HCAI tells board about loan-repayment awards and scholarship programs; urges outreach to psychologists

Michelle Crouch and Nadia Leslie from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) briefed the board on Feb. 13 about programs that use licensure-fee revenues to support mental health workforce expansion. The Licensed Mental Health (LMH) program provides awards tied to a 12-month service obligation at eligible facilities; maximum award amounts and site eligibility were reviewed.

Key details: HCAI said approximately $97,646 had been deposited into the mental health practitioner education fund from Board of Psychology licensure fees as of Dec. 2025. HCAI reported recent cycles together served both the Board of Psychology and the Board of Behavioral Sciences; across boards the last cycle received 977 applications and made 46 awards (totaling about $690,918 in spend across both boards). For psychology applicants specifically, HCAI reported receiving 49 applications and awarding 17 in the most recent cycle. HCAI said spending authority is currently about $693,000 for both boards, and it is seeking an increase in spending authority for the next cycle.

Board questions focused on eligibility, service-obligation adjustments (medical leave allowances), feedback for applicants who were denied, and outreach to increase psychologist applicants. HCAI said applicants can be absent up to 30 days before making up service time and that denied applicants receive notification letters and may contact HCAI staff for feedback. HCAI encouraged the board to help publicize application windows; scholarship and Medi-Cal behavioral health student loan repayment programs were also noted as upcoming opportunities.

Ending: Board members urged better outreach to psychologists and stakeholder groups; HCAI agreed to provide contact info and to follow up on specific outreach channels.