Application Cycle: Delayed

The Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program is delayed and will not be launched in May 2024 as originally planned.

The Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program increases the number of appropriately trained mental health professionals providing direct client care in a qualified facility or area in California.  

Background and Mission:

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) works to increase and diversify California’s healthcare workforce by providing loan repayments and scholarships to health professional students and graduates who provide direct client care in those communities.

LMH is funded through a $20 surcharge from renewal and licensure fees collected by the Department of Consumer Affairs for psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and professional clinical counselors in California.

Awardee Program Requirements Loan Repayment Program:

In exchange for a 12-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, eligible mental health professionals may receive a loan repayment of up to $15,000. Awardees are expected to meet program requirements for the duration of the LMH program. Awardee is defined as an applicant who has been selected to receive the LMH program award and who has signed their Grant Agreement. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to disqualification and termination from the program. Awardees may be considered in breach of their Grant Agreement if they are unable to comply with the terms of their contract. If an awardee does not meet the terms of their contractual obligations, they may not be eligible for the annual payment.

Below is the list of program requirements awardees are expected to comply with:

• Maintain a current and unrestricted license and be in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and/or the California Board of Psychology.

• Have existing qualifying educational loan debt incurred while pursuing a degree to practice in an eligible mental health profession.

• Keep said educational loans in good standing.

• Must not be in breach of any other HCAI/health professional service obligation.

• Must not participate or have an existing service obligation with another entity, including other HCAI funded programs.

• Submit progress reports, in the form required by HCAI, demonstrating compliance with program requirements and their agreement/contract.

• Maintain 32 hours or more per week of direct client care during the entirety of the contract period.

• To inform HCAI in writing within 30 business days of any change in contact information (mailing address, telephone number, email address, etc.), or any change in circumstances impacting an awardee’s eligibility to receive or participate in the LMH program.

• Complete and submit an application through the HCAI eApp Funding Portal by June 14, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (DELAYED)

Eligible Practice Sites:

An applicant must provide direct client care in one of the following eligible geographic areas or approved site designations:

• Children’s Hospital

• Health Professional Shortage Area – Mental Health (HPSA-MH)

• Non-Profit Mental Health Facility that contracts with a county entity to provide mental health services

• Clinics providing Reproductive Health and abortion-related services

• Publicly Funded Mental Health Facility

• State-Operated Health Facility

• Correctional Facility

• Public Mental Health Facility

• Substance Use Facility

• County-Operated Health Facility

• Public School Facility

• Veteran’s Facility

Email: HWDD-LRP@hcai.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 326-3700