FY25 •YEAR IN REVIEW
ILS ILS
INNOVATIVE LEARNING SOLUTIONS
ILS
FY25 •YEAR IN REVIEW
INNOVATIVE LEARNING SOLUTIONS Amy Perez Executive Director, Office of Innovative Learning Solutions Jennifer Chand Editor/Writer Rebecca Brown Cesarani, Tanja Carter-Searls, Dawn Picken Senior Program Directors Alan Rubenstein Copy Editor Dorothy Robinson Graphic Designer Kelly Cunningham Senior Graphic Designer
About ILS
The Office of Innovative Learning Solutions (ILS) at CUNY SPS is where CUNY SPS’s leadership in adult education is put into practice, connecting institutional expertise to practical, on-the-ground impact. We partner with organizations to strengthen performance through learning that is targeted, scalable, and built for how work actually gets done. Our team of more than 220 learning and development professionals operates across strategy and implementation. We collaborate with our partners to understand day-to-day operations, then design and deliver programs and technologies that produce measurable results.
This report is more than a summary of our work; it reflects the mission that drives it: enhancing organizational effectiveness and advancing careers through transformative learning experiences. The pages that follow offer a closer look at this work and the value it delivers. We invite you to consider how these solutions connect to your own priorities and to explore how we can partner to support your organization’s goals.
Amy Perez Executive Director amy.perez@cuny.edu 646-664-8646
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ILS Mission To enhance organizational effectiveness and elevate individual careers through the design and implementation of transformative learning programs.
Needs Assessment Instructional Design Training Operations Learning and Development Technology Course Delivery Evaluation and Reporting Process Re-engineering and Policy Documentation 3
FY25 •ILS BY THE NUMBERS
$45M TOTAL BUDGET
50%
REVENUE INCREASE SINCE 2021
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94,000+ COURSE ENROLLMENTS
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14 NUMBER OF ILS PROGRAMS
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37,000+ INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS SERVED
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Letter from the Dean As Dean of the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS), it is my pleasure to reflect back upon the exciting projects that our extraordinary Innovative Learning Solutions (ILS) unit has been working on over the past year. Established in 2006 by CUNY SPS with the belief that an urban university should pay attention to the needs of the city, ILS shares with the School a longstanding mission to support New York City and its constantly evolving workforce. While CUNY SPS does this work through degree programs, ILS thinks even further outside the box. It not only partners with agencies and organizations to develop learning solutions, but also provides employees with professional development through a variety of unique programs. As you’ll read in the coming pages, program development and innovation continue across ILS. The unit will soon launch its first microcredential, Leading with Purpose, which focuses on core leadership competencies such as hiring, delegation, and coaching. Similar to the research presented on pages 6-7 of this report highlighting the increased demand of concise, targeted credentialing and certificate programs, Leading with Purpose upskills current professionals for management roles. In tandem with ILS’ efforts, I am pleased to add that CUNY SPS will be launching a MS Strategic Nonprofit Management this fall, among other new programs. This groundbreaking master’s is a fully online, accelerated, asynchronous program with zero textbook costs that will equip working professionals with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills to drive impact in nonprofit organizations such as those ILS serves. These initiatives showcase our commitment to adult learners and New York professionals, and I am excited to lead CUNY SPS and ILS to our next chapter of impact and growth. I invite you to read this report and learn more about the impressive work ILS is doing.
Lisa R. Braverman, Ph.D. Dean, CUNY School of Professional Studies
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Microcredentials: Adapting Learning to the Workforce What are Microcredentials? Microcredentials are short, targeted educational programs designed to enhance specific skills and competencies, with a clear connection to work. Unlike traditional higher ed programs, they are smaller in scope and require months rather than years to complete, making them a flexible option for workers seeking to quickly acquire new skills or update existing ones.
Microcredentials can be non-credit, credit bearing, or stacked to build towards a larger qualification or degree.
