Put your future in your hands

We are a cooperative home care company led by caregivers.

Cooperative Home Care Associates offers free four-week home health aide training in English and Spanish. Our specialized training facilities have locations in The Bronx, with recent expansions to Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island!

Graduates of the training program receive certification as a Certified Home Health Aide with guaranteed employment through CHCA.

large group of CHCA staff posing for a group photo and smiling

Benefits of training with CHCA

We are proud to offer exceptional care to the families we serve, and that starts with offering excellent training to our caregivers. Benefits of our free training program include:

Mentorship opportunities

Learn directly from home health aides with extensive experience in the field.

Support from community

Successfully transition from training to working with clients.

Employment

Guaranteed employment and a career that respects your dignity as a worker.

Career advancement

Competitive wages, co-ownership opportunities, and profit-sharing.

It’s ok to have questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our home health aide training.

If there is anything else we can answer for you simply contact our office and talk to a human.

View through the a round window with "C" on it at CHCA training facilities

Do I need prior experience to apply?

No prior experience is required. We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping others and are interested in starting a career in home care.

What is the application process like?

Our process is designed to support you every step of the way:

  1. Attend an Open House session
  2. Complete a pre-screening exam
  3. Submit required documents:
    • NYS ID
    • Social Security card
    • Proof of immigration status (e.g., U.S. birth certificate, passport, Employment Authorization, or Resident Card)
  4. Participate in a one-on-one interview with a Case Manager
  5. Join a group interview session
  6. Take an Adult Basic Education exam (CASAS) on your first day of class.

What training programs are offered?

CHCA offers a variety of free training programs to help you start or advance your career, including:

  • Home Health Aide (HHA)
  • Personal Care Aide (PCA)
  • Alternative Competency Demonstration (ACD)
  • Competency Evaluations
  • CNA to HHA transition program
  • Referrals to partner CNA training programs

All programs are offered at no cost to participants.

How long does training take?

Training length varies depending on the program:

  • HHA: 16–17 days
  • PCA: 6 days
  • ACD: 4 days
  • Competency Evaluation: 2 days
  • CNA to HHA: 3 days
  • Partner CNA program: Approximately 15 days

Will I receive job placement support?

Yes. CHCA provides job placement support to help you transition into a role after successfully completing your training.

What are the work schedules and pay like after certification?

Work schedules are based on client needs, case assignments, and your availability.

  • Starting pay: $19.65 per hour
  • Opportunities for additional hours and flexible scheduling may be available, depending on assignments

What type of benefits are employees entitled to?

CHCA offers a comprehensive benefits package through multiple sources, including 1199SEIU, CHCA-sponsored programs, and additional statutory benefits.

Benefits through 1199SEIU:

  • Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
  • Life Insurance
  • Pension Fund
  • Bill Michelson Funds
  • Member’s Assistance Program (MAP)
  • Bereavement Benefits
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

Benefits through CHCA

  • Life Insurance

Train to become a caregiver with CHCA

Our Home Health Aide Training program is 3.5 weeks, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Our trainings are offered in English and Spanish. We provide all necessary equipment to our students, including laptops, backpacks, and uniforms.

Training formats

Our Bronx trainings are fully in-person. At the other locations we use a hybrid format, with participants joining most classes virtually, and attending around seven in-person classes for practice and demonstrations.

Training expansion 2026

In addition to our regular Home Health Aide training, we are now training in the following areas:

  1. Competency Evaluation Program
  2. CNA-to-HHA Transition Program
  3. Alternative Competency Demonstration (ACD) for individuals with prior certifications
  4. Certified Nursing Assistant Training (CNA)

Locations

Queens:

Testimonials

Hear from caregiver-owners

Bronx training facility

Working at CHCA means that you are in one of the best agencies in New York. It is an agency that has benefits, like sick days, vacations and personal days.

In the agency, the worker is treated with respect and motivated to improve. You feel like your voice is heard.

Margarita Pillot

CHCA Caregiver-Owner

I have worked at CHCA for 12 years and have cared for many clients with different ailments.

My current client is 95 years old, and all the experience that I’ve had and skills that I’ve learned allowed me to take great care of my clients and problem solve situations when needed regarding their care.

[…] I want to be an inspiration to other home care workers, and encourage them to learn more about worker ownership or becoming a worker-owner.

D. O’Bryant

CHCA Caregiver-Owner

CHCA caregiver Lizeth sits and talks with client Mr Terrero in a sunny living room

CHCA caregiver Lizeth with client Mr. Terrero

CHCA caregivers in training stand in a row by lockers and smile

Students at a training session

CHCA has given me the opportunity to be independent, to be able to raise my children with a decent and comfortable job.

Being a worker-owner opened a very large door. I have the opportunity to do other things within the company such as working in the Board of Directors.

Clara Calvo

CHCA Caregiver-owner

The opportunity is yours

Start your new career path today!

If you’re ready to discover a new career path in home care, and be a part of something that is changing the way home care is delivered, schedule a time to talk with us about your options and what we can offer.

Contact form

Careers

CHCA is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your request and to provide the information about the services you requested. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please tick below:

In order to provide you the content requested, we need to store and process your personal data. If you consent to us storing your personal data for this purpose, please tick the checkbox below.

You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and our commitment to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

Join us in delivering value, showing respect, and building a future for every caregiver.

large group of CHCA staff posing for a group photo and smiling