Long-Term Care Employers
Build Your CNA Workforce with CNAP
Offering valuable resources and financial awards to long-term care facilities in California designed specifically to recruit, train, and retain a strong and resilient workforce.
Certified Nurse Assistant Program (CNAP): Focused on increasing the CNA workforce in California
The Certified Nurse Assistant Program (CNAP) is a 5-year, multipronged initiative focused on increasing the CNA workforce across California. CNAP offers resources to employers to create a sustainable employee pipeline and foster CNA retention through career advancement opportunities.
Facilities that are California Department of Public Health (CDPH) approved for facility-based CNA training, or those contracted with Community-based and Online or Alternative CNA training programs, may qualify for Earn and Learn funds.
With CNAP, long-term care facilities across California can build a thriving CNA workforce.
CNAP Benefits
Advantages of CNAP
CNAP is a Statewide initiative funded by the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information, managed by the Quality Care Health Foundation (QCHF). The goal is to help skilled nursing facilities build a stronger, more stable CNA Workforce and reward you financially for doing it.
In 2025 alone, 42 facilities received more than $1 million in awards, and by the first half of 2026, that number climbed to 70 facilities receiving more than $2 million. There’s no cap on what your facility can earn, as long as funds last.
Testimonials
Oak River Rehab
“While the application process at first seemed a bit daunting, once the CNAP team walked me through everything, it was super easy to submit all of the required documents. From there on out, we only saw great benefits through our relationship with CNAP, including the care that our Earn and Learn CNA graduates are now delivering in our facility.”
Chad Kanow , Assistant Administrator , Oak River Rehab
Kern Valley
“CNAP awards have allowed us to continue to offer this program with a reduced demand on facilities resources! It is very easy to work with the CNAP staff! The application process is simple, they explain everything, and it is well organized. We feel incredibly supported!”
Brandy Arana, Administrator and NATP Coordinator, Kern Valley
Crystal Ridge Care Center
"Without knowing the process, the CNAP application can seem a bit daunting, but once you work with the CNAP team, the process is really streamlined, not complicated at all. The staff is so supportive."
- Daenen Miller, Administrator, Crystal Ridge Care Center
The Pines at Placerville
"We just received our first check for the CNAP program for the 18 CNAs that we put through our CNA class. All our interactions with Mai and Zane have been nothing short of amazing. They were with us the entire way and felt invested in our success. Their instructions were clear and concise, and they went above and beyond to ensure we received our reward. We will gladly continue to work with them in future cohorts and are grateful for this partnership."
- Colby Hollingsworth, Administrator
Southern Inyo Healthcare District
“We are thrilled with the CNAP funds received as they have provided us with the financial flexibility to enhance our classrooms and work stations for both our employee students and long-term staff. Thanks to CNAP we can invest in improvements that directly benefit our learning environment and support our educational goals. The process of accessing the funds was straightforward and we appreciate the opportunity to utilize them for our specific needs. CNAP has truly made a positive impact on our facility, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”
-Jennifer Emley, Quality Assistant
Fallbrook Skilled Nursing
“Our experience with the CNAP program has been incredibly beneficial to our facility. With our second cohort of Earn and Learn students graduating soon and another one planned for the near future, CNAP has played a vital role in addressing our staffing needs. Thanks to the Earn and Learn classes, we have significantly reduced our reliance on the CNA registry, saving us $50,000 per month. CNAP’s support has empowered us to build a sustainable workforce and further enhance our patient care and satisfaction. We look forward to our continued partnership.”
-Robert Durban, Administrator
Golden Heights Healthcare
“Thanks to the valuable guidance and support from CNAP staff and the CNAP Resources, our facility navigated the accreditation process and successfully obtained our facility based NATP approval. This achievement not only brought us multiple financial rewards but has also empowered us to hire and train our own CNAs. We are now eagerly preparing to launch an Earn and Learn program, with the goal of building a sustainable and renewable workforce.”
-Almaroof Apatira, Administrator
Kern Valley Healthcare District
"CNAP has aided us with graduating 12 Nurse Assistant Students, successfully passing their state exams to obtain their certifications. The application process is simple and well organized. CNAP awards have allowed us to continue to offer this program with a reduced demand on facilities resources and has offered us a great deal more support than just financial awards. Earn and Learn helps increase our retention of newly trained and certified CNA’s!"
-Brandy Arana, LMS Administrator and NATP Coordinator
Compass Health, Inc.
"Quality Care Health Foundation’s Certified Nursing Assistant Program has been a welcome resource in supporting our goals of training and retaining CNAs. The CNAP program team was easy to work with and supportive throughout the award application and disbursement process. They kept their requests concise, were realistic with deliverable due dates and sent reminders when needed."
- Patrick Woolpert, Finance Director
Cambridge Health Services
"Our experience working with CNAP has been wonderful. Megan was clear and concise with all instructions and also easy to reach if I had any questions. I have felt supported throughout the entire process. As we endeavor to train the best CNAs to support our residents, this grant has made the process so much easier. The support has allowed us to continue to grow our program which only benefits our facilities and residents! We look forward to our future partnership with CNAP in the coming years!"
- Jenny Rivera, Cambridge Health Services
CNA Upskilling Program (CUSP)
The goal of CUSP is to increase and retain the CNA workforce in the long-term care sector by instituting professional recognition of standardized advanced education and training levels, with statewide job titles and incremental financial awards for mastery of duties and wisdom gained.
With CUSP, CNAs have the chance to advance through recognized levels of achievement based on their completed educational modules and work experience. As they progress, they’ll not only gain new certifications and skills, but also enjoy the financial rewards that come with each level of accomplishment.
Facilities that support CNA upskilling through CUSP may be eligible to receive a financial award.
Directory of Nurse Assistant Training Programs (CNA Training Providers) in California
Recruiting Refugees and Immigrants into the CNA Workforce
Contracting with a Community Based NATP
Hosting a Community-Based NATP
Development & Approval of Facility-Based NATP Application
