Get Started as a Caregiver
Get tips for training success, guidance on what training you need to begin working and learn when you can access your caregiver benefits.
Your new career starts with training.
Follow these tips to prepare and feel confident as you begin your training.
Know your training requirements and deadlines.
Your employer can confirm your provider type, training requirements and deadlines.
If you are an Individual Provider (IP), your employer is CDWA.
Check your email and texts for training reminders.
If you do not have your own email account, you will need to make one and it’s a good idea to use the same email address for all caregiver-related accounts and activities.
Create your login for the Caregiver Learning Center.
To complete your training, you will need to log in to the Caregiver Learning Center. Follow the instructions sent to you when you first begin caregiving or learn how to get started online.
Take advantage of your learning resources.
The Member Resource Center is available to help you with questions about training and language support. See all your options for learning support.
You have access to many free and low-cost benefits, once you are a caregiver.
This includes affordable healthcare coverage, an employer-funded retirement plan, free slip-resistant shoes and much more. Use your Welcome Guide to understand your benefits and make the most of them.
Available immediately:
- Your learning benefits begin as soon as you decide to become a caregiver. This includes basic training to help you give high-quality care, plus many learning support resources to help you succeed.
- You also get access to job-matching through Carina. Individual Providers (IPs) can use the care-matching service to find steady work or more hours.
When you begin working 80 hours or more a month for 2 months in a row:
- You can enroll in high-quality healthcare coverage for as low as $25 a month. When you become eligible, you’ll get a letter in the mail inviting you to apply.
- You can get a free pair of Caregiver Kicks, slip-resistant shoes.
After 6 months of working as a caregiver:
- You’re automatically enrolled into your Secure Retirement Plan, which your employer contributes to. When you become a participant in month 7 or 8, you’ll receive a welcome letter.
After working as a caregiver for a while:
- You will have the opportunity to build your skill set, grow professionally and increase your technical knowledge through Continuing Education.
Training Requirements
Learn about your unique training requirements by your provider type.
If you work for more than one employer and/or have multiple roles or multiple clients, you may have different training standards than indicated by the chart below. A provider may fall into more than one category—if so, they must meet the higher requirements for training and certification.
Provider Type | Orientation & Safety | Basic Training | Continuing Education | Learning Library |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Contact your employer for questions about your Provider Type and training deadline. | Complete prior to providing care. | Complete by your deadline. | 12 hours required annually. | Optional Continuing Education. |
Standard Home Care Aide (HCA) Caregivers who take care of clients, part- or full-time. | Basic Training 70 | |||
Adult Child Provider Caregivers who care for a parent when related by marriage or domestic partnership. | Basic Training 30 | |||
Family Provider Caregivers caring only for a child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, grandchild or grandparent, including relations by marriage or domestic partnership. | Basic Training 30 | |||
Limited Service Provider Caregivers who work fewer than 20 hours a month. | Basic Training 30 | |||
Veteran Affairs (VA) Spouse or Domestic Partner Caregivers who service a spouse/partner through the VA homecare program. | Basic Training 30 | |||
Respite Provider Caregivers who take care of another caregiver’s clients or family members for a short period of time (less than 300 hours per year). | Basic Training 9 | |||
Parent Individual Provider (DDA) Parents who take care of their child with a developmental disability. | Basic Training 7 | |||
Providers with a NAC, OSPI, initial NAC, initial OSPI, or who are an active LPN, RN or ARNP NAC: Nursing Assistant-Certified, OSPI: Special Education Endorsement | You are exempt from Orientation and Safety and Basic Training. For more information on other required or optional training, please contact your employer. | |||
Member Resource Center (MRC)
If you have questions about enrolling, course options or completing training, contact the MRC. Support is available in multiple languages.
Language Support
Classes and course materials are available in many languages. Even if you speak English fluently, a course in your primary language may better set you up for success.
Peer Mentors
If you are a caregiver going through Basic Training and preparing to become a certified Home Care Aide (HCA), you can get guidance and support from Peer Mentors.
Support for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation in order to receive all of the Training Partnership’s programs and activities.
Learning Policies
Your class time is valuable. The following policies ensure a positive learning environment in which you are supported and have the opportunity to be successful.