The Behavioral Health Career Mobility Program is a free workforce training initiative that prepares individuals for entry-level careers supporting people with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, developmental disabilities, and other behavioral health needs. Participants gain the knowledge, practical skills, and industry-recognized credentials needed to begin careers as Mental Health Technicians, Life Skills Coaches, Community Health Navigators, and other frontline human services professionals.
Behavioral health organizations across New York City rely on direct-care staff who can help individuals navigate daily challenges, build independence, access resources, and maintain stability in their communities. These professionals serve as trusted members of interdisciplinary care teams, providing support in hospitals, residential treatment programs, supportive housing programs, community-based organizations, recovery services, and other human service settings.
Through employer-informed coursework, certification preparation, professional development, and applied learning activities, participants develop the skills needed to enter the workforce with confidence and contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Program Structure
All participants begin with a required five-week course, Behavioral Health Career Foundations, which introduces the behavioral health workforce, establishes essential workplace competencies, and helps students identify the career pathway that best aligns with their interests and goals.
Weeks 1–5 · Behavioral Health Career Foundations
Topics include:
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- Professional development and career exploration
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- Ethics, HIPAA, confidentiality, and patients’ rights
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- Behavioral health systems and services
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- Medical terminology and workplace communication
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- Common mental health and substance use conditions
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- Recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approaches
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- Professional boundaries and scope of practice
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- Career pathway exploration and decision-making
Following the foundational course, students continue into one of two specialized workforce pathways. Each pathway includes targeted skills training, preparation for a national certification examination, and development of a career-ready professional portfolio.
Specialization Pathways
Pathway A: Certified Mental Health Technician
Mental Health Technicians provide direct day-to-day support to individuals receiving behavioral health services in hospitals, residential treatment programs, crisis stabilization units, group homes, and community-based settings. They help create safe, structured, and supportive environments while assisting individuals with daily routines, behavioral support, recovery goals, and engagement in treatment.
Students develop competencies in:
- Behavioral observation and reporting
- Crisis prevention and de-escalation
- Trauma-informed care practices
- Clinical documentation and recordkeeping
- Psychopharmacology fundamentals
- Professional communication and teamwork
- Safety procedures and risk awareness
- Recovery-oriented support strategies
Graduates are prepared to support individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or developmental challenges while working under the supervision of licensed professionals and program staff.
Target Roles:
- Behavioral Health Technician
- Mental Health Technician
- Psychiatric Aide
- Residential Care Specialist
- Direct Support Professional
Certification:
Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT) — National Career Certification Board (NCCB)
Pathway B: Community Health Navigator & Life Skills Coach
Life Skills Coaches and Community Health Navigators help individuals build the practical skills and community connections needed to achieve greater independence, stability, and well-being. They work with individuals and families to identify goals, access services, navigate healthcare and social service systems, strengthen daily living skills, and overcome barriers related to housing, employment, education, health, and community engagement.
Students develop competencies in:
- Motivational interviewing
- Strengths-based coaching
- Resource and systems navigation
- Community outreach and engagement
- Advocacy and care coordination
- Harm reduction principles
- Culturally responsive communication
- Supporting justice-involved and reentry populations
Graduates are prepared for community-facing roles that promote resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term success.
Target Roles:
- Community Health Worker
- Life Skills Coach
- Community Navigator
- Outreach Worker
- Reentry Support Specialist
- Family Support Worker
Certification:
Certified Life Skills Coach (CLSC) — National Career Certification Board (NCCB)
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the program and receive a certificate of completion, participants must:
- Maintain at least 80 percent attendance across all sessions.
- Actively participate in coursework and learning activities.
- Earn a final grade of 70 percent (C) or higher in each course.
- Pass the NCCB practice examination with a score of 80 percent or higher.
- Complete and submit a capstone project.
The college covers the cost of one NCCB practice examination and one official NCCB certification examination per student. Students have 30 days from eligibility confirmation to schedule and complete their certification examination online.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, participants will demonstrate the foundational competencies required for entry-level behavioral health careers. In addition, students will develop pathway-specific skills aligned with their chosen specialization.
- Core Outcomes (All Students)
- Demonstrate professional, ethical, and trauma-informed practice.
- Communicate effectively in behavioral health and human service settings.
- Navigate community resources and support systems.
- Present as a job-ready candidate through professional portfolio development, certification preparation, and interview readiness.
- Mental Health Technician Pathway Outcomes
- Conduct behavioral observations and document client interactions accurately and professionally.
- Support crisis prevention, de-escalation, and recovery-oriented interventions within behavioral health settings.
- Collaborate effectively with supervisors and interdisciplinary care teams to support client well-being and safety.
- Community Health Navigator & Life Skills Coach Pathway Outcomes
- Assist individuals in accessing services, resources, and supports that promote stability and well-being.
- Apply coaching, motivational interviewing, and advocacy techniques to support goal attainment and personal growth.
- Facilitate skill development that promotes independence, self-sufficiency, and community integration.
How Employers Can Partner With Us
We partner with employers committed to strengthening New York City’s behavioral health workforce. Together, we prepare individuals for frontline roles that expand access to care, improve service delivery, and support workforce stability across the behavioral health sector.
Employers can partner with us in several ways:
- Co-Design Workforce Training: Collaborate with us to ensure curriculum and training remain aligned with current workforce needs, emerging trends, and employer priorities.
- Develop Future Talent: Connect qualified candidates to your organization through referrals, recruitment opportunities, and direct engagement with program participants.
- Invest in Employee Development: Support current staff in building new skills, earning credentials, and advancing along career pathways that promote retention and professional growth.
- Host Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Provide internships, job shadowing experiences, guest speakers, workplace tours, or other applied learning opportunities that expose participants to real-world behavioral health environments.
- Join the Advisory Group: Share industry expertise and help guide curriculum development, workforce alignment, and future program growth.
- Expand Community Awareness: Help promote career opportunities in behavioral health by sharing program information throughout your organization and professional networks.