HCAI introduces BH Connect to enhance behavioral health workforce training and retention

On February 26, 2025, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) convened a meeting to discuss the funding landscape for the Peer Personnel Training and Placement Grant Program in California. The meeting highlighted the evolving financial support for peer programs over the past decade and introduced new funding opportunities aimed at bolstering the behavioral health workforce.

The discussion began with a review of historical funding trends, revealing that while there have been fluctuations in available resources, recent years have seen an increase in financial support. The speaker noted that the organization had previously relied on a cap of $2 million but has recently benefited from additional funding sources, particularly from the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). However, it was emphasized that this funding is nearing depletion, signaling a potential challenge for sustaining peer programs moving forward.

A significant focus of the meeting was the introduction of the BH Connect Workforce Initiative, which aims to enhance the training, recruitment, and retention of behavioral health practitioners. HCAI plans to invest up to $1.9 billion in five workforce programs between 2025 and 2029. This initiative is particularly crucial as it mandates that recipients commit to serving Medi-Cal members with significant behavioral health needs for a period of two to four years.

The five programs impacted by the BH Connect initiative include medical behavioral health student loan repayment, scholarship programs, recruitment and retention efforts, community-based provider training, and residency training programs. The community-based provider training program is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of peer support services.

To qualify for funding under the BH Connect initiative, training sites must meet specific criteria, including being a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a community mental health center, or a rural clinic. Participants in the program will be required to serve in these settings for up to three years, ensuring that the training aligns with the needs of underserved populations.

HCAI also announced that funding from the BH Connect initiative will become available after July 1, 2025, with the first training program cycle anticipated to launch in early 2026. Each participant may receive up to $10,000, with funds directed to the training programs rather than individual practitioners.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical need for sustained funding and support for peer personnel training in California's behavioral health landscape. As the state prepares to implement the BH Connect initiative, stakeholders are encouraged to leverage available resources and prepare for the upcoming changes in funding structures. The ongoing development of the workforce is essential to meet the growing demands for mental health services across the state.