STATEN ISLAND, NY – New York City is launching a new student loan forgiveness program for behavioral health providers, thanks to an anonymous donation of $1 million.
Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals announced Sunday that the new debt relief program, called the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (BH4NYC) will help attract and retain doctors, nurse practitioners and other clinicians who care for New Yorkers with mental health or substance needs. use disorders.
“Behavioral health professionals in our public health system work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” Adams said. “Too often, these healthcare workers graduate with crushing debt and have no choice but to work in the private sector to pay their bills. Especially at a time when the country faces a shortage of these life-saving practitioners, and simultaneously faces an increased need for these professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this loan cancellation program will help us attract and retain top talent to continue serving New Yorkers. Through the city.”
NYC Health + Hospitals will offer licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists and clinical social workers between $30,000 and $50,000 in debt relief in exchange for a three-year commitment to serving the healthcare system public.
It will be available to eligible employees and new hires for next year or until the $1 million donation has been distributed.
Applications open Monday at www.nychealthandhospitals.org/BH4NYC/.
Applications will be accepted in two rounds – from July 25 to November 1. January 25, 2022 and January 1 to May 1, 2023 – for current employees, and reviewed on the second and last Friday of each month for new applicants. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Eligible candidates must commit to working at least three years full-time at NYC Health + Hospitals. Physicians will be eligible for a maximum of $50,000 in loan forgiveness and non-physician clinicians will be eligible for a maximum of $30,000 in loan forgiveness.
The program ends when the city reaches $1 million in total loans forgiven and is limited to one year.
“As we continue to see a growing number of New Yorkers struggling with mental health and addictions issues, the essential services of our behavioral health team are needed more than ever,” said the President and CEO. NYC Health + Hospitals executive, Dr. Mitchell Katz. “This donation will allow us to recruit and retain extraordinary clinicians to help address the current mental health crisis. »
Here is who is eligible for the debt relief program:
- Graduate of a relevant degree program, including those outside the United States. (Programs accredited by the Commission of your discipline)
- Are licensed and/or certified by the board within five years of completing training. The board certification requirement may be waived in some cases.
- Be in good standing with the regulatory body for your clinical discipline.
- Commit to working full-time for NYC Health + Hospitals for at least three years.
- Are a doctor with a minimum of $50,000 in school loan debt.
- Are a non-physician clinician with school loan debt of at least $30,000.
- Do not participate in or receive loan forgiveness from any other source.
- Have never received a loan forgiveness or refund through NYC Health + Hospitals employment.
- Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien with an I-155 or I-551 card.
According to the city, the city’s public hospital network provides about half of all behavioral health services for children and adults in New York City.
As part of the nation’s largest municipal health care system, NYC Health + Hospitals public hospitals and neighborhood health centers provide a wide variety of excellent mental health services to support recovery from all kinds of illnesses. mental health, according to New York City. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals offers high-quality alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs as part of its behavioral and mental health services, with personalized and thoughtful treatment plans that are effective for each patient.
There are currently no public NYC Health + Hospitals in Staten Island. There is a health center at Stapleton, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Vanderbilt, located at 165 Vanderbilt Ave., and a long-term care facility at NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View, located at 460 Brielle Ave.
New Yorkers who need mental health or addictions help can call 844-NYC-4NYC to book an appointment at NYC Health + Hospitals or contact NYC Well online.
FOLLOW Annalize KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.