The Heart Home Health Aide training program is a 6-week (120-hour) home health aide certificate training program designed to prepare participants to work as home health aides in an agency. The program consists of three essential components.

Home Health Aide Training:  In the Home Health Aide training component of the program, participants are taught the skills and knowledge they need to become Home Health Aides through the ABC’s of Direct Care curriculum (60 hours) and the Home Health Aide Add-On Training curriculum (15 hours) with a nurse, developed by the Home Care Aid Council. Both skills training and didactic knowledge training are presented in a balance of hands-on skills, examples, case studies, small group work, and discussions. Participants have a workbook to use to review materials and take notes. They also have access to the new online state program through the Mass Office of Elder Affairs.

Trauma-Informed job readiness skills training: Mothers for Justice and Equality’s (MJE) “You Matter” program is a pre-employment leadership program designed to develop and strengthen participants’ readiness for work and training. Through instruction, reflection, small group and individual work, participants work closely with the staff to identify barriers that may impact their success in training and as they transition to work. The program is conducted using a main facilitator and other MJE staff who work in small groups with participants to dig deeper into the issues and barriers they may face during their transition to work. These staff members also work individually with participants on life issues that need more attention. This may include case management for domestic violence, housing and emergency funds and food for those in need. During this program participants are assigned weekly tasks to do as homework and work in small groups to process the tasks and develop a future vision. The program has used case studies developed specifically for our trainees to assist with understanding and responding to situations that may come up with clients and agency staff. The program concludes with individuals working with MJE staff to craft an action plan and vision board for moving forward. MJE is an essential partner in the program. The program allows individual issues to surface and MJE staff are there to work with participants to address some of the issues they are facing. Once the 8-week program finishes, participants are then members of the MJE community and are invited to participate in their monthly offerings as well as to access their support services.

Supportive Aide Certificates: The program also offers two additional supportive care certificates in Alzheimer’s and Mental Health. Each certificate is a 12-hour program (via Zoom) that provides a more in-depth look at Alzheimer’s and Mental Health. Participants who earn these certificates are better prepared to work with clients who present with these challenges.

The HEART Home Health Aide Training program is offered in partnership with the Home Care Aide Council (HCAC), which awards the HHA certificate to those successfully completing the training.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?  Those interested in applying to the program must attend an online information session prior to submitting an application. HEART screens applicants and schedules interviews for eligible participants.  Interviews are conducted jointly by HEART and an employer partner who makes the final determination about enrollment in the training and agrees to offer employment to those who are awarded an HHA certificate, with employment expected to begin with weeks of the participant receiving their HHA Certificate.