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.
Interested in becoming a more skilled, prepared, and confident caregiver like Dennisse?
Learn more about CCA’s IHSS Caregiving Essentials and Emergency & Disaster Readiness (EDR) courses.
Sources:
https://advancecaregivers.org/cca-celebrates-25-years-of-caregiver-training/
https://advancecaregivers.org/research-reports
Image Credits: CCA, Dennisse Hernandez