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Microcredentials: continued Why They Matter As the need for a more versatile workforce continues to increase, microcredentials have become more relevant than ever. According to a recent report by Technavio, the global market for alternative credentials in higher education is projected to grow by $1.8 billion between 2025 and 2029. Microcredentials offer a time- and costefficient solution for addressing workforce skill gaps, enhancing employee retention, and staying competitive in rapidly evolving industries.
ILS Advantage Embedded within the CUNY School of Professional Studies, ILS leverages a robust foundation of curriculum expertise, distinguished facilitators with industry experience, and the institutional capacity to develop credit-bearing, stackable credentials, making it uniquely situated to develop these alternative forms of credentials.
ILS Initiatives Launching in FY26, Leading with Purpose will be ILS’s first microcredential, and is focused on core leadership competencies such as hiring, delegation, and coaching. ILS is also spearheading the development of a Learning and Development (L&D) certificate aimed at closing skill gaps among New York City government employees working in training development and facilitation roles. The certificate will initially be offered as a non-credit program, with eligibility for credit for prior learning (CPL) to support long-term educational advancement.
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ILS Notable Highlights Aligning with Industry Standards PARTNER: NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services PROGRAM: Energy Management Institute Since its inception, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Energy Management Institute has trained over 8,500 learners to make energy-smart decisions, implement operational improvements, and advocate for clean energy projects across New York City’s public buildings.
The Need Achieving accreditation by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has long been a strategic goal for the program. Accreditation would enable Energy Training to issue Continuing Education Units (CEUs) recognized across industries, enhance the credibility and transferability of the training, ensure that the instructional design meets rigorous adult learning standards, and provide a structured framework for continuous improvement.
Our Approach ILS embarked on the year-long process of building a robust application for accreditation that documented every aspect of Energy Training’s operations. This included drafting new policies or updating existing ones, developing standard operating procedures, preparing detailed documentation to support the application, and ensuring that training materials met the exacting standards outlined in the ANSI/IACET 1-2018 Standard for Continuing Education and Training. ILS selected three multi-modality courses offered through the DCAS Energy Management Institute to submit in the application as examples of exemplary training.
THE RESULTS Energy Training successfully obtained IACET accreditation, a programmatic milestone that marks formal recognition of the quality of the work and opens a new chapter in the program’s evolution and impact. The program serves a broad audience within the energy and building operations sector and offers a wide array of learning opportunities including courses, webinars, workshops, certifications, and specialized training sessions.
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ILS Notable Highlights Responding to Regulatory Changes PARTNER: NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) PROGRAM: Training Technology, eLearning and Direct Training Services Program
The Need The NYS Mandated Reporter (MR) training is an online course that is required to be completed by hundreds of thousands of learners statewide each year. In 2025, significant changes were made to the state’s mandated reporter law that focused on identifying indicators of abuse or maltreatment in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Substantial course revisions were needed to quickly incorporate these changes to the law, as well as accommodate a sharp increase in learners. These revisions were rolled out in September 2025.
Our Approach The ILS eLearning team used AI software to re-narrate impacted course modules in both the English and Spanish versions of the course. The team also created an I/DD Addendum in both English and Spanish to give users (based on date of completion) access to a short module with the additional I/DD content instead of asking those users to complete the entire course again. he ILS Training Technology and Data Analysis Team managed the significant increase in learners by T updating the learning management system, increasing bandwidth of OCFS’ training servers, enhancing the MR course website, and creating customized training completion certificates to validate authenticity and prevent falsification. he ILS Registration and Support Services Team mobilized quickly to support the high volume of T learners who complete the MR training annually.
THE RESULTS • A smooth rollout with over 250,000 individuals and counting successfully completing either the full training or the I/DD Addendum. • Integrated sustainable processes that support long-term training management.
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ILS Notable Highlights Addressing Access to Youth Mental Health Care PROGRAM: Academy for Community Behavioral Health The Academy for Community Behavioral Health (the Academy) uses participatory methods to co-design and pilot care models that advance community-centered mental health supports.
The Need With rising rates of distress and unequal access to care among young people, including youth experiencing racism, violence or discrimination linked to an LGBTQ+ or immigrant identity, homelessness, and economic insecurity, the Academy developed a Youth Mental Health Advocate (YMHA) pilot program to engage youth in addressing pressing mental health challenges they face. YMHA is part of Working the Gap, an initiative of CUNY SPS Youth Studies.
