BQLI AHEC Awarded $5 Million Grant from New York State Department of Health

BROOKLYN, NY (11/24/2025) (readMedia)-- The Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island Area Health Education Center (BQLI AHEC) has been awarded a five million dollar, five year grant through the Healthcare Education and Life skills Program (HELP), funded by the New York State Department of Health's Office of Healthcare Workforce Innovation. Launching January 1, 2026, the initiative will address critical healthcare workforce shortages across the five New York City counties Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, and Queens by providing mentorship, training, wraparound supports, and life skills education for students and trainees pursuing healthcare careers.

"This investment represents a transformative opportunity for New York City," said Richard Merchant, CEO of BQLI AHEC. "Through HELP, we can reduce entry barriers, increase training retention, and build a healthcare workforce that truly reflects and serves our communities."

Addressing Critical Regional Needs

New York City faces significant healthcare workforce shortages driven by deep health inequities, high poverty and uninsured rates, and growing demand for primary and behavioral health services. More than 2.3 million residents live in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) reports that healthcare employment across the city has declined in recent years while demand continues to rise, especially in primary care, geriatrics, and behavioral health. Hospitals, nursing homes, and home-health agencies are struggling to recruit and retain essential workers, including registered nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical laboratory technologists, and home health and personal care aides, resulting in thousands of projected annual openings that remain unfilled.

NYC HELP will directly address these challenges by offering an open assessment to all incoming and current healthcare students and trainees to identify eligible financial, academic, and wraparound support services. This data-driven approach ensures every participant receives personalized assistance and that underrepresented groups, including those facing financial hardship, are supported equitably.

A Comprehensive, Community-Driven Approach

NYC AHEC will integrate the Community Engagement Framework (CEF) and human-centered design (HCD) principles to ensure program development is informed by the lived experiences of participants and community partners. Through collaboration with local schools, healthcare employers, and community organizations, the program will provide:

• Case management and wraparound services addressing transportation, childcare, and financial barriers
• Mentorship and life-skills training focused on communication, financial literacy, and emotional resilience
• Career pathway connections through internships, job shadowing, and local employment pipelines
• Culturally responsive outreach that includes bilingual materials and engagement with refugee and immigrant communities

"Our goal is not just to fill vacancies; it's to create long-term opportunity," Merchant said. "We're working to ensure that every student, no matter their background, has a clear, supported pathway into a meaningful healthcare career."

Digital Innovation through ICAM

The Institute for Career Advancement in Medicine (ICAM), co-designed by Health WorkForce New York (HWNY) in collaboration with community partners, will serve as the digital foundation for NYC HELP. Through ICAM, participants will access mentoring, training, and wraparound supports in one secure platform. Case managers can track participant progress in real time, employers can connect with qualified candidates, and partners can analyze data to improve outcomes.

"ICAM transforms NYC HELP into a coordinated, data-driven model for workforce development," said Nicholas Chun, Center Director of BQLI AHEC. "It allows us to measure progress, refine interventions, and scale what works statewide."

CHWS will support evaluation and continuous improvement by analyzing workforce outcomes and participant data to guide ongoing refinement.

Building a Diverse and Sustainable Workforce

NYC HELP will support participants from local schools, community colleges, and workforce development programs, working closely with educational institutions, community-based organizations, and regional healthcare employers. These collaborations will expand access to training and strengthen retention in local facilities.

By integrating education, mentorship, digital tools, and wraparound supports, NYC HELP will build a sustainable pipeline of diverse healthcare professionals ready to serve Central New York's communities.

"NYC HELP is about creating a system that works for everyone," Merchant said. "When our students succeed, our healthcare system becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient."

For more information about BQLI AHEC and the NYC HELP program, visit www.bqliahec.org/help