FAQs

Yes. The Career Pathways Training Program offers you an incredible opportunity to pursue a healthcare career with fully covered tuition and books. This investment in your future also supports strengthening New York State’s healthcare workforce in areas that need skilled professionals. By signing the service commitment, you agree to use the skills and education you gain to work in New York State in the field you trained for, helping to address critical staffing needs while building a rewarding career.

Participants are expected to obtain training and education at one of the approved NYS schools. Out of state training and educational partners will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require justification as to why in-state partners cannot provide the same or similar training for participants.

Agreeing to the service commitment is entirely your choice. However, the grant funds supporting the Career Pathways Training Program are specifically tied to this agreement. Without signing, you won’t be eligible to receive the fully covered tuition, education reimbursements, or other financial benefits provided for the ten CPT occupations. If you’d like to explore this opportunity further, we’re happy to provide more information and answer any questions you might have!

Career Pathway Training (CPT) funds may not be used to supplant, supplement or duplicate any existing federal, state or local funding. Caring Gene may not make tuition payments on behalf of a program participant until both FAFSA and TAP applications have been submitted and a determination has been made on the amount of grant funding that will be received by the program participant. CPT funding will be reduced by the award amount.

No, you may change employers as long as all employers during the three-year commitment period are located in New York State and 30% of their patient population receives Medicaid.

A Caring Gene case specialist will be assigned to you when you submit an interest form.  The case specialist will help you:

• Determine the right program for you
• Provide resources to complete the FASFA and other applications
• Work through the language of the participant agreement you will sign
• Identify any non-educational challenges you may have and hep link you to resources in the community that can help
• Provide educational resources in the form of tutoring, coaching mentoring and other areas you may need assistance in to be successful
• Connect you to resources to prep for any licensure exams once you have graduated.
• Help you get ready to launch your career by providing resume writing and interview prep
• Provide resources to get you ready to work in a provider environment.
• Help you secure a job in your title.

May not need this question if there is a section of the website devoted to case management services.

Caring Gene will contract directly with educational and training institutions for tuition and required program fee payments. Caring Gene will also directly reimburse program partners for costs associated with educational case management and academic support for participants. The Caring Gene’s program is expressly prohibited from reimbursing participants directly.

The Caring Gene Career Pathway Training program may NOT reimburse participants directly or pay for room, board, meals, or other incidental expenses.  However, Caring Gene can connect you to public or other benefits to support participants in completing the training and education programs, including:

• Public programs, including referrals to appropriate agencies to support applications for programs including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Transportation; Financial Coaching; Childcare support, including the childcare subsidies offered through Office of Children and Family Services; and connection to mental health support, such as programs supporting stress management and coping mechanisms to avoid burnout.

Participants must complete a total of 36 months service commitment within a 48-month time period in order to successfully complete their commitment under the CPT program. The service commitment must be performed under the new title. Under limited circumstances, a break in service commitment may be granted. Breaks up to 12 weeks duration and under the following circumstances could be permissible, without impact to the service commitment:

• Caring for your own serious health condition, including illness, injury, or pregnancy / childbirth.
• Caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including illness, injury, or pregnancy / childbirth.
• Maternity / paternity leave
• Time to bond with a new child
• Active-duty military
• Managing affairs while a family member is on active duty.

Yes, as long as you will still fulfil the prescribed length of the service commitment and work at a NYS provider who serves a 30% Medicaid/uninsured population.

Failure to successfully complete academic/training requirements, licensure, or work commitments except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by NYS (such as disability or death, is a breach of contract). Participants will be required to pay back funds for costs associated with their education. If you find yourself unable to fulfill the service commitment, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We’re here to guide you through the process and discuss potential options or solutions based on your situation.