Norther Area Health Education Center Awarded $5 Million Grant

CANTON, NY (12/08/2025) (readMedia)-- Northern Area Health Education Center (NAHEC) has been awarded a $5 million, 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 program will address the region's critical healthcare workforce shortages by providing mentorship, training, wraparound supports, and life-skills education for students and trainees pursuing healthcare careers.

"This investment represents a transformative opportunity for Northern New York," said Richard Merchant, CEO of NAHEC. "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

The North Country faces significant healthcare workforce shortages driven by persistent poverty, an aging population, and long travel distances that limit access to care. Across the region's seven counties (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence), there are federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in at least one discipline-primary care, dental, and/or mental health-reflecting widespread access constraints. Statewide analyses by the Center for Health Workforce Studies show that Upstate regions-including the North Country-have experienced declines in hospital and nursing-home employment in recent years even as demand continues to grow in primary care, geriatrics, and behavioral health; home health and ambulatory care are expanding but have not closed the gap, leaving chronic vacancies and unmet need across the region.

NCHELP 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

NAHEC 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 Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO), 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

"FDRHPO is proud to partner with NAHEC on the North Country Healthcare Education and Life-skills Program (NCHELP)." said Pat Fontana, FDRHPO Deputy Director. "This initiative will give healthcare career seekers across our region the financial, academic, and personal support they need to achieve their career goals."

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 NCHELP. 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 NCHELP into a coordinated, data-driven model for workforce development," said Emily Ehrensperger, Center Director of NAHEC. "It allows us to measure progress, refine interventions, and scale what works statewide."

The Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) will support evaluation and continuous improvement by analyzing workforce outcomes and participant data to guide ongoing refinement.

Building a Diverse and Sustainable Workforce

NCHELP 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.

"NCHELP creates real opportunities for residents to build meaningful healthcare careers close to home" Fontana said. "This is a win for our communities and for our healthcare partners, strengthening the local workforce and ensuring that hospitals, clinics, and community organizations have the skilled professionals they need for years to come."

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

"NCHELP 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 NAHEC and the NCHELP program, visit www.northernahec.org/help