Behavioral Health – BH-CONNECT

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Community-Based Provider Training Program

The Behavioral Health Community-Based Provider Training Program (MBH-CBPTP) is designed to build up the workforce of Substance Use Disorder, Alcohol or Other Drug Counselors, Community Health Workers/Promotores/Representatives and Peer Support Specialists by funding training and education to create a healthcare workforce pipeline to address community-based workforce shortages throughout the state.

A diverse group of community members, both young and old, smiling for the camera.

Grant Funding

The Behavioral Health Community-Based Provider Training Program facilitates grants to organizations to support the development of community-based providers such as Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselors, Community Health Workers/Promotores/Representatives, and Peer Support Specialists.

Training programs may receive up to $10,000 per individual. Funds may be used for:
- Program tuition and required program fees for course curriculums necessary to achieve the professional titles of Alcohol or Other Drug Counselor
- Community Health Worker or Peer Support Specialist
- Textbooks and supplies as required by the educational program curriculum
- Professional exam fees and certification or licensure costs
  - Payments must be made directly only to the training program on behalf of the practitioner. Funds will not be provided to individual participants.

Service Obligation Requirements

The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Community-Based Provider Training Program requires 3-year full-time service obligation in a Medi-Cal safety net setting for qualified individuals receiving this support.

Safety Net Setting Requirements

Programs will train new residents and fellows in one or more of these safety net settings:

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)
Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
Settings with the following payer mix:
- Hospitals with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
- Rural hospitals with 30% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
- Other behavioral health settings with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population