Parent CNA Program

In the State of Colorado, a parent or family member can become a paid Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for their special needs child/family member. This program is often referred to as the Parent CNA program.

How do I qualify to become my child’s caregiver?

  • The special needs child must be enrolled in Colorado Medicaid.
  • The parent or family member will need to become a CNA (see below for information on how to become a CNA).
  • A nurse with All for Kids Home Health will assess the special needs child using the state required Pediatric Assessment Tool to determine eligibility.
  • Once eligibility is confirmed, the parent (or family member) will attend school to become a CNA.

How do I become a CNA?

  • All for Kids Home Health will pay your tuition for CNA courses!
  • There are several different ways to attend school. Typically, the coursework can be completed within 4-6 weeks. You can choose how you want to complete your coursework and we will help you enroll in your school of choice.
  • On-line classes: Some schools offer on-line classes for the “classroom” portion of the course (43 hours total) with an additional 32 hours of in-person coursework (16 hours in the classroom lab where you get hands-on skills practice, and 16 hours in a clinical setting such as a nursing home).
  • Some of the on-line classrooms are “learn at your own pace”. This means that you can complete classes on your own schedule and you can take as long as you need to complete the coursework. Other on-line options have virtual classes scheduled at certain times of the day.
  • In-person classes: Some schools offer in-person classes with on-site skills labs where you can complete your hands-on training. This option also requires 16 hours of hands-on training in a clinical setting such as a nursing home.

When can I start working and earning money?

  • Once you have become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and you are registered with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), you will complete a short orientation (usually 2-3 hours) at All for Kids Home Health.
  • A nurse will schedule a home visit with you to complete the initial evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you can begin work.