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Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) – Parent CNA Program

Parents as their child's Certified Nursing Aide (CNA)

Click Here To Learn About Northern Colorado Training Institute's Parent CNA Program

How do I qualify?
Your child must be eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).
  • You can check eligibility and apply for benefits at Colorado PEAK.
  • Contact Center: 1‐800‐221‐3943 | Monday ‐ Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Your child must qualify for CNA services.
You must be a certified CNA in the state of Colorado.
  • You have to complete a nurse aide training program through a vocational school or agency that is approved by theDepartment of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and pass a written and clinical exam.
    • Cost and length of time to complete nurse aide training differs from program to program. When you compare the cost and length of programs, keep in mind the success rate of the program’s graduates in passing the state certification test. Pass rate information is available on DORA’s website.
  • Contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) for information on transferring CNA certification from another state if you have current certification from a state other than Colorado.
You must be hired by a home health care agency.
  • Look for a Health First Colorado home health care agency in your area that hires parents as a CNA.
  • Ask area agencies if they will pay for or supplement the cost of your CNA training, materials and testing. If not, you will need to pay out‐of‐pocket.
What should I keep in mind when looking into becoming a parent CNA?
  • Your income as a CNA may impact your child’s Medicaid and SSI eligibility. Ask about and understand eligibility income limits.
  • If your child is covered by Medicaid through the Buy‐In program, your increased income as a parent CNA may impact your child’s Medicaid Buy‐In eligibility.
  • When you are a parent CNA and employed by a home health care agency, you have the same employee responsibilities as any other agency employee.
    • As a parent you need to give input regarding your child’s needs and plan of care.
  • It can be hard to separate your parent role from the role of being your child’s CNA; depending on your family situation, parent as CNA may not be the best option.
How can I learn more about becoming a CNA for my child?