Under the new Home and Community-Based Services Provider Loan Redemption Program, eligible workers can receive up to $50,000 in loan relief in exchange for one year of service at an approved home- and community-based services 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. These care workers help our families heal from adversity and trauma, strengthen family bonds, and achieve their utmost potential – to be safe, healthy, and connected.”
“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. By incentivizing eligible experts to serve in home- and community-based settings, our state will ensure more residents can receive the mental health and social supports that they need.”
Professionals eligible to apply include psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA), BCBA-doctoral level professionals, licensed clinical or certified alcohol/drug counselors (LCADC/CADC), licensed professional/associate counselors (LPC/LAC), licensed/associate marriage/family therapists (LMFT/LAMFT), DCF care managers (DCFCM), registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), among others.
Program funding comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as part of a $100 million FY24 strategic investment by DHS in home- and community-based services. This includes significant investments in workforce development through recruitment initiatives such as training programs for direct care staff along with establishing new community-based housing options for individuals with disabilities or behavioral health conditions.
“We are proud to offer this new benefit to dedicated workers who support individuals with disabilities and older adults in the community,” DHS Deputy Commissioner for Aging & Disability Services Kaylee McGuire said. “Creative steps such as a loan redemption program will help attract and retain workers while building a stronger foundation for future caregiving needs.”
To qualify for this student loan redemption program applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria detailed by DHS. This initiative builds upon efforts by the Murphy Administration aimed at strengthening this critical workforce sector including wage increases aligned with minimum wage adjustments up towards $15 per hour over recent years along with launching promotional campaigns such as Jobs That Care NJ highlighting direct care training/job opportunities.
Provider agencies are encouraged share information about this initiative amongst all eligible employees prior July 1 when applications open for submission within a 30-day window period concluding end-August; successful candidates being selected first-come-first-served basis starting October 1st.
