment. “We even help with activities and learn how to chart and document meals,” she adds. “This training has shown me how much care and attention every resident needs and deserves.”
A Future in Professional Nursing That Is Rooted in Family Tradition
Zanobia’s entry into healthcare is more than professional—it’s personal. Her aunt worked as a CNA at Kaiser Permanente for over two decades. Now, she’s proudly walking a similar path.
“This program is opening the door to my dream,” she says. “My family is so happy for me. They see how this is helping me.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and eventually explore training in ultrasound technology. But for now, she’s focused on gaining every bit of experience she can as a CNA. “This is the career I always wanted,” she says. “I just needed the right opportunity.”
A CNA Apprenticeship That Changes Lives
Zanobia’s story is one of persistence, hope, and the power of second chances. She knows firsthand how hard it can be to find and access an affordable, supportive path into the healthcare field. That is why she believes CNA training programs like this need to continue.
“There are a lot of people out there who want to be CNAs but can’t find a way in,” she says. “This kind of training could help so many people get started in the medical field. And the nursing homes really need more of us.”
And as her journey shows, it’s never too late to return to the path you were meant to follow—especially when it leads to providing older adults with high-quality long-term care in a nursing home. Zanobia is well on her way to a career as a CNA who truly makes a difference.
On July 8, 2025, Corinne Eldridge, President & CEO, Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA), joined host Robert Espinoza on the latest episode of his podcast “A Question of Care” to talk about why more people aren’t using consumer direction to guide caregiving.
Eldridge believes this is one of the most underrecognized options in long-term care. Eldridge and Espinoza also discuss why independent providers of care deserve better training, more government attention, and stronger policy support.
A Podcast Conversation About How to Boost Consumer Direction in Long-term Care
During the conversation about how consumer direction can help inform and improve caregiving, Robert asks the provocative question: “What would happen to families everywhere if more than 5 million direct care and childcare workers in this country were to vanish overnight?”
He explores the answers to this question, and the vast care network of independent providers with Eldridge, the leading expert in the space.
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) is committed to building the workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians can’t live without. CCA is the state’s most experienced provider of free, accessible caregiver training that focuses on a supportive, experience-based learning environment.
Research studies about the impact of our training programs help to advance policy initiatives to develop career pathway opportunities and build professionalization within long-term care. For more information, we invite you to explore our caregiver training programs and caregiving impact stories.
Image Credits: Robert Espinoza, A Question of Care; CCA
Training gives an IHSS caregiver the skills she needs to protect her young consumers in any emergency.
At the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA), we are continually inspired by the dedication and professionalism of the caregivers in our community. Behind every enrolled student is a powerful story of perseverance and a deep sense of responsibility. One such story belongs to Dennisse Hernandez, an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregiver who recently completed our CPR for Caregivers and Emergency & Disaster Readiness (EDR) courses.
Dennisse’s caregiving role is not just about clocking in and out of work—it’s about protecting the most vulnerable, even in life-or-death situations. And if an emergency happens, she now has the tools, knowledge, and calm confidence to help the consumers in her care.
Caregiving Requires More Than Common Sense and Intuition
Dennisse works for two different families as an IHSS provider, caring for two young boys — one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and one with epilepsy. Every day she steps into their homes, she becomes more than a caregiver — she becomes a guardian, a lifeline, and a trusted friend while their family members are away at work or school.
Though Dennisse had always relied on her instincts and common sense, she knew it wasn’t enough if a real emergency occurred. “I was doing the best I could,” she says, “but I felt 100% responsible for those children and, deep down, I knew I needed more than just my intuition. I needed training.”
When she received an email from the IHSS program about new caregiver classes being offered through CCA, she didn’t hesitate. “The moment I saw the email, I took action,” she recalls. “It felt like it came at just the right time.”
Learning Life-Saving Skills After Long Days of Care
Dennisse was able to fit the online classes into her evenings, after long caregiving shifts. She remembers feeling a little unsure at first, but that soon changed.
“The CCA teachers were wonderful, and the course booklet helped so much,” she says. “I did the homework, the pre-quizzes, and asked all my questions. I wanted to learn everything I could.”
