Bring a Career-Ready Opportunity to Your Students!
School districts can offer the High School Home Care Aide Training Program as a CTE option for their students, giving students a chance to earn high school credit and explore a career in health care. Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction developed this program for schools across the state.
This 90-hour course gives students hands-on health care experience. It meets Washington’s rules for Home Care Aide training. Students learn the skills they need for certification. The course follows National Health Science Standards and gives students a strong start in health care careers.
Why Offer This Program?
Prepares Students for a High Demand Career
Health care is growing fast. Washington needs more certified Home Care Aides.
Creates Pathways for All Students
Students can use these skills in college, technical training, or the workforce. The program supports many career goals.
Builds Strong Life Skills
Students learn empathy, patience, resilience, and leadership. These skills help in any job.
Opens Job Opportunities*
Students will be prepared to start paid work. This experience can lead to careers in health care and other fields.
Steps for Schools to Launch the Program:
- Hire an instructor who meets Washington state requirements.
- Get OSPI approval of the Career & Technical Education framework.
- Provide the necessary equipment & supplies for hands-on training.
- Apply to DSHS for approval and contract to deliver training.
- Download Training Program/ Instructor application (PDF | Word).
More Resources
- Course Content Overview (PDF)
- High School HCA Instructor Requirements (PDF)
- Career and Technical Education model framework on OSPI website
- Resource Guide (PDF)
- Hiring Minors as Paid Caregivers: What Employers Need to Know
- Download the flyer to share with others
Take the Lead: Bring This Program to Your School
Many schools across Washington already offer this class and see strong student interest.
Program Partners:
Everett High School
Interagency High School (Seattle)
Crossroads High School (Granite Falls)
West Auburn High School
Toppenish High School
Selah High School
Tri-Tech Skills Center (Kennewick)
New Market Skills Center (Tumwater)
Cascadia Tech Academy (Vancouver)
Omak High School
West Sound Technical Skills Center (Bremerton)
Contact us:
Reach out to learn more about implementation and start building a career-ready program.
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We are here to help.
Carly Seagren, DSHS High School Liaison
Highschoolhca@dshs.wa.gov | 360.584.3271
OSPI Career & Technical Education
cte@k12.wa.us | 360.725.6245
*Individual Providers and caregivers in Adult Family Homes must be 18. See WAC 388-115-0510(1) and WAC 388-76-10135(1).
Assisted Living Facilities and Home Care Agencies do not specify a minimum age requirement for caregivers in WAC. See WAC 38878A2020, WAC 38878A2450(2)(f), WAC 388710503, and WAC 388710510.
Employers must follow all Department of Labor & Industries regulations and processes for youth employment and hiring 16–17-year-old minors as caregivers.
Learn more at L&I How to Hire Minors webpage. Contact teensafety@lni.wa.gov