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Care Corps is a new workforce training program launched by NYC Health + Hospitals and Project Renewal to prepare New Yorkers for careers in behavioral health while helping hospitals fill critical staffing gaps.
The free six-week program combines classroom learning, hospital simulation training, and paid internships. Since launching last year, 45 participants have completed the program, and 78% have already secured jobs at NYC Health + Hospitals or other healthcare systems across New York City.
Care Corps was created to help people facing barriers to employment enter stable healthcare careers with opportunities for long-term growth.
Details shared in a press release distributed through NYC Newswire show the program includes:
Participants train at the Institute for Medical Simulation and Advanced Learning, where they practice real-world patient care scenarios in simulated hospital settings.
Graduates become eligible for roles as Psychiatric Social Health Technicians working in inpatient psychiatric units.
Officials say starting salaries are around $50,000 per year and include union and medical benefits.
Healthcare officials say the program helps address the city’s growing need for behavioral health workers while creating job opportunities for residents.
“Our workforce is the backbone of the City’s health care system,” said Sophie Pauze, Senior Director of Strategy and Impact for the Office of Behavioral Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “We are proud to launch this new initiative with our partners at Project Renewal to expand opportunities for New Yorkers to enter the behavioral health workforce.”
Project Renewal leaders say the initiative also supports residents who have struggled to find stable employment.
“At Project Renewal, we believe that stable employment can be transformative and that lived experience is a powerful asset in behavioral health care,” said Jaime Madden, Chief Operating Officer of Project Renewal.
Officials say the simulation-based training model helps participants build confidence before entering real clinical environments.
The launch of Care Corps comes as hospitals and healthcare systems across the country continue facing shortages in behavioral health staffing.
NYC Health + Hospitals currently provides nearly 60% of behavioral health services citywide and serves more than 82,000 patients each year through emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
Healthcare leaders say expanding workforce pipelines has become increasingly important as demand for mental health services continues rising across New York City.
The program also creates opportunities for residents who may not have previous hospital experience or advanced degrees. Applicants only need a high school diploma or equivalent to apply.
NYC Health + Hospitals says Care Corps is part of a larger strategy to strengthen the city’s behavioral health workforce.
Additional initiatives include:
Officials say the programs are designed to improve recruitment, retention, and career advancement across the public healthcare system.
NYC Health + Hospitals and Project Renewal say additional Care Corps training groups will continue through 2026.
Officials say the program could expand further depending on future hiring needs across the healthcare system.
Additional details were first outlined in a press release published via NYC Newswire.
What is Care Corps?
Care Corps is a behavioral health workforce training program created by NYC Health + Hospitals and Project Renewal.
Who can apply to Care Corps?
Anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent may apply.
What jobs does the program prepare participants for?
Graduates qualify for entry-level behavioral health positions such as Psychiatric Social Health Technicians.
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