State to Repay Nearly $10 Million in Student Loans to Mental-healthcare Workers
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is awarding almost $10 million in student-loan repayment to 221 DMH direct-care staff and clinicians across the state as part of the MA Repay program.
The MA Repay DMH student-loan-repayment initiative, implemented by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC), accepted applications last fall. Eligible applicants included clinical behavioral-health professionals and case managers in DMH state-operated programs. In exchange for four years of providing direct-care or case-management services in a designated DMH site, DMH providers were eligible for loan-repayment awards ranging from $12,500 to $300,000 based on provider type and full-time or part-time status.
“Massachusetts relies on our incredible behavioral-health workforce to provide essential care to our residents, but far too many workers are being held back by crushing levels of student debt,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “The MA Repay Program helps to lower the barriers that far too many behavioral-health providers face when trying to enter or stay in the field, and it supports the needs of our healthcare system and economy. We are thrilled to be able to offer life-changing loan repayment to our dedicated state employees who continue to provide care daily to community members with serious mental illness.”
The awardees represent the diversity of the DMH workforce from across Massachusetts. Staff receiving awards work in DMH settings in a range of direct-care and case-management positions, from mental-health workers to psychiatrists. Forty-nine percent of the awardees identify as people of color, and 46% speak a language other than English.
“I am grateful to the Massachusetts Legislature for authorizing this dedicated loan-repayment program which enables us to better retain and recognize the dedication of DMH staff who serve tirelessly on behalf of children, youth, and adults experiencing serious emotional disturbance and mental illness,” Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle said.