HCAI launches Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program; $14 million available in first cycle

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) opened the Medi‑Cal Behavioral Health Residency Training Program grant on July 15 and held a webinar to explain eligibility, award amounts and how the award links to a special Medi‑Cal behavioral health student loan repayment cycle. HCAI said about $14,000,000 is available for cycle 1 and applicants must submit full applications by Aug. 15 at 3 p.m.

HCAI framed the program as part of its larger BH Connect workforce initiative, which the department said will invest up to $1.9 billion from 2025 to 2029 across five workforce programs to expand behavioral‑health services in Medi‑Cal safety‑net settings. "Behavioral health challenges affect people from all walks of life and the need for skilled, compassionate professionals in this field has never been more urgent," Dr. Sharmila Shaw, behavioral health and policy branch chief for health workforce development, said in opening remarks. She said the residency program aims "to increase the availability of the psychiatrists practicing in Medi Cal safety net settings that serve our communities, children and youth, and those with addiction challenges."

Officials described how the residency program and a special student loan repayment cycle (SLRP) will work together. Lindsay Bradshaw, project manager with HCAI, said programs awarded MBHRTP funds must commit to filling grant‑funded slots with trainees who have been prequalified for HCAI's special SLRP cycle. "They'll have a 4 year service obligation period where they need to, pre or be employed in a medical safety net…