Through the EDR course, she learned exactly how to respond in disasters like earthquakes or fires—how to evacuate with children who may panic, how to prepare a “go bag” filled with essentials and medications, and how to stay connected with families during chaos. She learned that she should always keep a list of emergency contacts with her so she can contact her consumers’ families to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
From Panic to Preparedness: “I Feel 100% Ready”
“Before this training, I would have been scared to make the wrong move,” Dennisse shares. “Now, I know what to do. I think I’ll be able to stay calm and focused—and I know what I need to do in any emergency.”
Among the most valuable lessons in the CCA courses were the first aid skills: how to sterilize and dress a wound, how to use gloves properly, and how to manage a child who wants to touch a cut. And when it came to CPR, Dennisse learned hands-on techniques that gave her even more confidence.
“The CPR class was empowering,” she says. “It’s something I hope I never have to use—but if I do, I’ll be ready.”
When It’s Time to Evacuate, She Won’t Hesitate
Now, when Dennisse thinks about an emergency like a fire or earthquake, she feels prepared. “I know I need to grab the go bag, get the shoes, and leave fast. It’s not about saving the house or grabbing valuables. It’s about keeping me and my consumers safe. It’s about saving lives.”
She’s even learned how to guide children with emotional or developmental challenges through those intense moments. “If my consumer doesn’t want to leave, I know that I can redirect the conversation. I will stay calm and speak to them firmly to help them understand we’re going somewhere safe.”
And she knows how to stay in touch with their families—what numbers to call, what evacuation centers to head to, and how to reunite everyone safely.
A Caregiver’s Training Can Change Lives—Even Beyond Her Own
Dennisse didn’t keep the new caregiver skills she learned to herself. She shared what she learned with her mother, who also works as a caregiver. “I wanted her to be ready, too,” she says.
This kind of ripple effect is something we see again and again at CCA: When one caregiver is trained, studies show that up to four lives can be positively impacted—the caregiver, their consumer(s), and their extended families.
“We’re Not Just Caregivers. We’re Protectors.”
Dennisse’s story is a beautiful reminder that caregiving isn’t just a job — it’s a professional calling. And when caregivers are equipped with the right skills and resources, they’re not just assisting people through the tasks of daily living—they’re also preparing to save their lives.
“I’m so grateful I took these classes,” Dennisse says. “Because now, I feel like a professional caregiver who can really make a difference.”
Giving Caregivers a Voice, Impacting Future Training
In May 2025, Dennisse visited the CCA and SEIU Local 2015 offices in Los Angeles, California for a CCA meeting with the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB). CCA is a grant recipient of the CWDB’s High Road Training Partnership program, which funded CCA’s most recent offering of EDR training courses. The CWDB supports programs that mitigate climate emergencies, such as wildfires. The CWDB team wanted to learn more about how CCA’s caregiver training can help build the skills needed by long-term care workers during disasters, such as the wildfires that tore through several Los Angeles communities in January 2025.
Dennisse spoke to the group about the practical skills she gained from her EDR and CPR classes at CCA, and how they prepared her to better assist her consumers during future emergencies. They were interested in hearing about which aspects of the training worked well for Dennisse and where she thought there might be room for improvement. The group also heard from consumer Cynde Soto, an adult with disabilities, who described how the EDR course increased her IHSS provider’s knowledge, making her feel more confident that they are both prepared for the next emergency in California.
Hearing the perspectives of an IHSS caregiver and an IHSS consumer proved to be very insightful, and will be used to inform training curricula as CCA develops future caregiver training programs that build more caregiver resiliency and meet the needs of both caregivers and the consumers in their care.
According to a study article by Jarmin Yeh, PhD, MPH, MSSW, et al. published online in a June 2025 edition of the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in California’s aging population necessitates a specially trained caregiver workforce.
The study article was co-authored by Dr. Yeh and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and collaborators at the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA). The study found that home care workers’ dementia knowledge and skills improved significantly after receiving condition-specific ADRD caregiver training.
For this study, Dr. Yeh and the researchers evaluated a multi-week online training program created by CCA to help caregivers provide specialized support to care recipients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The training was offered for free to IHSS providers through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program in California. The researchers assessed caregivers’ dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, distress, and depression before and after training. They also assessed care recipients’ use of healthcare services and care resources before and after the training.
