Investing in the Workforce: Supporting Direct Caregivers Through Pathways to Success
(Feb. 9, 2026) At LeadingAge NY, one of our primary missions is supporting providers in strengthening and sustaining their workforce. Today, Feb. 9th, we are excited to share meaningful news that directly advances that mission. LeadingAge NY has been selected as a 2025-2026 grantee of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. This generous funding allows us to invest where the need is most urgent: the long-term care workforce.
Through this grant, we are launching “Pathways to Success for the Direct Care Giver,” a new life, care, and mentorship training program designed specifically for direct caregivers. This initiative focuses on workforce retention, empowerment, and professional growth by building life skills, caregiving competencies, and mentorship capacity among frontline staff.
Pathways to Success is a free, grant-funded, nine-month training opportunity for 100 direct caregivers across NYS, divided into two cohort groups:
- 50 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- 50 Home Health Aides (HHAs) and Personal Care Aides (PCAs)
This multidimensional program takes a holistic approach to workforce development, blending education, peer-to-peer mentoring, and meaningful networking and community-building experiences. The program is designed to strengthen confidence, enhance competence, and support caregiver well-being, while reinforcing the professional skills required in today’s long-term care settings.
The Pathways to Success program runs over nine months and includes:
- Seven monthly virtual training sessions
- Two in-person training sessions
- Travel stipends for all in-person sessions
- Incentives for reaching key program milestones
This structure ensures accessibility while fostering connection, mentorship, and sustained engagement over time.
Participants will engage in practical, skills-based learning focused on both personal and professional growth. Training topics include:
- Improving communication
- Managing conflict
- Professionalism in care settings
- Understanding and managing behaviors
- Customer service
- Dementia care
- Therapeutic recreational activities
- Trauma-informed care
- Sensitivity training within the care process
- Dignity and respect in caregiving
- Diversity and inclusion
- Nutrition in geriatric care
- Pressure ulcer prevention
Together, these topics are designed to enhance caregiver confidence, improve quality of care, and promote long-term career sustainability.
The Pathways to Success program in-person training sessions each last four hours, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and are delivered regionally across the state. Travel stipends are provided to support participant attendance at all in-person sessions. In-person sessions are scheduled as follows:
First In-Person Sessions
- Tues., April 21st in the Western Region
- Wed., April 22nd in the Central Region
- Thurs., April 23rd in the Capital Region
- Tues., April 28th in the Westchester area
- Wed., April 29th in the Brooklyn area
Second In-Person Sessions
- Tues., Nov. 3rd in the Western Region
- Wed., Nov. 4th in the Central Region
- Thurs., Nov. 5th in the Capital Region
- Tues., Nov. 17th in the Westchester area
- Wed., Nov. 18th in the Brooklyn area
In addition to the in-person trainings, participants will attend monthly virtual sessions held on the second Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. These interactive sessions are designed to reinforce learning, encourage peer-to-peer connection, and support ongoing skill development throughout the program.
Virtual session dates include:
- May 12th
- June 9th
- July 14th
- Aug. 11th
- Sept. 15th
- Oct. 13th
- Dec. 8th
LeadingAge NY is now accepting applications, and space is limited. We encourage organizations to act quickly and consider sponsoring their direct caregivers to participate in this transformative opportunity. Click here to apply.
For more information, please contact Cathy Bongermino at cbongermino@leadingageny.org.
Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 147