Mental Health Mental Health Loan Assumption ProgramLoan Assumption Program

(MHLAP)(MHLAP)

Foundation BackgroundFoundation BackgroundThe Health Professions Education Foundation (Foundation) is a 501 The Health Professions Education Foundation (Foundation) is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit public benefit corporation that was created by the (C) (3) non-profit public benefit corporation that was created by the Legislature in 1987.Legislature in 1987.

Since 1990, the Foundation has awarded over $25 millionSince 1990, the Foundation has awarded over $25 million These awards have helped over 2,700 students and graduates These awards have helped over 2,700 students and graduates

practicing in medically underserved areaspracticing in medically underserved areas

The Foundation improves The Foundation improves healthcare in underserved areas healthcare in underserved areas of California by providing of California by providing scholarships, loan repayments, scholarships, loan repayments, and programs to health and programs to health professional students who are professional students who are dedicated to providing direct dedicated to providing direct patient care.patient care.

Current Foundation ProgramsCurrent Foundation Programs Allied Healthcare Scholarship ProgramAllied Healthcare Scholarship Program Vocational Nurse Scholarship Program Vocational Nurse Scholarship Program Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment ProgramLicensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program Licensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree NursingLicensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree Nursing Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship ProgramAssociate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing Scholarship Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing Scholarship Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing Loan Repayment ProgramBachelor of Science in Nursing Loan Repayment Program Licensed Mental Health Service Provider Education ProgramLicensed Mental Health Service Provider Education Program Mental Health Loan Assumption ProgramMental Health Loan Assumption Program Health Professions Education Scholarship ProgramHealth Professions Education Scholarship Program Health Professions Education Loan Repayment ProgramHealth Professions Education Loan Repayment Program Steven M. Thompson Physician Corp Loan Repayment ProgramSteven M. Thompson Physician Corp Loan Repayment Program

Financial Resources for Health Financial Resources for Health ProfessionalsProfessionals

www.healthprofessions.ca.gov

www.healthworkforceinfo.org

www.oshpd.ca.gov/HWDD/SLRP.html

www.explorehealthcareers.org

http://cmhda.org

Mental Health Loan Mental Health Loan Assumption Program (MHLAP)Assumption Program (MHLAP)

MHLAP is supported by funds from the Mental Health Services Act, under the Workforce, Education and Training component.

$2.6 million dollars for this fiscal year. Serves individuals currently working in the Public Mental Health

System, in a “hard to fill” or “hard to retain position”

MHLAP Summary StatisticsMHLAP Summary Statistics

The Foundation acknowledges that there The Foundation acknowledges that there is a high need in the mental health field is a high need in the mental health field for additional funding to support loan for additional funding to support loan repayment.repayment.

Applications received: 1,222Applications received: 1,222 Applicants awarded: 283Applicants awarded: 283 Dollars awarded: $2,246,874.31Dollars awarded: $2,246,874.31 Average Award: $7,939.49 per Average Award: $7,939.49 per

personperson

Eligibility Criteria for MHLAPEligibility Criteria for MHLAP

Eligible Applicants:

Licensed Psychologist Registered PsychologistPostdoctoral Psychological TraineePostdoctoral Psychological AssistantLicensed Clinical Social WorkerAssociate Clinical Social WorkerLicensed Marriage and Family TherapistMarriage and Family Therapist InternLicensed Psychiatrist Registered PsychiatristLicensed/ Certified Psychiatric Mental

Health Nurse PractitionerRegistered Psychiatric Mental Health

Nurse Practitioner

Eligibility Criteria for MHLAPEligibility Criteria for MHLAP

MHSA funding is for mental health professionals working in the MHSA funding is for mental health professionals working in the “Public Mental Health System.”“Public Mental Health System.”

Publicly-funded facilities administered in whole or in part by Publicly-funded facilities administered in whole or in part by the Department of Mental Health or by the County. the Department of Mental Health or by the County.

Does not include programs and/or services administered by Does not include programs and/or services administered by federal, state, county or private correctional entities or federal, state, county or private correctional entities or programs and/ or services provided in correctional facilities.programs and/ or services provided in correctional facilities.

Does include programs and/or services in juvenile hall Does include programs and/or services in juvenile hall facilities.facilities.

Eligibility- Practice LocationEligibility- Practice Location

Participants may receive up to $10,000 in exchange for 12 Participants may receive up to $10,000 in exchange for 12

consecutive months of employment in a designated hard to consecutive months of employment in a designated hard to fill or fill or

retain position in the Public Mental Health System.retain position in the Public Mental Health System.

