Youth Mentoring Program Candidate Next Step Information
1. What is the Youth Mentoring Program?
The Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) is an innovative project of the Labor Management Initiative, Inc., administered by the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC). The program exposes teens of eligible 1199SEIU members to careers in the healthcare field through a paid, six-week summer work and educational experience at a participating hospital or nursing home. The YMP provides participants with leadership skills, professional development opportunities and career/education guidance, all while helping to establish a future workforce of young professionals.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the YMP on their child’s behalf?
1199SEIU members (with a qualifying high school age child) who are:
- Wage Class I for at least one full year
- Currently employed at a participating YMP institution
2026 Youth Mentoring Program Participating Institutions
3. Is the YMP a paid employment opportunity?
Yes! YMP participants are paid the New York State minimum wage ($17 per hour), work up to 24 hours per week (Monday – Thursday) and are required to attend the six-week program in its entirety. Vacations and other missed program days, including for summer school, will disqualify the candidate.
4. Does applying guarantee acceptance into the YMP?
No. All applications from eligible members are considered, but not all students are accepted. Candidates are selected based on the student’s age, the member’s length of service at their current institution and the number of available placements at the participating hospital or nursing home.
CCF’s Alternative Child-care Services website lists other community and program resources.
5. How are the YMP participants identified?
The YMP Program has three phases:
- Applicant Phase: Members who have a qualifying child apply by the deadline.
- Candidate Phase: Selected candidates attend a required YMP Orientation Session, submit required documents, complete all required institution-based medical clearance steps (including interviews and onsite orientations) and successfully complete the in-person YMP Pre-program Training by the deadlines.
- Participant Phase: Students who complete all the required steps in the Candidate Phase and have their medical clearance accepted by the assigned institution are officially accepted into the YMP. (Notifications are sent after medical clearance is accepted by the institution.)
Example:
- Member completes and submits the application and Universal Parent Waiver by February 15, 2026.
- Candidate attends the YMP Orientation Session and completes the interview assessment.
- All required 1199SEIU Child Care Corporation documentation is submitted by March 31, 2026. (Special considerations are made for pending NYS working papers.)
- Candidate submits all required hospital/nursing home documentation and medical forms and attends required institution-based orientations/interviews by designated due dates (please refer to your institution’s Next Steps document).
- Candidates are medically cleared by the institution. (Requirements may include a background check and drug testing/toxicology.)
- Candidate attends the required YMP Pre-program Training.
- Official participant notification is received.
Required Documents
Submit required documents to Youth.Mentoring@1199Funds.org by March 31, 2026.
- Student’s New York State working papers (green or blue card)
- Out-of-state candidates are required to obtain NYS working papers
- Please see the child’s guidance counselor for more information on obtaining working papers
- Federal Form W-4 with the candidate’s information, not the member’s information; access the form on the IRS website
- Photo ID (acceptable forms of ID: NYS ID card or driver’s license, passport, school ID)
Medical Clearance Process
Each participating YMP site requires a separate registration and medical clearance process. Please adhere to the individual guidelines provided by the institution. In addition, be aware that there are immunization and medical requirements. All medical clearance documentation must be submitted to the institution directly. YMP staff are not allowed to forward medical information on the candidate’s behalf.
Required Orientation
Each YMP candidate is required to attend a program orientation. During these events, candidates learn essential information regarding participant experiences and expectations. The Code of Conduct and participant contract is reviewed, and candidates are invited to meet with a team member to complete the required interview and assessment. We encourage candidates to meet on their own with a team member. Orientation, including meeting with a team member, lasts about two hours.
To register for an orientation session, please select from the following dates:
YMP Virtual Orientation Modules
YMP Virtual Orientation Module 1
YMP Virtual Orientation Module 2
Have Questions?
For more information about the Youth Mentoring Program, email us at Youth.Mentoring@1199Funds.org or visit the YMP website.