SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today California took another step in its commitment to protect an individual’s right to reproductive health care by issuing funds to increase the number of providers offering vital reproductive health services. This funding is part of last year’s historic investment in increasing access to sexual and reproductive health care in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade.
“With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the State of California is working harder than ever to make sure the residents of the Golden State and beyond have access to the reproductive care they need,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Increasing the number of qualified providers is paramount to expanding access to care, and continuing our state’s nation-leading work to protect people’s constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Through the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), the State of California is accepting applications for $20 million in grants under the Clinical Infrastructure Fund to increase the amount and types of health care providers offering reproductive health care.
“Increasing access to reproductive health care in California has always been important, but in today’s environment, it is imperative,” said HCAI Director Elizabeth Landsberg. “We can’t provide access to abortions without sufficiently trained reproductive health practitioners and we are pleased to be able to support training of this critical health workforce.”
Currently, HCAI’s Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship and Allied Healthcare Scholarship programs are accepting applications until February 24, 2023. Eligible professions under the Advance Practice program include nurse practitioner, physician assistant and certified nurse midwife. The maximum award amount under this program is $25,000.
Under the Allied Health program, eligible professions include licensed midwife, doula, community health worker/promotores and medical assistant. The maximum award amount for this program is $15,000.
Other programs will begin accepting applications for Clinical Infrastructure funds throughout 2023.
As a condition for receiving Clinical Infrastructure scholarship funds, applicants will be required to commit to working in reproductive health and providing abortion and/or abortion-related services in an underserved community for a 12-month service obligation. “Abortion-related services” includes induced abortions performed by a trained provider, under sanitary conditions, and using modern techniques, or the use of high-quality medications with an effective regimen for medical abortion.
Abortion-related services also include miscarriage management, counseling and/or mental health services related to abortions, contraceptive services, links to other sexual and reproductive health services, and connections to the community, as defined under post-abortion care.
“As an OBGYN, I know just how critically important reproductive health care is,” said California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos. “Reproductive health care is essential and California is leading the way to ensure it is available to all those who need it.”
For more information on the release of future application periods for Clinical Infrastructure funds, see the table below, or visit HCAI’s website.
Programs Eligible for the Clinical Infrastructure Fund
Program Name: Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Certified Nurse Midwife
Application Open: January 3, 2023
Application Close*: February 24, 2023
Awards Funded*: May 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $25,000
Program Name: Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Licensed Midwife, Doula, Community Health Worker/promotores, Medical Assistant
Application Open: January 3, 2023
Application Close*: February 24, 2023
Awards Funded*: May 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $15,000
Program Name: Behavioral Health Scholarship Program (Website link to be announced)
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Associate Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Application Open*: May 2023
Application Close*: To be determined (TBD)
Awards Funded*: TBD
Maximum Award Amount: TBD
Program Name: Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Registered Nurse
Application Open*: May 1, 2023
Application Close*: July 31, 2023
Awards Funded*: October 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $15,000
Program Name: Licensed Vocational Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Licensed Vocational Nurse
Application Open*: May 1, 2023
Application Close*: July 31, 2023
Awards Funded*: October 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $8,000
Program Name: Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Loan Repayment Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Associate Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Application Open*: May 1, 2023
Application Close*: July 31, 2023
Awards Funded*: October 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $30,000
Program Name: Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program
Eligible Professions or Education Programs: Physician
Application Open*: May 1, 2023
Application Close*: July 31, 2023
Awards Funded*: October 2023
Maximum Award Amount: $105,000
* Estimated dates, subject to change