Understanding Program Guidelines

The Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program connects individuals to a career in care—and at a time when the need for compassionate, empathetic professionals in healthcare has never been greater.  

Since our launch, we’ve been committed to addressing this need by providing tuition-free training at New York State-approved schools, and job placement support to those intent on starting or advancing their career in one of 13 approved healthcare, behavioral health, and social care fields. According to a recent survey of our approved participants, 75% are very satisfied with their overall programmatic experience, and 98% would recommend the program to others. 

But for those interested in joining our growing list of hundreds of new professionals, it’s important to know the start and end dates of your educational institution’s programs. In order to receive full funding for tuition and books, you must be able to complete the CPT Program within the required timeline. Doing so is not only critical to getting the most out of your CPT experience, but is necessary to being approved to being a participant.   

To gain a better understanding of these timelines, let’s break down the critical questions each participant should answer before they start training. 

Why should each participant consider program timelines?  

CPT participants may think choosing their career pathway is their biggest initial hurdle. It’s certainly significant; and when making a choice, participants must consider their personal responsibilities, family obligations, and ongoing work schedule to determine what is best for them. 

But the most important consideration must be whether they’ll be able to complete the CPT Program in a timely manner—and that includes the three-year service commitment after training. 

Each participant is required to work for three years at an approved service commitment site, and during this current interval, they must complete that requirement by March 31, 2031. Therefore, a full timeline includes both the education program and the service commitment. Participants need to be aware of this timeline to complete their training, including earning relevant certification and/or licensing exams, and fulfill their service commitment without disruption. 

What do the program start and end dates signify? 

CPT Program dates are established in conjunction with the urgency to fill high-need vacancies within specific realms of the healthcare system. And, with program facilitation enabled by Medicaid funds, staffing these positions is meant to better serve the residents of New York State.  

But these dates also signify a career and funding opportunity that needs to be acted on immediately.  

CPT participants need to appreciate this urgency, as many would not be able to enroll and complete their training without full-tuition support, so working within the established timelines is necessary for each to capitalize on this significant career break—and assure this break is fully funded. If an enrollee does not complete their certification and/or degree by Spring 2027, or complete their three-year service agreement by Spring 2031, then they must pay back the funding they received from The Caring Gene®. 

That’s why it’s critical to synch an educational program at a participating institution with the CPT program’s deadlines of completion, as enrollees must be able to start a program with enough time to complete educational requirements by Spring 2027. 

(Also, please note: Students who began their program before January 2025 are not eligible for funding. Students re-entering the same program—even at a different institution—are still considered to have started before January 2025, and are therefore not eligible.)

What does adherence to these dates ensure for each participant? 

Adherence to established dates ensures that the CPT Program will cover education costs for participants and will also provide the kind of long-term support that goes beyond just academic readiness.  

All participants will be assigned a case manager after they submit an application to the program. Case managers will: 

  • Help you determine the right career path for you 
  • Offer assistance with completing the FAFSA and other forms, if relevant 
  • Walk you through the participant agreement you’ll have to sign 
  • Connect you with community resources to address non-educational challenges 
  • Work with you to find licensure prep tools after graduation 
  • Prep you for interviews and help you secure a job in your field 

The Caring Gene® was launched to enable career opportunities across healthcare, and to meet the needs of patients across New York State. Our Career Pathways Training Program wants to ensure that individuals are fully prepared to enter into their new field with a community of students, case managers, and providers affirming that what they do truly matters.  

If CPT program students recognize the timeline parameters of their selected career pathway, acknowledge their individual abilities and limitations, and adhere to the requirements within their educational tract, they can realize a tremendous list of opportunities—and, ideally, find their true calling.