Our Approach Through co-design workshops, reflection logs, surveys, and more, the Academy co-created the YMHA pilot program with participating Youth Advocates and key staff at their host CBOs. The program provides YMHAs with comprehensive training and coaching in skills to care for their own mental health, as well as provide mental health support to other young people in 1:1 and group settings. As part of the program, YMHAs received: • 150+ hours of paid applied skills training and coaching • Up to 34 weeks of part-time work, supervision, and support at a youth-serving CBO • Up to 8 optional college credits • Specialized support to pursue next steps in their education or career
THE RESULTS Due to the success of the pilot, the Academy has secured additional funding from the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity to update the program model, strengthen its impact, broaden its reach, and promote long-term sustainability. • 15 YMHAs accepted roles at 5 NYC CBOs • 13 completed the 9-month program • 12 completed a community project using participatory action research skills to identify a youth mental health need at their CBO and test a response • 8 Youth Advocates earned free, optional college credits • At program end, 6 YMHAs enrolled or re-enrolled in college, 3 entered vocational training, and 8 had secured their next job
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ILS Notable Highlights Creating Structured Learning Paths PARTNER: NYC Human Resources Administration, Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) PROGRAM: OCSS Training Program Since 2008, ILS has partnered with OCSS to develop and deliver comprehensive agency-wide training to OCSS staff working in a range of roles and locations.
The Need With the expansion of the ILS/OCSS training program, OCSS leadership recognized the need for a more structured approach to staff development. Their goal was to create Learning Paths—clearly defined sequences of required training designed to prepare staff for their specific job functions and responsibilities within the agency.
Our Approach ILS worked with OCSS to conduct a comprehensive analysis of role-specific competencies, resulting in the development of Learning Paths aligned with the unique responsibilities of staff across the agency. To support implementation of these learning paths, ILS created the OCSS Learning Link, a centralized training hub powered by the Absorb Learning Management System (LMS). The platform houses 18 distinct Learning Paths and serves as a tool for tracking training enrollment, attendance, and course completion.
THE RESULTS • Targeted and strategic training: learning paths support a more intentional alignment between training offerings and staff development goals. • Clarity and transparency for staff: OCSS staff can easily determine which trainings are required for their roles, reinforcing performance expectations. • Data-driven decision making for managers: OCSS management now has access to systematic, data-informed methods for identifying training needs and submitting course requests. • Efficient course planning: ILS can more accurately estimate training demand, enabling the development of a more focused and responsive training calendar. 45 COURSES 8 UNITS 450+ STAFF
18 LEARNING PATHS tracked, monitored, and reported in a robust LMS
A MORE STRATEGIC TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ALIGNS WITH STAFF DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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More ILS Program Highlights Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Training for NYC Care Providers The Academy for Community Behavioral Health now offers over 30 free courses to the public, reaching 1,500 learners in FY25. These courses focus on core areas such as compassion-based resilience training, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and racial equity and traumainformed practice. The Academy also led Mutual Survival in NYC, a public virtual event series aimed at fostering connection and resource-sharing among city agencies and other organizations serving immigrant populations.
“As a result of this course, I no longer view care as merely “helping,” but as a more intricate, mutually beneficial activity that involves responsibility, empathy, boundaries, and attention.” - Learner, Foundations of Care
Trauma-Informed Care, Accountability, Customer Service Program (TACS) Rebrand The Anti-Bias Trauma Informed training initiative, a partnership with the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS), underwent a rebrand and is now the Trauma-Informed Care, Accountability, Customer Service program (TACS). This change aligns with the agency’s mission of providing excellent customer service and dignity-centered services to all, by supporting staff from a trauma-informed perspective and empowering them to interact with clients in the same manner. Courses offered by TACS include the Crisis Prevention Institute: Verbal Intervention Training, Tending the Roots, and Trauma-Informed Interview Training.
