Caregiver Learning Resources
The Department of Social and Health Services offers many free training materials to support long‑term care workers across Washington. These resources cover safety, mental health, dementia, nurse delegation, and more. Many are available in multiple languages to support our diverse caregiving community.
These tools can help you learn new skills and meet training rules. You can download guides, lesson plans, and continuing education activities.
Below is a quick guide to what you can find.
Orientation and Safety Training
These trainings cover the basic skills every long‑term care worker needs. They include all required topics and can be used in any care setting.
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Long‑Term Care Worker Orientation (2 hours) Available in: English, Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
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Long‑Term Care Worker Safety Training (3 hours) Available in: English, Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Fundamentals of Caregiving (3rd Edition)
This is the main textbook used in basic training. It is available in English and 12 additional languages, with both low‑ and high‑resolution versions.
You can also download:
- Facilitator’s Guide
- Module 2 lesson plans (Word and PDF)
- Module 2 presentation (PPT and PDF)
- Revision history in all available languages
Nurse Delegation Training
Core and Diabetes Special Focus
These trainings help caregivers learn how to support clients with certain nursing tasks.
- Nurse Delegation Core (9 hours) Available in: English, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
- Nurse Delegation: Special Focus on Diabetes Available in the same languages as above Includes a full revision history
Mental Health, Dementia, and Other Specialty Trainings
Each course is 8 hours unless noted
- Mental Health, Level 1: Capable Caregiving for Mental Wellness English + Instructor Guide
- Dementia, Level 1: Dementia Capable Caregiving English + Instructor Guide
- Traumatic Brain Injury, Level 1: Capable Caregiving Available in 13 languages Instructor Guides in English and Spanish
- Diabetes, Level 1: Capable Caregiving for Diabetes Care English
- Substance Use Disorder, Level 1: Capable Caregiving English + Instructor Guide
Skills Procedure Checklist
These checklists help caregivers practice hands‑on skills for the Home Care Aide exam. Available in: English, Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Continuing Education Materials
Free Continuing Education options developed by DSHS
- Medication Assistance Challenge Game (2 hours) A fun tic‑tac‑toe style game to help caregivers prepare for the skills test.
- Portable Orders for Life‑Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Training (1.5 hours) For Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Family Homes.