RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND HIRING CNAs FOR ALASKA

State Training & Employment Program (STEP)

CNA Training Funding Guidelines

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About the funding

The Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association (AHHA) received another year of STEP funding from the State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development for the purpose of training people to become Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

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AHHA encourages participating facilities to utilize the “employment first” model by hiring trainees in a non-licensed role and paying them for work and training hours while they complete CNA training, although wages to a trainee are not eligible expenses for reimbursement. The facility must provide a state-approved CNA training program, either in-house or through an outside training program. Upon the completion of the course, the trainee should be supported in registering for and completing the CNA exam. The grant will reimburse up to $3,000 of eligible expenses per participating trainee.
 

Changes from SFY2023

• As of July 1, 2023, AHHA’s funding can support 6 trainees per participating facility, at a maximum of $3,000 per student.

• Wages paid to a trainee for work or training hours are no longer an eligible reimbursable expense.

• AHHA will assess training and reimbursement data in January 2024, and may determine that sites with capacity and interest can be allotted additional funds to train more people, as it is our intent to have as many CNAs trained as possible and to expend the full amount of STEP funding before June 30.
   

Eligible Expenses

• CNA Coordinator’s time (per student cost) to support trainees

• Cost of CNA training (expenses related to training in-house or tuition paid to an external program)

• Training supplies (stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, etc.)

• Training textbook/workbooks

• BLS/CPR training costs

• Background check/fingerprinting/drug screen fees

• Certification exam fees/certification fees     

Requirements of Participation

• Review the CNA Training Funding Guidelines orientation

• Submit a Facility Participation form (click here to download the fillable form.)

• Recruit CNA trainees. AHHA strongly encourages facilities to employ trainees in non-licensed, paid positions during training.

• Submit a Department of Labor STEP Participation Form for each CNA trainee (click here to download the form.)

• Complete a CNA Reimbursement Request online for each trainee indicating expenses and progress.

Note: Funding is not contingent upon CNA trainees passing the certification exam, however AHHA expects that employers will do everything possible to support trainees in the process of completing training, applying for certification, and passing the exam.

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The State Training and Employment Program (STEP) is administered by the Alaska Department of Labor and

Workforce Development, Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) and funded by a set-aside from the

Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The purpose of STEP is to enhance the quality and make Alaska job

training and employment assistance easily available to employers, employees, and future workers.

This "CNA Earn & Learn" project is STEP funded at 100%.