Managing for Innovation Re-Launches Alumni Network In January 2025, ILS hosted the first in-person reunion for graduates of the Managing for Innovation (MFI) program, held six months after course completion. The reunion provided a supportive space for graduates to report back on their progress toward goals set during the course, discuss current challenges in peer breakout groups, and participate in a new module on delegation. - Managing for Innovation Graduate Participants noted the value of “having the opportunity to share our challenges and receive feedback from our peers” and “seeing everyone and our progress.” 2025 also marked the successful pilot of a new Coaching Workshop in which attendees role-played a real-life coaching scenario using a coaching model that they could immediately apply at their jobs. “It was great reconnecting with everyone and having the opportunity to share our challenges and receive feedback from our peers.”
Strengthening Strengthening Workplace Workplace Safety Safety by by Reimagining Reimagining “Right “Right to to Know” Know” Training Training
The Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Homeless The Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Homeless Services rely on the annual Right to Know (RTK) eLearning course to ensure that over 12,000 employees Services rely on the annual Right to Know (RTK) eLearning course to ensure that over 12,000 employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and workplace safety protocols. Over time, learners expressed understand their rights, responsibilities, and workplace safety protocols. Over time, learners expressed fatigue with revisiting the same content year after year, which led the ILS team to reimagine the training. fatigue with revisiting the same content year after year, which led the ILS team to reimagine the training. They refreshed and redesigned the content to reflect current workplace realities while maintaining a They refreshed and redesigned the content to reflect current workplace realities while maintaining a consistent foundation of safety and compliance. Learners praised the revamped training as “brilliant” consistent foundation of safety and compliance. Learners praised the revamped training as “brilliant” and “more engaging and easier to follow than previous years.” and “more engaging and easier to follow than previous years.” 12
More ILS Program Highlights DHS FIN Increases Financial Literacy Now in its eighth year, the NYC Department of Homeless Services’ Financial Independence Now (DHS FIN) program saw a 19% increase in year-over-year learner completions. This increase is due, in part, to a more comprehensive and targeted communications plan as well as providing learners with support via a live chat function. According to one participant, “This was one of the best online trainings I’ve had. I feel ready to not only assist my clients but myself and those close to me.” Since launching in 2018, over 1,000 shelter and agency staff have been trained on financial coaching strategies and tools to help their clients set and achieve financial goals.
ILS and NYC Training Council Collaboration ILS continues to partner with the NYC Training Council (NYCTC) to support its mission to create a shared knowledge base of training resources and educational programs as well as create a space for New York City training leaders to exchange ideas and L&D best practices. ILS organizes and hosts bimonthly meetings and are featured presenters on topics such as AI tools for rapid instructional design and the use of Chatbots to support transfer of learning. Under a newly formed Executive Board that includes an ILS member, new leadership, and a stronger online presence, NYCTC engagement has nearly doubled in the past year.
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ILS staff published two articles in the Journal of Public Mental Health. Read them here: “Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) to Protect and Nurture Community Care Providers” by Elise Tosatti and Lana Khamash
“Task Sharing: Transfer of Knowledge from Thrive NYC to the Scottish Context” by Julie Cameron and Elise Tosatti
NYC Department of Correction Increases Funding for Training Programs The Department of Correction (DOC) increased funding for training programs and continues to collaborate with ILS to expand leadership development and learning paths for mid-level managers. This includes certification in Fundamentals of Evaluating Learning Impact, Training & Facilitation, and Advanced DiSC® certification (personality assessment tool) for DOC leadership. DOC also launched an American Sign Language Training, which successfully trained the first cohort of 15 staff members, equipping them with fundamental ASL communication skills 13
Overview of Programs ACS WORKFORCE INSTITUTE NYC Administration for Children’s Services Inception: 2015 This comprehensive workforce development program provides ongoing, professional skills development for direct service staff and supervisors at ACS and its many partner agencies, including strengthsbased practices, coaching, safety and risk assessment, implicit bias, evidence-based modeling, and other specialized coursework.
