New York City is trying to address both the growing mental health crisis and a shortage of workers in the behavioral health field through a city-run apprenticeship program. The "Earn While You Learn" program through the Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health trains community health workers while paying them during the process.

News 12 got an exclusive look at the program where apprentices help connect people with mental health and community resources. Program leaders say nearly a million people in New York City are not getting their mental health needs met, while the field continues to struggle with burnout and staffing shortages. At VIP Community Services in the Bronx, apprentices are already working directly with clients, gaining experience they may otherwise not be able to get without an advanced degree. "We help connect people with resources that they may not know that are available to them and may also be free to them so that they can live a better and healthier life," said Denise Pinero, a community health worker at VIP. Program leaders say the apprenticeship also helps participants build long-term careers in health care. According to the city, 80% of apprentices from the first cohort are being asked to stay on in full-time roles after completing the program. The city partnered with various comunity organizations across all five boroughs to launch this program.