Nazareth University Partners with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) to Strengthen New York's Health, Behavioral Health, and Social Care Workforce

Rochester, NY (05/08/2025) — Nazareth University has partnered with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) on the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program, a state-funded program designed to address workforce shortages in health, behavioral health, and social care sectors across New York State, and aims to build a diverse and skilled workforce capable of serving New York's most vulnerable populations.

Through this program, tuition and education-related expenses-including textbooks, most supplies, and other academic fees- are covered after financial aid is applied for eligible participants to pursue education and training in one of 13 high-demand health, behavioral health, or social care roles. Support services are also available to participants to ensure academic success.

Programs offered at Nazareth University include: a Master of Social Work degree and a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science degree.

"Our collaboration with FLPPS through the CPT Program enables us to remove financial barriers for students aspiring to make a meaningful impact in their communities," said Cathy Rasmussen, dean of Nazareth's College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services. "Together, we're creating pathways to rewarding careers in essential care fields-while also strengthening the workforce in the regions that need it most. We're proud to be part of a solution that supports both individual career goals and broader community health needs."

The CPT Program is open to new academic students and offers pathways for both individuals entering the health, behavioral health, and social care workforce for the first time, and current workers seeking career advancement.

As part of the program, participants are required to complete their education and training by Spring 2027 and then commit to three years of full-time employment with a New York State Medicaid-enrolled provider that serves at least 30 percent of Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals. This service commitment must be completed by 2031.

"We're proud to support individuals who are eager to enter or advance in the health workforce but may face financial or social barriers to do so," said Carol Tegas, CEO of FLPPS. "The CPT Program is about more than education-it's about equity, opportunity, and meeting the real needs of our communities. Our partnership with Nazareth University helps ensure that talented, committed individuals can access meaningful careers, while we build a stronger, more resilient health workforce for the long term."

The CPT Program also offers robust support services to help participants thrive-ranging from program readiness and educational case management to ongoing academic support, career coaching, and job placement assistance. These services help participants successfully transition from education to employment and provide continued support throughout their three-year service commitment.

Working nurses with associate's degrees are eligible for the R.N. to B.S. degree at Nazareth, a degree that most newly-licensed registered nurses need within 10 years of licensure. People with a bachelor's degree in any subject who want to make a difference as a social worker in the health care field can earn a master's degree in social work (MSW) through Nazareth in person or online. This degree prepares students to help individuals, families, and communities manage personal and social challenges through counseling and resource coordination.

Individuals must apply for the CPT Program through the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) that serves the county in which they have permanent residency. The FLPPS region covers Western NY, the Finger Lakes, and a portion of the Southern Tier. Learn more about the CPT Program at https://healthcareersnow.org/cpt.

Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) is a NYS-designated Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) selected by the NYS Department of Health to support regional management of the CPT Program. The FLPPS WIO is focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce through programs and services that diversify the healthcare workforce pipeline and provide opportunities for those who may not otherwise have them, while supporting the community's economic mobility.