Caregivers
Your commitment to helping others is our inspiration
Now let us help you. If you are already caring for someone, or you would like to, you can be paid for it through Missouri's Consumer Directed Services program.
- Weekly pay. The pay week runs Sunday to Saturday and payday is the following Thursday.
- Care for someone you know. Most of our caregivers look after a parent, grandparent, friend or neighbor.
- We handle the paperwork. Payroll, taxes and background checks are ours. Giving the care is yours.
- Real support. When you call us, someone answers.
Applying
How to become a paid caregiver
If you already know who you would care for
If your parent, grandparent or friend is on Missouri Medicaid, they can hire you directly. They become your employer and we handle everything else.
One thing to know before you call: the program belongs to the person receiving care, so we do need to speak with them. You are very welcome to start the conversation, and we will happily explain the whole thing to you — but enrolling, or switching provider, is a decision only they can make with us.
- ✓They need active Missouri Medicaid
- ✓They must live in their own home, not a facility
- ✓You cannot be their spouse or legal guardian
- ✓You must be able to pass a background screening
If you do not have anyone to care for yet
Join our caregiver list: it is for caregivers looking for work, not for people seeking care. Consumers across the 27 counties we serve hire from it, for full-time and part-time positions as well as fill-in cover.
- ✓Takes about two minutes
- ✓Does not commit you to anything
- ✓No experience needed, many start by caring for family
- ✓We never ask for your Social Security number online
If you are the one making contact
The consumer has to enroll, not you
Plenty of caregivers reach out before the person they care for does, and that is a fine place to start. But CDS is the consumer’s program: they enroll, they become your employer, and they are the one who signs. Here is how it goes from your first call.
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01
You call us first
Perfectly normal, and often how it starts. We will answer your questions, tell you whether the arrangement looks workable, and explain what happens next. Nothing about this step requires the consumer to be on the phone.
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02
We speak with the consumer
The person receiving care is the one enrolling, and they will be your employer, so the program is theirs to join. We need to talk with them directly — with you there too, if that is easier for everyone. Give us a good time to call and we will do the rest.
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03
If they are new to CDS
They enroll in the Consumer Directed Services program. If they are not yet on Missouri Medicaid, that comes first, and we will point them at it. The state then assesses what help they need, which sets the authorized hours you would be paid for.
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04
If they are already in CDS elsewhere
Then it is a provider switch, not a new enrollment. Their authorization moves with them, there is no new assessment, and their care does not pause. The consumer makes that request, and we handle the transfer.
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05
Then you are hired
Once they are enrolled with us, they hire you, we set you up as their employee, run the background screening and EVV, and you start being paid $15.00 an hour every Thursday.
If the consumer would rather we called them directly, just give us their name and number. We will explain the program to them from the start, and we will never pressure anyone into switching.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Your orientation, online
Once you are hired, complete the Attendant Orientation: eight short narrated modules on how CDS works, clocking in and out, and the rules that protect you and the person you care for. Free, about an hour, stop and resume any time.
How much will I be paid, and when?+
$15.00 per hour. The pay week runs Sunday to Saturday and payday is the following Thursday, by direct deposit or pay card. The rate is set by what the Department of Health and Senior Services funds, so we will tell you if it ever changes.
Do I need experience or a certificate?+
No. Many of our best caregivers started by looking after their own family. We train you on what you need, including how to record your time.
Who is my employer?+
The person you care for. In the CDS program the consumer is the employer and chooses who works for them. Caring Companions handles payroll, taxes and paperwork, and helps make the introduction.
Can I choose a family member as my caregiver?+
Yes. You can choose a trusted family member or friend. Legal guardians and spouses cannot be paid caregivers through the program.
What kind of help can a caregiver give?+
- Bathing, dressing, grooming
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Medication reminders
- Errands and grocery shopping
Who pays the caregiver?+
Medicaid funds the care. We handle the paperwork, payroll, taxes and background checks. You direct the care and we take care of the rest.
Already in CDS elsewhere
Switching to Caring Companions
Already enrolled in the CDS program with another provider and thinking about moving? We would be glad to have you. Switching does not interrupt your care, and we guide you through every step.
Or call 417-218-2888, toll free 866-863-5151, and we will walk you through it on the phone.
Got it — we will call you.
Nothing about your current care changes until you say so.