Any award recipient who Any award recipient who changes County of Employmentchanges County of Employment or or who who

does not complydoes not comply with his/her loan assumption contract with his/her loan assumption contract during their during their

service obligation shall be removed or suspended from the service obligation shall be removed or suspended from the program.program.

Scoring and CriteriaScoring and CriteriaApplicants will be scored based on:Applicants will be scored based on:

Work ExperienceWork Experience

Cultural and Linguistic CompetenceCultural and Linguistic Competence

Career GoalsCareer Goals

Community ServiceCommunity Service

Community BackgroundCommunity Background

FluencyFluency

Eligibility- Service ObligationEligibility- Service Obligation

The service obligation begins upon signing a contract with the Foundation; previous years of work experience cannot be applied retroactively.

Applicants who currently owe an existing service obligation areineligible to apply for this program until the current obligation is completed.

DeadlineDeadlineApplications are currently being accepted. Applications are currently being accepted. It is strongly encouraged It is strongly encouraged

that you submit all application materials at least three weeks prior that you submit all application materials at least three weeks prior to the final filing date. to the final filing date.

December 10, 2010 (to County Mental Health Director):December 10, 2010 (to County Mental Health Director): County Employment or Volunteer Verification FormCounty Employment or Volunteer Verification Form

January 24, 2010 (to Foundation):January 24, 2010 (to Foundation): ApplicationApplication Educational Debt Reporting FormEducational Debt Reporting Form Lender StatementsLender Statements Personal StatementPersonal Statement Two Letters of RecommendationTwo Letters of Recommendation Proof of Licensure, Registration or WaiverProof of Licensure, Registration or Waiver

The Role of Counties in MHLAPThe Role of Counties in MHLAP

Each County receives a specific allocation of the $2.6 million Fund, Each County receives a specific allocation of the $2.6 million Fund, as determined by the State Department of Mental Health, to as determined by the State Department of Mental Health, to guarantee at least one award per County. guarantee at least one award per County.

Counties play an integral role in the selection process:Counties play an integral role in the selection process:

County Mental Health Directors verify employment in a hard to County Mental Health Directors verify employment in a hard to fill or retain position within the Public Mental Health Systemfill or retain position within the Public Mental Health System

Both Small and Large County representatives participate on the Both Small and Large County representatives participate on the MHLAP Advisory CommitteeMHLAP Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee and Selection Advisory Committee and Selection ProcessProcess

Dec. 10: Postmark deadline for applicant to mail Employment

Verification Form

Jan 24: Postmark deadline for applicant and County Mental

Health Director to mail Application materials to

Foundation.

Jan- April: Applications are reviewed by the Foundation, the

Advisory Committee, DMH and Board of Trustees.

May -June: Applicants are notified of award status

Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee

CompositionComposition

County representativesCounty representatives

DMH representativesDMH representatives

““At large” representatives from Licensing Boards, professional At large” representatives from Licensing Boards, professional associations or otherassociations or other

Foundation StaffFoundation Staff

Application WorkshopApplication Workshop

Topics to Cover:Topics to Cover: What do I need to know about the Instructions?What do I need to know about the Instructions? How do I fill out the Application?How do I fill out the Application? What are Lender Statements?What are Lender Statements? County Employment Verification FormCounty Employment Verification Form How do I write a Personal Statement?How do I write a Personal Statement? What should Letters of Recommendation What should Letters of Recommendation

include?include? What does proof of licensure, registration or What does proof of licensure, registration or

waiver mean?waiver mean? When and where do I submit the materials?When and where do I submit the materials?

Application InstructionsApplication Instructions

First two pages of packetFirst two pages of packet

Contains background, Contains background, definitions, definitions,

scoring criteria and guidelinesscoring criteria and guidelines

Explains what to submit and Explains what to submit and whatwhat

information we are looking for ininformation we are looking for in

each of the seven required each of the seven required

submission itemssubmission items

ApplicationApplicationPage 1 contains Part A:Page 1 contains Part A:

Personal InformationPersonal Information

Page 2 contains Parts B-F:Page 2 contains Parts B-F: Work ExperienceWork Experience Community BackgroundCommunity Background Personal Statement QuestionsPersonal Statement Questions QuestionnaireQuestionnaire Application CertificationApplication Certification

Additional Note on Page 2:Additional Note on Page 2: Utilize Submission Checklists to Ensure that all portions Utilize Submission Checklists to Ensure that all portions

of application are completeof application are complete

Educational Debt Reporting Educational Debt Reporting FormForm

If awarded, the Foundation will use this form to make If awarded, the Foundation will use this form to make payments to your lender(s)payments to your lender(s)

Fill in all spaces on the formFill in all spaces on the form

Please verify the Payment Address. This is where the Please verify the Payment Address. This is where the Foundation will mail your loan assumption check.Foundation will mail your loan assumption check.

