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 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.
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 for training related to the following professions::
- Alcohol or Other Drug Counselor
- Community Health Worker
- Peer Support Specialist
- Funds may be used for:
- Program tuition and required program fees for course curriculums necessary to achieve one of these professions
- 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
Application Dates
Open Q1 2026
Close Q1 2026
Resources
Full BH CONNECT Special Terms and Conditions (STCs) (HCAI portion on pages 21-30)
BH-CONNECT Council Slides (Feb 2025)
HCAI BH-CONNECT Webpage
DHCS BH-CONNECT Workforce Initiative Webpage
Learn more about BH-CONNECT
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