SACRAMENTO – Recognizing the critical role of caregivers in supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities, California has launched the CalGrows program, an innovative Aged Care Training And Incentive Program. This initiative, spearheaded by the California Department of Aging (CDA), offers free job training and significant financial incentives, up to $6,000, for those dedicated to providing direct care. CalGrows aims to strengthen California’s health care workforce, ensuring high-quality care for its aging population while creating meaningful career pathways for caregivers.
The CalGrows program directly addresses the growing demand for skilled aged care professionals. Across the United States, and particularly in California with its large aging population, there is an increasing need for qualified individuals to support older adults and people with disabilities. This program acknowledges that direct care roles are not just jobs, but vital stepping stones to fulfilling and advanced careers in the health care sector. By investing in training and offering incentives, California is proactively building a robust and skilled workforce ready to meet the evolving needs of its communities.
CalGrows provides a comprehensive platform offering hundreds of virtual and in-person training courses tailored for caregivers. These courses cover a wide spectrum of essential topics, including specialized areas like Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia care, understanding and respecting Cultural Diversity in care settings, maintaining Food Safety, and implementing effective Infection Control measures. Furthermore, the program emphasizes enhancing Provider and Consumer communication skills, crucial for delivering person-centered care. Recognizing California’s diverse population, these courses are available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all caregivers.
“Investing in the skills and professional growth of our care workforce is paramount to ensuring the well-being of Californians,” stated Governor Newsom. “CalGrows represents California’s commitment to proactively addressing the health care worker shortage by empowering those who are already providing invaluable care to loved ones.” This initiative not only supports individual caregivers but also strengthens the entire health care ecosystem in California.
Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging, emphasizes the long-term vision of CalGrows: “As California’s population continues to age, the demand for direct care workers will escalate dramatically. CalGrows is a crucial investment in ensuring we have a sufficient number of well-trained home care aides, dementia care specialists, care managers, and other essential roles to support our aging population with dignity and respect.” The program is designed to cultivate a skilled and dedicated workforce capable of meeting the increasing needs of older Californians and adults with disabilities.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, highlighted the equity-focused approach of CalGrows: “Care workers often come from communities that are disproportionately affected by age-related illnesses. CalGrows is a testament to California’s dedication to supporting both caregivers and care recipients. By offering training in multiple languages and fostering career advancement, we are building a more inclusive and resilient aged care system, aligned with the goals of the Master Plan for Aging.”
The CalGrows program offers significant financial incentives as part of its commitment to caregivers. Eligible participants can receive up to $6,000 in financial support, recognizing the value of their work and encouraging retention in the field. Beyond financial benefits, CalGrows focuses on career pathway development, helping caregivers advance their skills and explore opportunities for professional growth within the health care sector. This holistic approach aims to create not just jobs, but sustainable and rewarding careers in aged care.
Free training opportunities are readily accessible through the CalGrows website, www.calgrows.org, catering to paid direct care workers, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) caregivers, and unpaid family and friend caregivers alike. The website allows users to easily search for courses by topic, location, language, and available incentives. For self-directed care workers within the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, additional training and compensation for training time are available through the IHSS Career Pathways program, further expanding access to professional development.
CalGrows is a cornerstone of the broader Workforce for a Healthy California Initiative, a state-wide strategy to create a health workforce that reflects the diversity of California and delivers high-quality care to all. This initiative is backed by a historic investment of over $1 billion from the 2022-23 state budget, demonstrating California’s unwavering commitment to building a strong and sustainable health and human services system. The Aged Care Training and Incentive Program embodied by CalGrows is a vital component of this larger vision, ensuring that California remains at the forefront of innovative and compassionate aged care.
