Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.1 Million to Eight Community Health Centers through Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Grant Program

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing $2.1 million in grant awards to implement, sustain or expand Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) residency programs at eight Community Health Centers (CHCs) across the state.  The FNP residency grant program aims to support community-based workforce recruitment and retention and increase availability of primary care professionals serving Massachusetts residents. 

This investment is part of Governor Healey’s commitment to shifting more resources to primary care and supporting workforce development of primary care providers. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has identified primary care as a priority so that Massachusetts residents can get appointments when they need them. 

The following CHCs will each receive funding for two FNP residency slots: Brockton Neighborhood Health in Brockton, Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester, DOTHouse Health in Dorchester, NeighborHealth in East Boston, Edward Kennedy CHC in Worcester, HealthFirst Family Care Center in Fall River, Holyoke Health Center in Holyoke, and Upham's Corner CHC in Dorchester.  

“This investment in primary care at Community Health Centers comes at a critical time,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Community Health Centers are facing serious challenges because of actions of President Trump and Congressional Republicans, but Massachusetts remains committed to supporting their important work across the state and strengthening our primary care workforce.”  

“By investing in our primary care and Community Health Centers, we are investing in the health and wellbeing of communities across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The more we can ensure that people have access to services through programs created by funding like this grant, our communities will be better off.”

“From my many years of work at Community Health Centers, I know first-hand how crucial CHCs are as a means of access to health care in our state, and how important primary care is for maintaining health,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Having more primary care professionals at CHCs across our state means better access to care for our residents, less strain on emergency rooms and healthier lives for people in Massachusetts.” 

“Increasing the availability of primary care professionals is an ongoing goal for MassHealth,” said Undersecretary for MassHealth Mike Levine. “This funding allows Community Health Centers to train primary care providers who are committed and well-prepared to care for patients in community settings. It is crucial in supporting workforce development, while addressing the challenges of primary care recruitment and retention.”  

The FNP residency grant program is part of the Workforce Initiatives portfolio authorized and funded under the Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver.   

Statement of Support:  

Michael A. Curry, Esq., President & Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers 

“Developing Family Nurse Practitioner residency programs within community health centers is an investment in the future of equitable, community-based care. By building a strong and sustainable pipeline of Family Nurse Practitioners, we are expanding access to primary care, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening the foundation of care for underserved communities across the Commonwealth, and providing another training ground for diverse providers. This work reflects our enduring commitment to a simple truth: every person deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care.” 

Senator Robyn Kennedy, Senate Chair for the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities  

“This investment highlights the importance of the MassHealth 1115 Demonstration Waiver as a tool for strengthening our healthcare delivery system. By leveraging the waiver to support innovative Family Nurse Practitioner residency programs, Massachusetts is expanding the primary care workforce and ensuring community health centers can continue to meet the needs of patients across the Commonwealth.” 

Senator Jake Oliveira, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development 

"Strengthening primary care starts with building and retaining a workforce that reflects and serves our communities. This $2.1 million investment in Family Nurse Practitioner residency programs strengthens the pipeline of skilled, community-based providers, supports recruitment and retention at our Community Health Centers, and helps ensure residents can access care when and where they need it. It is a smart, workforce-focused approach that improves health outcomes while supporting good, mission-driven jobs across the Commonwealth." 

Senator Cindy Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing 

“Any investment in our Community Health Centers is an investment in the lives of the residents of our Commonwealth. Expanding the pipeline of Family Nurse Practitioners is not just a smart policy, it’s also a statement of what and who we value: our primary care providers and their ability to improve the health and well-being of our communities. I applaud MassHealth and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this critical funding, which has a real impact on these organizations and their ability to serve their patients.” 

Senator Bill Driscoll Jr., Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health 

“Congratulations to all community health centers receiving this funding – a substantial investment in family nursing across the Commonwealth. Primary care is a fundamental component of both our individual and public health. This intentional effort to support FNP residency programs will greatly benefit the workforce, ultimately improving the quality of needs-based care.” 

