Behavioral Health – BH-CONNECT

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program

HCAI is offering this Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBH-SLRP) as part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Workforce Initiative. The program is committed to expanding access to critical mental health and substance use disorder services across California.

The goal for the MBH-SLRP is to reduce educational debt for behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal members and underserved communities. Eligible behavioral health practitioners can receive up to $240,000 in loan repayment with commitment to a multi-year service obligation.

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Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program Cycle 2 Launch Webinar

HCAI will host two webinar sessions for the upcoming launch of Cycle 2 of the Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBH‑SLRP). These sessions are designed for behavioral health professionals interested in lowering their educational debt while serving Medi‑Cal safety‑net communities. Register for a session.

April 28, 2026
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
May 7, 2026
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

These sessions will provide an overview of the program, application guidance, and key updates for new and returning applicants. A recording will be posted online with 10 business days following the event.

2026 Application Cycle 2: Closed

The 2026 application cycle 2 opens on May 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted by 3:00 p.m., May 29, 2026. Review the 2026 Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBH-SLRP) Grant Guide for program guidance and requirements.

Maximum Award Amounts

This program provides loan repayment for behavioral health professionals with educational debt:

  • Licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners are eligible for up to $240,000 in loan repayment
  • Non-prescribing licensed or associate level pre-licensure practitioners are eligible for up to $180,000
  • Non-licensed, non-prescribing practitioners, including Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselors, community health workers, peer support specialists and wellness coaches are eligible for up to $120,000

Service Obligation Duration

  • Licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners and non-prescribing licensed or associate level pre-licensure practitioners will serve a 4-year service obligation, regardless of loan repayment amount
  • Non-licensed, non-prescribing practitioners* will complete a service obligation period based on the loan repayment amount:
    • $20,000 or greater: four years
    • $10,000 to $20,000: three years
    • Less than $10,000: two years

*Alcohol or Other Drug Counselors, Community Health Workers, Peer Support Specialists, Wellness Coaches, and other non-prescribing practitioners meeting the provider qualifications for Community Health Worker services, Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services, and Expanded Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services in the California Medicaid State Plan

Eligible Practice Sites

Grantees must complete their service obligation in one or more of these Medi-Cal safety net settings:

  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
  • Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) as defined and certified by the California Department of Public Health
  • 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 May 1, 2026, at 3:00p.m.
Close May 29, 2026, at 3:00p.m.

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Resources

Contact Us

Email: MBHSLRP@hcai.ca.gov

Phone: 916-326-3899 
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

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