EOHHS Workforce Initiatives

EOHHS is committed to supporting and growing a robust and resilient health and human services workforce. Current secretariat-level initiatives are focused on leveraging resources, research, and policy recommendations to support four critical roles: nursing, behavioral health, direct care and primary care. These are just some of the workforce initiatives spread out across EOHHS's 11 agencies and MassHealth.

Table of Contents

Primary Care

FNP Residency Grant Program for Community Health Centers

This grant program aims to expand the pipeline of Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) who enter and remain in community-based settings to serve the Commonwealth’s underserved populations with a special focus on MassHealth members. This funding opportunity supports Community Health Centers (CHCs) in developing, sustaining, or expanding a 12-month FNP residency program.

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Learn more: View the flyer with essential grant information: PDF | Word

Student Loan Repayment

MA Repay

The MA Repay Program is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens of educational debt for health and human services workers committed to serving Massachusetts communities. The MA Repay Program is administered by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers on behalf of EOHHS. 

Behavioral Health

Licensure fee waivers 

The Department of Public Health is waiving initial or renewal licensure and certification fees for certain behavioral health roles through June 2026 or until funding is exhausted. New and renewing applicants should contact the relevant Board of Registration or Board of Certification. 

Behavioral Health Workforce Center 

Housed at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), the goal of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center is to strengthen the Commonwealth’s ability to identify and respond to current and future behavioral health workforce needs through research, public engagement, and the development of policy, funding and regulatory recommendations. 

Support for Behavioral Health Field Placements Program

Individuals enrolled part-time or full-time in certain behavioral health undergraduate or graduate programs at eligible public or private Institutions of Higher Education in Massachusetts may be eligible for funds to support the completion of unpaid field placements, internships, apprenticeships and practicums necessary for completing educational requirements. 

Behavioral Health Workforce Scholarship Program 

Individuals enrolled part-time or full-time in certain behavioral health graduate programs at eligible public or private Institutions of Higher Education in Massachusetts may apply in Spring 2025 for scholarship funds to support credential attainment. Scholarship recipients make a commitment to working in the Massachusetts behavioral health field upon graduation.

Behavioral Health Supervising Clinicians Incentive Program

The Behavioral Health Supervising Clinicians Incentive Program (SCIP) is a two-year program designed to incentivize community-based organizations to provide clinical supervision to individuals in Massachusetts pursuing specific licensures and/or certifications in the behavioral health field, including mental health and substance use treatment. 

Nursing

Nursing Council of Workforce Sustainability

The Nursing Council for Workforce Sustainability (NCWS) is comprised of representatives from nursing schools, government, nursing associations, and healthcare organizations. The NCWS focuses on providing innovative solutions to workforce challenges and strives to build a resilient and sustainable nursing workforce focused on improving the health and well-being of the Commonwealth. 

Direct Care

HCBS and Human Services Workforce Grant

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Human Services Workforce Grant provided over $46M in federal ARPA funding for training, recruiting, or retaining the HCBS and human services workforce including direct care staff, nurses, behavioral health staff, community health workers, and long-term service and support staff. 84 organizations received two-year grants in 2023. 

Respite Innovations Grant

The Respite Innovations Grant Program began in 2023 and was a two-year, $20M program designed to enhance, improve, expand, and/or reorganize how Respite services are provided. Grantees implemented new models and strategies for providing person-centered Respite to give caregivers a break from the demands of caring for individuals with complex needs. 

Direct Care Worker Career Pathway Initiative 

EOHHS is charting a new career pathway for direct care workers aimed at supporting and furthering careers within this critical workforce. 

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