The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) administers several programs that now have open application cycles for loan repayment assistance, training and grant opportunities.
These programs are designed for health care professionals working in medically underserved areas, and the organizations that employ them. We have summaries of some of these programs below for your information. Full details of each program are available at the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Healthcare Workforce site.
County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
The CMSP Loan Repayment Program increases the number of primary care physicians, psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and dentists practicing in medically underserved areas. CMSP, in partnership with the State LRP, assists with the repayment of qualified educational loans for primary care healthcare professionals who provide healthcare services at an approved site located in the 35 CMSP counties. Applications are due on March 30, 2018 at 11:59 pm. Apply online through OSHPD.
California State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
SLRP increases the number of primary care physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, pharmacists, and licensed mental/behavioral healthcare professionals practicing in federally designated California Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). SLRP assists with the repayment of qualified educational loans for eligible primary health care professionals in exchange for working in a HPSA.
Song-Brown Program
The Song-Brown program aims to increase the number of students and residents receiving quality primary care education and training in areas of unmet need throughout California. The program does not provide funding to individual students. Instead, it awards grants to training programs committed to increasing the number of primary care providers in California.
While the latest application cycle for all three funding areas closed in the fall of 2017, this is an important opportunity to research and monitor. More than $30 million will support more than 175 primary care residency slots this year, and $1.5 million will go to family nurse practitioner/physician assistant training programs. Awards for their Registered Nurse Education Program will be decided on February 28.
Workforce Education and Training Program (WET)
The WET program aims to reduce the shortage of mental health practitioners in the public mental health system through grants which support stipends, educational capacity, consumer and family member employment, peer personnel preparation, workforce retention, pipeline programs, and regional partnerships. WET recently awarded $4 million in grants to 10 organizations in one of its funding areas.
Health Careers Training Program - Mini Grants
This Mini Grants program provides organizations up to $15,000 to support under-represented, economically, and educationally disadvantaged students in pursuit of healthcare careers through healthcare conferences and workshops, and health career exploration. The 2017-18 Mini Grants application will open February 26, 2018 and will close on March 26, 2018 at 3:00 pm.
Summary of Important Dates
- January 30, 2018 - CMSP LRP application opened
- February 26, 2018 - Mini Grants application opens
- February 28, 2018 - Song-Brown RN Funding Meeting
- March 26, 2018 - Mini Grants application closes
- March 30, 2018 - CMSP LRP application closes
Please go to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Healthcare Workforce site for full details of each opportunity.