Behavioral Health – BH-CONNECT

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program

HCAI is offering the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program (MBH-RTP) as part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Workforce Initiative. The goal of the MBH-RTP is to increase the availability of General Psychiatrists, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Addiction Psychiatrists and Addiction Medicine Physicians that are trained and serve in Medi-Cal safety net settings.

5 healthcare professionals, some with arms crossed and at their sides, smiling and looking forward

Grant Funding

The state will provide up to $250,000 to residency and fellowship programs per new training position annually. The funds cannot exceed costs of operating the slots (excluding faculty salaries and new capital infrastructure). The following programs are eligible through this initiative:

Psychiatry Residency Programs
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Programs
Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Programs
Addiction Medicine Fellowship Programs

Medi-Cal Safety Net Setting Requirements

Programs will train new residents and fellows in one or more of these Medi-Cal 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

Service Obligation Requirements

The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program requires participating residents and fellows to take part in a specific cycle (launch date TBD) of the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (MBH-LRP) with a four-year service obligation requirement after graduation. HCAI will provide further guidance on this process as this page is updated and resources are made available.

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