If your lender requires that you include any special If your lender requires that you include any special information (i.e. Social Security Number, Account Number, information (i.e. Social Security Number, Account Number, Name, etc.) in order to process payments, please indicate Name, etc.) in order to process payments, please indicate on the Form.on the Form.

Lender StatementsLender Statements

Part 1: You fill out, and your

direct supervisor

signs to verify the

information

Part 2: County Mental Health

Director checks appropriate

boxes, signs and mails to

Foundation

You mail form to County

Mental Health Director

How do I write a Personal How do I write a Personal Statement?Statement?

Question and Answer formatQuestion and Answer format

Provide as much detail as possible, within two pages. Only Provide as much detail as possible, within two pages. Only the first the first

two pages will be read and scoredtwo pages will be read and scored

Mention specific examples as they relate to the questionMention specific examples as they relate to the question

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation Formatting requirements: Formatting requirements:

Dated and signedDated and signed Written on the author’s letterhead OR it includes the Written on the author’s letterhead OR it includes the

author’s name, title, address, phone number, and author’s name, title, address, phone number, and relationship to applicantrelationship to applicant

Content may include, but is not limited to:Content may include, but is not limited to: Mental health work experience, cultural and linguistic Mental health work experience, cultural and linguistic

competency as it relates to your work, community service, competency as it relates to your work, community service, work habits, commitment to the mental health field, and work habits, commitment to the mental health field, and so on.so on.

Who should write the letters?Who should write the letters? Past or current employers, supervisor of volunteer Past or current employers, supervisor of volunteer

activities, educational instructoractivities, educational instructor

What does proof of licensure, What does proof of licensure, registration or waiver mean?registration or waiver mean?

Licensed Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Licensed Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, and Mental Health Nurse Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, and Mental Health Nurse PractitionersPractitioners

Provide a copy of your licenseProvide a copy of your license

Registered Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Mental Health Registered Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapy Interns, Nurse Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapy Interns, and Associate Clinical Social Workersand Associate Clinical Social Workers

Provide a copy of your Board registrationProvide a copy of your Board registration

Postdoctoral Assistants and Trainees or individuals who are Postdoctoral Assistants and Trainees or individuals who are not required to register through their Boardnot required to register through their Board

Provide a copy of the letter, stating that you Provide a copy of the letter, stating that you have have received a waiverreceived a waiver

When and where do I submit the When and where do I submit the materials?materials?

By December 10, 2009By December 10, 2009 Complete Part 1 of the County Employment or Volunteer Complete Part 1 of the County Employment or Volunteer

Verification Form and postmark to your County’s Mental Verification Form and postmark to your County’s Mental Health DirectorHealth Director

By January 24, 2010By January 24, 2010 Postmark the following items to the Foundation: Postmark the following items to the Foundation:

Completed Application, Educational Debt Reporting Completed Application, Educational Debt Reporting Form, Lender Statements, Personal Statement, Two Form, Lender Statements, Personal Statement, Two Letters of Recommendation, and Proof of Licensure, Letters of Recommendation, and Proof of Licensure, registration or Waiverregistration or Waiver

Reasons for Ineligible Applications Reasons for Ineligible Applications (Mar. 2009)(Mar. 2009)

IneligibleIneligible Application materials postmarked after March 24, 2009 Application materials postmarked after March 24, 2009

(12)(12) Applicant owes an existing service obligation (10)Applicant owes an existing service obligation (10) Health profession does not qualify (1)Health profession does not qualify (1) Loans do not qualify (1)Loans do not qualify (1) Outdated application used (4)Outdated application used (4) Applicant not employed in a hard to fill or retain position Applicant not employed in a hard to fill or retain position

or the Public Mental Health System (366)or the Public Mental Health System (366)

Reasons for Incomplete Reasons for Incomplete Applications (Mar. 2009)Applications (Mar. 2009)

IncompleteIncomplete Application missing required documentation or information Application missing required documentation or information

(67)(67) Application not signed (3)Application not signed (3) Educational Debt Reporting Form insufficient (11)Educational Debt Reporting Form insufficient (11) Lender statements missing required information (15)Lender statements missing required information (15) Letters of recommendation insufficient (47)Letters of recommendation insufficient (47) Personal statement insufficient (14) Personal statement insufficient (14) Proof of licensure or registration insufficient (8)Proof of licensure or registration insufficient (8)

Contact InformationContact Information

Judy MelsonJudy Melson

Program OfficerProgram Officer

JMelson@oshpd.state.ca.usJMelson@oshpd.state.ca.us

(800) 773-1669 or (916) 326-3648(800) 773-1669 or (916) 326-3648

www.healthprofessions.ca.govwww.healthprofessions.ca.gov