Study Results Show That Training Improves Alzheimer’s Care
The study results showed that ADRD training significantly improved caregivers’ dementia knowledge, caregiving skills, and confidence. Care workers learned how to better support consumers (care recipients) who experience memory loss, wandering, sundowning, and related symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings are encouraging, but the study also showed that the ADRD skills training did not reduce caregivers’ distress and depression. Training also did not appear to decrease care recipients’ hospitalizations or visits to the emergency room.
The findings of this California-based study highlight the value of specialized dementia training for enhancing caregiver knowledge and skills. It opens up the possibility for similar training programs to be implemented across the United States. Future training curricula might include methods for bolstering caregiver self-care and well-being.
This is curated content using information from the original article. For details, please read the published article online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Source Citation: Yeh J, Beld M, Pond B, et al. Competency-based training boosts dementia knowledge and skills in home care workers. Alzheimer’s Dement. June 2025; Vol. 21, Issue 6:e70323. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70323
In this compelling video from the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC), you will hear personal stories from people with age-related needs or disabilities who receive much-needed services from in-home caregivers. Their caregiving services are provided through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program in California, which enables them to live quality lives with more autonomy and independence than they could have imagined.
In Their Own Words: “My Caregiver is a lifesaver.”
Hear firsthand accounts from consumers on how in-home caregivers from the IHSS program have changed their lives for the better. Discover how IHSS is a lifeline that upholds dignity, autonomy, and quality of life for thousands of Californians.
What is IHSS?
The IHSS program provides in-home assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals. In-home caregiving services can be an alternative to nursing home care. IHSS enables recipients to remain safely in their own homes by receiving care from an eligible care provider through the PASC Homecare Registry.
IHSS caregivers can provide services to individuals in their home — the environment where they are most comfortable. An IHSS provider may work with a care recipient (consumer) for many years. IHSS caregivers learn to be very sensitive to the needs of their consumers over time and often become like another family member, but they cannot know everything about providing care services without proper training. That is where the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) comes in.
CCA Provides Caregiver Training as a Partner to IHSS and PASC
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) is proud to partner with the IHSS and PASC to provide caregiver training. CCA caregiver training courses are offered free to eligible IHSS and PASC members. The CCA courses provide caregivers with the essential skills they need to improve the quality of care they provide to people with age-related issues, chronic conditions, or disabilities. Skilled caregivers help consumers better manage their health and their daily lives.
What Caregivers Learn in Free Classes at CCA
CCA caregivers learn practical skills, such as communication styles grounded in clear messaging and respect. Caregiving skills taught in CCA classes may also include how to use proper body mechanics when moving a consumer, optimal hygiene and sanitary protocols for germ control, safety measures to follow during emergencies, special approaches to use for consumers who have memory loss or specific conditions like diabetes, and more.
Whether you’re a caregiver, a policymaker, or someone who benefits from IHSS, this video underscores the urgent need to protect and expand access to these vital services for thousands of Californians.
When Georgina Hodgson-Castillo talks about caregiving, her voice carries a quiet strength, the kind that comes from years of lived experience. Her formal entry into caregiving occurred when she became a mother, but she says she was always a caregiver, right from the start.
Caregiver Training Brought Skill to a Job That Requires Heart
“I’d always wanted to be a nurse,” she shares. “I felt that I had the caregiver instinct in me.” That instinct first revealed itself when she was younger, helping a neighbor-mother care for her child. As an adult, Georgina provided part-time caregiving to older adults, while also providing care for her own son, Henry, who has intellectual challenges. Her days are filled with compassion, patience, and a sense of purpose. “When you do something with your heart, it pays back,” she says.
Gaining Skills & Confidence — Caregiver Training Through CCA
Although Georgina had years of personal caregiving experience, she knew there was more to learn. That’s why she decided to take the in-home supportive services (IHSS) Essentials caregiver training course offered by the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) in partnership with the L.A. Care Health Plan (LA Care). She learned about the program through a call from a CCA outreach coordinator, along with some text messages promoting available classes.
The training included vital caregiving skills—CPR, administering medication properly, nutrition, and more. But it was the CPR training that left the deepest impression on Georgina.
“The first time I learned CPR, I didn’t fully understand the responsibility it came with,” she says. The CCA course helped her see CPR from a more serious, practical perspective. She now understands the importance of not just knowing the steps to perform CPR but being mentally and emotionally prepared to act in the moment to save someone.
