The Department of Human Services, Department of Children and Families, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority have announced a new student loan redemption program aimed at supporting health care, behavioral health, and social services professionals. This initiative is designed to enhance the home and community-based services workforce in New Jersey.
The Home and Community-Based Services Provider Loan Redemption Program offers eligible workers up to $50,000 in loan relief for one year of service at an approved provider agency or as a self-directed employee.
“Uplifting our healthcare workers is mission-critical to delivering on the needs of New Jersey residents. This student loan redemption program further bolsters our home and community-based services workforce, and it is key in supporting qualified service providers to bring their skills and expertise to communities across the state,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “In addition to alleviating the financial burdens of this workforce, this program also builds the capacity to deliver care in the community for more New Jerseyans. I applaud DHS Commissioner Sarah Adelman, DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, and HESAA Executive Director Margo Chaly for their work to make this program a reality.”
“We continue to invest in innovative approaches to strengthen and prioritize independence and person-centered care that will help individuals live in their own homes and remain active in their communities,” Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Sarah Adelman said. “This new student loan redemption program will benefit caregivers who provide vital supports to people with disabilities and with behavioral health needs, as well as older adults living in the community. Supporting our care workers must be a priority.”
“At the Department of Children and Families, we are committed to a robust network of in-community and in-home services so that families can stay together while they access the treatment or support solutions that best meet their needs,” Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said. “In partnership with DHS and HESAA, offering this loan redemption program is one part of a multi-level strategy to ensure that our contracted service providers can compete for the highly competent, well-trained workforce that New Jersey children, youth, and families deserve."
“Our team is pleased to work in partnership with DHS and DCF to help bolster social services and health care workforces in New Jersey,” Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) Executive Director Margo Chaly said. “As with all student loan redemption programs that HESAA administers, the goal of this new program is to encourage professionals to start and continue working in high-need fields."
Eligible professionals include psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists among others. Self-directed employees are also eligible.
Funding comes from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as part of a $100 million FY24 strategic investment by DHS into home- & community-based services including significant investments into workforce development.
Allocations include:
- $5 million for employees serving DHS’ Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services-contracted agencies.
- $5 million for employees serving DHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities-funded agencies.
- $5 million for employees at DCF-approved settings.
- $2 million for private duty nurses employed by NJ FamilyCare’s managed care organizations.
To qualify applicants must be employed full-time by a State-funded provider agency among other criteria listed above.
Applications open July 1st for 30 days with selections made on October 1st on first-come-first-served basis.
For more information visit here once applications open.