Representative Marjorie Decker, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health 

"Public health is fundamentally about prevention, and primary care is one of the most important tools we have to keep people healthy. Ensuring access to primary care helps prevent illness before it starts, saves lives, and reduces health care costs for families and our Commonwealth.” 

Senator Becca Rausch, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government  

Family Nurse Practitioners play an essential role in delivering quality patient care, overcoming barriers to accessible primary care, and supporting public health. With these grants, community health centers can train and retain a vital workforce, enhancing the potential of CHCs like the Kennedy Community Health Centers in Milford and Worcester to help people live their healthiest lives. My thanks to the Healey-Driscoll administration, EOHHS, and MassHealth for these grants and securing matching federal funds.    

Senator Nick Collins, D-First Suffolk 

Community Health Centers are the backbone of health care in our district and have been providing access to quality care for the underserved since their founding,” said Senator Nick Collins. “Making sure these centers have the resources they need to be properly staffed and supported is one of our top priorities. I’m grateful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll, the Healey Administration, for making these investments, as they reflect our shared values of delivering resources to these critical organizations who help our communities thrive. 

Representative Jim O’Day, D-West Boylston 

"The care our community health centers provide to our residents is important. Currently they face unique challenges due to federal funding uncertainty and so I am happy these eight CHC's in Massachusetts, including the Edward Kennedy Center in Worcester, will be receiving state funding for their Family Nurse Practitioner residency programs." 

Senator Lydia Edwards, D-Third Suffolk  

“This funding is a major win for East Boston and for the families who depend on NeighborHealth as their primary source of care. Community Health Centers are the backbone of primary care in our neighborhoods, and investing in Family Nurse Practitioner residencies means more providers, better access to care, and a stronger, more stable workforce rooted in the community. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassHealth and EOHHS for recognizing the vital role NeighborHealth plays and for making a meaningful investment in the health and wellbeing of our residents.” 

Representative Adrian Madaro, D-First Suffolk 

"Accessible primary care is the foundation of good health outcomes, services that Community Health Centers excel in providing to the communities that need it most. Here in East Boston, NeighborHealth is an essential primary care provider for our neighbors and surrounding communities. This funding for Family Nurse Practitioner residencies will bolster NeighborHealth's ability to provide competent family-centered primary care to populations that will most benefit from it. Thank you to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and the Administration for making this funding possible.” 

Representative Christopher Worrell, D-5th Suffolk 

“For Black and Brown communities, access to primary care has too often been delayed, denied, or delivered only in moments of crisis. This $2.1 million investment is about changing that reality. Community Health Centers like Codman Square, DOTHouse, and Upham’s Corner are lifelines in Dorchester — trusted places where families receive care with dignity, cultural understanding, and respect. By investing in Family Nurse Practitioner residencies, we are building a workforce that looks like the communities it serves and is committed to staying in them. This is how we close health gaps, reduce pressure on emergency rooms, and deliver real health equity — not in words, but in action.” 

Senator Adam Gómez, D-Hampden 

"The release of this funding to community health centers across the state could not have come at a more important time, as many families grapple with rising healthcare costs and are looking locally as they plan for the future. Centering family care in community-based settings requires a great deal of funding to recruit and retain talent in certain areas, and I am glad to see the administration using a regional approach to administer these funds and shoring up our healthcare infrastructure in return." 

Representative John Moran, D-9th Suffolk 

“Community Health Centers are essential to ensuring local access to affordable, equitable care. Investing in primary care at centers like NeighborHealth in the 9th Suffolk District strengthens our health care system and helps address its ongoing challenges.” 

Representative Patricia Duffy, D-5th Hampden 

"This is funding going exactly where it needs to go in order to protect to our most vulnerable residents.  The Holyoke Health Center is crucial resource providing both excellent healthcare and excellent jobs and careers.  I'm grateful that MassHealth prioritized funding these positions." 

Representative Rita Mendes, D-11th Plymouth 

This funding is essential for Gateway Cities like Brockton where there is a waitlist for primary care professionals. 

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