Train tuition-free for a CNA career—and get support all the way to employment.

It is a tuition-free workforce program from Uplift Communities and CRED that trains you toward Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification and supports you from application through certification preparation and employment assistance.

Uplift Communities and CRED run the overall program, including Uplift U learning, coaching, case management, job development, and participant support. Kingsborough Community College provides the CNA instruction and credentialing portion of the training.

Yes. The Summer 2026 Cohort 2 intake is focused on Certified Nurse Aide training. Other healthcare pathways may be offered in future cohorts, but they are not part of this intake.

The CNA training is tuition-free for participants who are selected and remain eligible. Participants are still responsible for meeting attendance, documentation, scheduling, transportation, and other requirements explained during selection and onboarding.

Yes. New York City residency is required to qualify for this program.

Yes. A high school diploma or GED is required. A high school diploma or higher degree earned in another country also qualifies.

No. Prior healthcare experience is not required. You should be interested in patient care and ready for the physical, academic, professional, and attendance expectations of CNA training.

Yes, we encourage you to apply. This program was built to open doors for New Yorkers who are too often overlooked, including justice-involved individuals who are ready to build a career. Some clinical placements or employers may have their own requirements, which the team will explain when applicable.

Watch the email address and phone number used on your application. Official selection and onboarding instructions come directly from the Uplift team. Your place is not confirmed until you receive and complete the required acceptance steps.

Training begins Monday, August 17, 2026.

Plan for about 25 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The intended pathway runs for 25 weeks and includes 135 hours of Kingsborough CNA training. Exact daily times will be shared during selection because classroom, lab, clinical, Uplift, and internship activities may occur at different times and locations.

Training takes place in Brooklyn, including Kingsborough Community College and other approved program or employer locations.

Approved, engaged class and program time may qualify. Physical attendance alone is not enough. Participants must be on time, actively involved, completing the work, and meeting program standards. The team will explain which activities and hours are approved.

Show up prepared and on time, do the work, communicate with staff, and treat instructors and classmates with professionalism and respect. Participation, continued enrollment, and approved stipend hours depend on meeting program standards.

Attendance is non-negotiable. Participants are expected to arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrival, skipped dates, disengagement, or arriving intoxicated or high may affect participation, approved hours, and continued enrollment.

If a real emergency occurs, contact your case manager as soon as possible. Make-up work and attendance requirements are explained during onboarding. Repeated absences can put both your seat and stipend eligibility at risk.

Expect to provide proof of identity, age, work authorization, New York City address, and education, plus other program-eligibility documents. Selected participants may also need health or clinical-clearance documents. The team will provide the final checklist and deadlines during selection and onboarding.

Participants receive access to the Uplift U learning platform, lessons and practice questions, tutoring and learning support, and staff check-ins. Ask for help early if you begin to fall behind.

Case managers help identify barriers, plan follow-up, and connect you with available support. Job developers help clarify goals, improve resumes and interview skills, research employers, identify opportunities, and prepare for internships, offers, and the first 90 days of employment. You are still responsible for doing the work and following through.

We provide employer connections and placement assistance and may help match ready participants with opportunities. Internships and hiring are not guaranteed; they depend on your effort, readiness, availability, program eligibility, and employer decisions.

Tell the team honestly what you need. Staff can assess available support and referrals. Specific benefits depend on eligibility, funding, documentation, and current program resources and are not guaranteed.

They are AI support tools inside the platform. Dr. Williams supports clinical learning and certification practice. Sage supports reflection, planning, program navigation, and career preparation. Human staff make all selection, support, certification, and employment decisions.

No. They are preparation tools that help you understand strengths and learning gaps. They are not official Prometric exams, credentials, or guarantees of passing.

You will access lessons and program tools online, so you need reliable internet and a connected device. If you have trouble with your login, password, or portal, tell the program team so they can connect you with technical help.

The application and portions of the platform support Spanish communication. We cannot promise fully bilingual CNA instruction or a fully translated curriculum. Tell the team if language access is important so they can explain what is available.

No. We provide training, preparation, job-development support, and placement assistance. Certification depends on completing program and official requirements and passing the applicable New York State examination process. Employment depends on certification, readiness, job availability, employer requirements, and employer hiring decisions.