Thrive struggles to keep worke ers

A key part of First Lady Chirlane McCray’s (right) ThriveNYC program that trains employees at community groups to address mental-health problems is struggling to make a dent because the nonprofit employees don’t stick around.

A top city official acknowledged the $17.5 million initiative’s staffing difficulties during a panel session for ThriveNYC’s lightly attended annual conference, Cities Thrive, at the New York Law School on Tuesday.

More than 1,700 nonprofit workers have been trained through the Connections to Care program, according to City Hall tallies. But ThriveNYC spokespeople were unable to say how many still work at social-services organizations.

“There’s really high turnover in socialservices staff at community-based organizations across the city,” said Sinead Keegan, who runs the Social Innovation Fund at the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “It’s very costly, it’s a problem.”

The disclosure comes a year after the feds yanked $4 million from the $10 million they promised the program. A combination of city andnd private funds filled in the gap, according to ThriveNYC rep Joshua Goodman. oodman.

“What doesn’t ThriveNYCNYC under-understand about addressing seriousrious men-mental illness first?” asked Queens City Councilmember Robert Holden.

“That needs to be the e top priority rather than spending evenn more on training and outreach programs,” he added.