Support at home for families navigating Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Making family-provided care more sustainable.
Parents and family members can become Certified Nursing Assistants and serve as paid caregivers for their children with special medical needs. We manage the full process, from CNA training through employment, so you can focus on care at home.
We help families understand their options and build in-home care that fits real needs, from childhood through later life.
Earn up to $23 per hour by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Training is completed in 4 to 6 weeks at no cost to you through Medicaid.
The Parent CNA Program is a Colorado Medicaid pathway that allows a parent, legal guardian, or qualifying family member to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and provide paid in-home care for their child. The child must be enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and assessed as needing CNA-level support at home.
Once certified and employed through an approved home health agency like Total Care Connections, the parent delivers care based on an authorized care plan and receives regular wages and benefits as an employee.
Who Is Eligible?
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the Parent CNA Program requires that your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado and has been assessed using the Pediatric Assessment Tool (PAT). This assessment is conducted by a licensed RN through an approved home health agency like Total Care Connections, and we coordinate it as part of our intake process. Your child's assessment must confirm a need for CNA-level services at home. The parent or family member applying must be able to complete an approved CNA training program and meet standard employment requirements.
Eligibility for the Parent CNA Program requires that your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado and has been assessed using the Pediatric Assessment Tool (PAT). This assessment is conducted by a licensed RN through an approved home health agency like Total Care Connections, and we coordinate it as part of our intake process. Your child's assessment must confirm a need for CNA-level services at home. The parent or family member applying must be able to complete an approved CNA training program and meet standard employment requirements.
Children enrolled in the following waivers or programs may qualify for Parent CNA services:
Children with Complex Health Needs Waiver (CwCHN)
For children under 18 with complex medical conditions or disabilities requiring a hospital-level of care.
Formerly known as the CHCBS and CLLI waivers. As of July 1, 2025, new enrollment is through the CwCHN waiver.
IHSS (In-Home Support Services)
A participant-directed model available through qualifying waivers that allows families to select and manage their child's caregivers, including parents.
Children's Extensive Support Waiver (CES)
For children with intellectual or developmental disabilities who need access to ongoing services and supports.
If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, our team can help you review your situation and connect you with the right case management agency. For families caring for adults, visit our Family First page to learn about paid caregiver programs through IHSS and Colorado's HCBS waivers.
If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, our team can help you review your situation and connect you with the right case management agency. For families caring for adults, visit our Family First page to learn about paid caregiver programs through IHSS and Colorado's HCBS waivers.
What Does a Parent CNA Do?
What Does a Parent CNA Do?
As your child's Certified Nursing Assistant, you are authorized to provide a range of daily living and health-related support, including but not limited to:
As your child's Certified Nursing Assistant, you are authorized to provide a range of daily living and health-related support, including but not limited to:
Personal Care
Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, incontinence care, and oral hygiene.
Mobility and Physical Support
Transfers, positioning, range of motion exercises, and assistance with mobility equipment.
Health Maintenance Activities
Medication administration, wound care, bowel and bladder care, respiratory support, and other skilled tasks as authorized in your child's care plan.
Daily Living Support
Meal preparation, feeding assistance, light housekeeping, and laundry.
The specific tasks and hours you are authorized to perform will be determined by your child's Pediatric Assessment Tool evaluation and authorized care plan.
The specific tasks and hours you are authorized to perform will be determined by your child's Pediatric Assessment Tool evaluation and authorized care plan.
Training and Certification Process
Training and Certification Process
Total Care Connections covers the cost of CNA training for qualifying families. The program includes online coursework and in-person clinical training, typically completable in four to six weeks. After passing a written exam and skills evaluation, you register as a CNA through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), complete a brief orientation with our team, and begin employment.
We help you choose a CNA school that fits your schedule and guide you through every step.
Complimentary Credentials
We cover all credentialing costs at no expense to the family, including:
CNA school tuition
Background screening
Drug screen
First Aid and CPR certification
Orientation and onboarding
How It Works
1
Initial Review
We learn about your child's Health First Colorado enrollment, current waiver status, and care needs. If your child has not yet been assessed, we coordinate the Pediatric Assessment Tool evaluation to determine eligibility.
1
Initial Review
We learn about your child's Health First Colorado enrollment, current waiver status, and care needs. If your child has not yet been assessed, we coordinate the Pediatric Assessment Tool evaluation to determine eligibility.
2
CNA School Enrollment
If eligible, we help you select an approved CNA training program and cover the cost of tuition. You complete the required coursework and clinical hours.
2
CNA School Enrollment
If eligible, we help you select an approved CNA training program and cover the cost of tuition. You complete the required coursework and clinical hours.
3
Certification
After passing your written and skills exams, you register as a CNA with DORA. We handle the remaining employment paperwork and onboarding steps.
3
Certification
After passing your written and skills exams, you register as a CNA with DORA. We handle the remaining employment paperwork and onboarding steps.
4
Employment Begins
We employ you as your child's Certified Nursing Assistant. You provide care based on your child's authorized plan, and we manage payroll, compliance, and documentation.
4
Employment Begins
We employ you as your child's Certified Nursing Assistant. You provide care based on your child's authorized plan, and we manage payroll, compliance, and documentation.
5
Ongoing Support
Our team stays involved with regular check-ins, continuing education, and coordination with your child's case manager and care team to keep services stable over time.
5
Ongoing Support
Our team stays involved with regular check-ins, continuing education, and coordination with your child's case manager and care team to keep services stable over time.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and Benefits
As a Total Care Connections employee, caregivers working at least 29 hours per week may be eligible for health, dental, vision, supplemental benefits, paid leave, and retirement plan options.
Why Families Choose This Program
Why Families Choose This Program
Parents of children with special medical needs are often already providing around-the-clock care. The Parent CNA Program provides a formal structure that recognizes that work, compensates it, and ensures it meets the professional standards required by the state.
Total Care Connections handles the training, tuition, credentialing, employment logistics, and ongoing compliance so the process stays organized. Our bilingual care managers are also available to guide Spanish-speaking families through every step.
Explore Our Other Programs
Explore Our Other Programs
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We help families understand their options and build in-home care that fits real needs, from childhood through later life.
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Let's talk about becoming your child's Certified Nursing Assistant
If your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado or you believe they may qualify for CNA-level services, our team can walk you through the Parent CNA Program and help you determine the best next step.
Let's talk about becoming your child's Certified Nursing Assistant
If your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado or you believe they may qualify for CNA-level services, our team can walk you through the Parent CNA Program and help you determine the best next step.
Let's talk about becoming your child's Certified Nursing Assistant
If your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado or you believe they may qualify for CNA-level services, our team can walk you through the Parent CNA Program and help you determine the best next step.
Let's talk about becoming your child's Certified Nursing Assistant
If your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado or you believe they may qualify for CNA-level services, our team can walk you through the Parent CNA Program and help you determine the best next step.
Let's talk about becoming your child's Certified Nursing Assistant
If your child is enrolled in Health First Colorado or you believe they may qualify for CNA-level services, our team can walk you through the Parent CNA Program and help you determine the best next step.