BENEFITS ACCESS PROGRAM Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Inception: 2025 This program supports the positions vital to the smooth operation and continued growth of the City’s benefits access work, including managing key products such as ACCESS NYC and the NYC Benefits Platform and piloting new tools such as My File NYC, helping to connect over 3 million New Yorkers to vital programs and services.
COASTAL STORM PLAN TRAINING NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services and NYC Emergency Inception: 2010 This series of online courses is designed for City agency staff who are assigned a role in the Coastal Storm Plan evacuation and sheltering system and require training on procedures
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required for storm-related emergency operations. The program is also available to state, federal, NGO, and private partner organizations that provide support for these operations.
DSS DHS STAFF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
measures that support the City’s major greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. This includes making energy-smart decisions, implementing operational improvements, and advocating for energy retrofits and clean energy projects across the City’s portfolio.
NYC Department of Social Services Inception: 2019
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE NOW
This comprehensive workforce development program focuses on operational processes and City-mandated topics for DSS’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and Human Resource Administration (HRA) and their provider staff.
NYC Department of Homeless Services Inception: 2018
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION ON-THE-JOB TRAINING NYC Department of Correction Inception: 2017 ILS coordinates leadership development, on-the job training, and other skill-building programs for uniform and non-uniform staff of the City’s correctional facilities, through relationships with a variety of learning and development vendors.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Energy Management Inception: 2009 EMI offers a broad range of trainings, certifications, and other technical support to City staff responsible for implementing energy-efficient
This financial literacy learning and coaching program provides financial coaching strategies and tools to DHS agency and shelter-based staff to help shelter clients set and reach financial goals. The program also aims to increase client access to free financial counseling services at New York City Financial Empowerment Centers.
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CREDENTIAL PROGRAM NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Inception: 2011 This 14-week virtual training for front-line workers and supervisors from public, private, and nonprofit health and human services systems, emphasizes empowerment and family support to reorient the way services are delivered. The credential is issued by the Center for Culture, Health & Human Development at the University of Connecticut.
Overview of Programs continued OCSS/CUNY TRAINING PROGRAM NYC Human Resources Administration Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) Inception: 2008 This comprehensive workforce development program builds capacity among OCSS staff at all levels in operational processes and procedures to support the collection and distribution of child support payments, modification and enforcement of child support orders, and other key child support processes.
MANAGING FOR INNOVATION Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Inception: 2011 This in-person, leadership development program is designed for managers at New York City nonprofit organizations, City agencies, and Mayoral Offices who oversee Cityfunded human services programs and systems change initiatives. The curriculum focuses on key competencies needed for effective program management, such as strategic planning, performance monitoring, and contract management.
THE ACADEMY FOR COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health and Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Inception: 2021 The Academy provides a broad range of free courses to communitybased organizations and other social service providers to address behavioral health. The program also pilots new community-centered care approaches, and offers custom services for city and state agencies.
TRAINING TECHNOLOGY, DISTANCE LEARNING AND DIRECT TRAINING SERVICES PROGRAM NYS Office of Children and Family Services Inception: 2010 This comprehensive, workforce development program provides state, local district, and provider agency staff (including child welfare and adult protective caseworkers and supervisors, juvenile justice staff, and foster/adoptive parents) with mandated training on topics designed to promote health and safety among children and adults.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM (TACS) NYC Department of Social Services Inception: 2019 This one-day, in-person training for DSS staff is focused on understanding automatic patterns of thinking, bias, and trauma, and their influence on behavior and decision-making in the workplace. It includes an eLearning component.
UNLOCKING EMPLOYMENT: HOW TO PARTNER WITH JOB SEEKERS IMPACTED BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity Inception: 2018 This 90-minute, free eLearning course provides frontline staff and program leadership at NYC workforce development programs and criminal justice students with best practices and resources for working with job seekers who have legal-system involvement.
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Check out our free online courses The Academy for Community Behavioral Health www.academy4cbh.org/
Unlocking Employment: How to Partner with Job Seekers Impacted by the Legal System cuny.swoogo.com/unlocking-employment-course
Interested in learning more or working with us? Email us: Amy.perez@cuny.edu