“I appreciated how supportive and reassuring the CCA instructor was. That made all the difference.”
The CCA instructor made sure all the students understood every aspect of each lesson. “She could see when some students were confused about the details—even through Zoom. She had a lot of patience with us, reviewed lessons if we were confused, and encouraged us to ask questions.”
Heart-Centered Skills Put into Practice
Today, Georgina applies the knowledge she gained through CCA in her day-to-day life as her adult son’s primary caregiver. One of the most practical skills she learned? Nutrition.
Henry, who has autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is high-energy and sensitive to sugar. “Instead of giving him medication for the ADHD, I manage his diet,” Georgina explains. “I don’t give him sweets after 4:00 PM, and I make sure he eats balanced meals.” Thanks to her attentive care and the healthy nutrition choices she learned, Henry is seizure-free, well-behaved, and thriving.
Georgina’s approach isn’t purely technical, it’s deeply intentional. She treats caregiving as both an art and a science, customizing her strategies to meet her son’s unique needs.
“I learned that good caregiving is about treating our consumers with dignity, compassion and clear communication.”
Some Caregiving Lessons Go Beyond the Textbook
One of Georgina’s favorite parts of the CCA classes was the opportunity to connect with fellow caregivers and hear about their experiences. During discussions, she shared a story about how she encouraged an older adult consumer to bathe by making the activity fun—inviting him to wear a suit afterward to make it feel special. This kind of creative thinking resonated with her classmates.
“We all shared our caregiving tips. I learned that giving a consumer more autonomy—even something as small as letting them take their own medication from a cup instead of placing it directly in their mouth—can make a difference.”
Georgina believes this kind of shared learning is invaluable for any level of caregiver. “It doesn’t matter how much you already know—even skilled nurses can learn more. There’s always something new that can help you provide better care.”
A Caregiver with Ambition — Aspiring to a Future in Nursing
Georgina isn’t done learning. In fact, she’s just getting started. She has her eyes on becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and is considering taking more classes through CCA. The bilingual instructors and welcoming environment have given her the encouragement to keep going. “I’d recommend CCA to anyone who is a caregiver or wants to become one,” she says with confidence.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that caregiving is more than a job—it’s a vocation. It’s a calling that requires both skill and heart, and Georgina embodies both in abundance.
A Tribute to Everyday Heroes Who Provide Skilled Care
In a world that often overlooks the tireless work of in-home caregivers, Georgina Hodgson-Castillo shines as a beacon of quiet resilience and compassion. She represents the many caregivers who go the extra mile because they genuinely enjoy providing quality, skilled, and compassionate care to another person. Her story is one of dedication, love, and a lifelong desire to grow. And in every action she takes—from preparing meals to practicing CPR—Georgina proves that caregiving, when done with heart, truly transforms lives.
About CCA’s Partnership with LA Care In 2017, the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) partnered with the L.A. Care Health Plan to provide training to in-home supportive services (IHSS) providers caring for its members. In 2019 and 2023, LA Care released utilization studies showing statistically significant drops in emergency room visits and inpatient utilization among its members whose caregivers completed their skills training through CCA.
An April 22, 2025 press release from the National Skills Coalition (NSC) announced the launch of the Care Workforce Advisory Council. The Council is comprised of a group of respected thought leaders in the care industry and supporting agencies. Corinne Eldridge, President and CEO of the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) was selected to join the Council. Eldridge and other Council members will draw on their industry knowledge and expertise to address urgent challenges facing the care workforce.
There is growing demand for care providers who can provide skilled assistance to aging adults and people of all ages who have disabilities and need long-term care. Skilled caregivers can provide support to consumers within their homes through in-home supportive services (IHSS) and other programs. They can also complete training and licensing to work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in skilled nursing facilities.
Despite the essential role that caregivers play in filling healthcare gaps, many care workers face low wages, long hours, limited benefits, and few opportunities for career advancement. This results in high turnover and instability in the home care and nursing home care sectors.
Through the Care Workforce Advisory Council, NSC’s partnership with care industry leaders aims to develop actionable strategies that will strengthen care jobs, and ensure that care workers have access to the skills training, and support they need.
