How do I qualify?
Your child must be eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).
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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.
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To see if your child qualifies, your child must be assessed by a home health agency of your choosing, using the Pediatric Assessment Tool (PAT) .
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Find Health First Colorado home health agencies. Search for agencies using your zip code and the provider type label of “home health.”
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Learn more about reconsideration if you don’t agree with hours/visits in the tool.
You must be a certified CNA in the state of Colorado.
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You have to complete a nurse aide training program through a vocational school or agency that is approved by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and pass a written and clinical exam.
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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.
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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.
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Look for a Health First Colorado home health care agency in your area that hires parents as a CNA.
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Find Health First Colorado agencies. Search for agencies using your zip code and the provider type label of “home health.”
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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?
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Your income as a CNA may impact your child’s Medicaid and SSI eligibility. Ask about and understand eligibility income limits.
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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.
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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.
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As a parent, you need to give input regarding your child’s needs and plan of care.
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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?
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HCP ‐ A Program for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs ‐ for questions and to link you to other valuable services and supports.
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1‐800‐886‐7689, ext. 2370.
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Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing ‐ Home Health Program - for questions about parent CNA income and Medicaid eligibility or to provide guidance to your home health agency about hiring parents as a CNA.
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For more information, email homehealth@state.co.us.
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Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)‐ for a list of approved Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training programs and requirements.
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1‐800‐886‐7675.
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