The Behavioral Health Career Pathways Program is a free 4.5-month hybrid training that strengthens the skills and competencies of Care Coordinators, Peer Counselors, Community Health Workers, and other frontline professionals as they prepare for mid-level roles. Rooted in Guttman’s commitment to equity, opportunity, and meaningful career growth, the program responds to New York City’s urgent need for compassionate, skilled practitioners who can support individuals and communities facing intersecting behavioral health challenges.
This program is made possible through the generous support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, Trinity Church, and the Summerfield Foundation.
Program Focus
The curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices as guiding principles for effective, equitable care. It combines experiential, work-based learning with holistic support to prepare a workforce ready to promote healing, resilience, and equity across New York City.
Throughout the program, participants develop:
- Reflective practice, self-awareness, and resilience
- Ethical decision-making, professional integrity, and strong boundaries
- Collaboration, communication, and leadership across multidisciplinary teams
- Confidence in navigating career pathways and healthcare systems
- Case management skills and proficiency with technology and data tools
- A commitment to lifelong learning and continued professional development
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Behavioral Health Career Pathways Program, participants will be able to:
- Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based practices to support individuals and communities with diverse behavioral health needs
- Advocate for equitable, client-driven care and communicate effectively with supervisors, clinicians, and management to address barriers and influence positive change
- Engage in reflective practice to evaluate what is and isn’t working, seek feedback, and adapt approaches to strengthen professional effectiveness and team relationships
- Use case management skills to assess needs, connect clients to resources, coordinate care, and track outcomes through accurate documentation and data tools
- Model professionalism, ethical integrity, and leadership, contributing to supportive team environments and mentoring newer frontline staff
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the Behavioral Health Career Pathways Program, students must attend a two-week orientation, complete five core classes, participate in work-based learning activities, and submit a capstone project. The program reserves the right to adjust which classes are offered for each cohort.
See the course descriptions below for more details on each class.
Pathways Exploration
This two-week introduction helps students understand the program’s structure, key competencies, and potential career paths. Through interactive activities, participants reflect on their strengths, set professional goals, and learn strategies for succeeding in work-based learning and certification pathways.
Behavioral Health I
Students learn Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach that supports behavior change and engagement. The course covers effective communication, goal setting, cultural competency, and the influence of social and community factors on well-being.
Behavioral Health II
This course focuses on trauma-informed care, teaching how stress and trauma affect behavior and relationships. Participants practice strategies for self-regulation and supporting clients in building resilience, connection, and well-being.
Professional Foundations with AI Integration
Students strengthen workplace skills such as communication, time management, conflict resolution, and professional boundaries while gaining hands-on experience with AI tools for documentation and professional correspondence. The course combines professional development with technology to prepare learners for career growth.
Leadership Development
Students develop critical thinking, supervisory skills, coaching strategies, and performance tracking within team contexts. The course also covers effective communication with supervisors and client advocacy, strengthening leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
Data Operations
This course introduces essential Excel skills for managing, analyzing, and presenting behavioral health data. Through practical exercises, participants learn to organize information, summarize results, and make data-informed decisions.
Case Management Fundamentals
Students learn the core skills of effective case management, including assessing client needs, coordinating services, documenting care, and tracking outcomes. The course emphasizes client advocacy, ethical practice, and strategies to support individuals and families across diverse behavioral health settings.
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Partner With Us
We’re always looking to collaborate with organizations committed to strengthening New York City’s behavioral health workforce. Partnering with us gives your staff the tools, knowledge, and support to deliver high-quality care while advancing their careers. Together we can meet evolving workforce needs and create meaningful, lasting impact:
- Co-Design Programming: Collaborate with us to tailor training that meets your specific workforce and service needs.
- Empower Your Workforce: Equip your staff with skills that align with your organization’s goals and evolving needs.
- Increase Employee Engagement: Boost career growth and job satisfaction through targeted skill development.
- Invest in Growth and Retention: Support career advancement to reduce turnover and build long-term organizational strength.
- Enhance Service Quality: Integrate trauma-informed, evidence-based practices to improve client outcomes.
- Strengthen Team Collaboration: Build capacity for coordinated care and effective communication across roles.
To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact us at workforce@guttman.cuny.edu or 646-313-8259.
Our Partners
Guttman's Workforce Advisory Group
Brings together organizations rooted in direct service, clinical care, and community advocacy to strengthen New York City’s behavioral health workforce. Together, the group identifies real gaps in staffing and skills, particularly for entry-level workers seeking to grow into mid-level roles. By co-designing training pathways and defining the core skills and competencies frontline workers need to advance, the group is building career ladders shaped by real-world work environments and accessible to people with varied backgrounds and lived experience.
This work also directly addresses the needs of employers searching for qualified, committed behavioral health staff. The goal is to create a workforce that reflects the city’s diverse communities and is equipped, supported, and ready to meet the city’s pressing behavioral health challenges.
Henry Street Settlement
With a long history of providing place-based services, Henry Street blends mental health care with housing, youth services, and employment programs in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. They support the needs of the whole person and bring insight into what it takes to build trust in communities.
Henry Street contributes ideas toward curriculum design and serves as a bridge to Manhattan’s Lower East Side community and beyond. They refer prospective students into the training, create a direct channel between the community and the program, and help to ensure that the skills and competencies taught in the program align with actual community needs.
Maimonides Medical Center
Serving a diverse Brooklyn population, Maimonides brings clinical depth and firsthand understanding of the mental health needs at both inpatient and outpatient facilities. They serve as a referral source for incumbent workers and a strategic partner in workforce planning.
Their leadership helps to identify entry-level behavioral health positions that align with the program’s pipeline and the skills and qualifications required for mid-level roles, ensuring the training prepares students for advancement.