WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 3989

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program (PMHNP) FY25 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill funds and reports on the PMHNP Fellowship Program to grow CHC-based PMHNPs, improve diversity, and align the workforce with patient populations.

Placed on file
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 3989

Overview

SD 3989 (Session 194th, Massachusetts) is a FY25 legislative report regarding the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program (PMHNP Fellowship Program). The bill documents program activities, outcomes, diversity efforts, and expenditures related to MassHealth-funded fellowships at community health centers (CHCs). It references statutory language from Appendix I (Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021) that requires reporting on applicants, participants, retention, diversification, and expenditures.

Main purpose and intent

  • To provide a comprehensive, annual report on the PMHNP Fellowship Program, including participation, retention, diversity efforts, and expenditures.
  • To describe how the program is implemented across cohorts and how funding supports CHCs and fellows.
  • To demonstrate alignment with expanding the PMHNP workforce in CHCs and increasing diversity to reflect the patient populations served.

Key provisions and changes

  • Program funding and structure:

    • The PMHNP Fellowship Program is funded through item 1599-2026 with a total program commitment of $11.6 million (maximum) from the UMass Chan Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) ISA.
    • Funds are split between pass-through support to CHCs and direct programmatic/administrative costs:
    • Approximately $7,667,648 in pass-through funds to CHCs to support fellowships (Graduate and Student Fellows).
    • About $3,932,352 for didactics, training (UMass Chan GSN), and grant administration (including MLCHC).
    • Total funds paid to UMass Chan GSN through FY24: $3,062,408 (as of the report period).

  • Cohort-type implementation:

    • Cohort 1 (FY24): 3 CHCs funded, 10 fellow slots (7 graduates, 3 students). 27 applicants (12 graduates, 15 students). 7 fellows placed (4 graduates, 3 students). Total contracted funds: $840,477.
    • Cohort 2 (FY25): 14 CHCs funded, 29 fellow slots (23 graduates, 6 students). 56 applicants (30 graduates, 26 students). 24 fellows placed (19 graduates, 5 students). Total contracted funds: $3,936,687.
    • Cohort 3 (FY25): 7 CHCs funded, 9 fellow slots (8 graduates, 1 student). $1,779,482 in funds. 36 applicants (21 graduates, 15 students). Fellows placed TBD (applications under review).

  • Participant retention and incentives:

    • Retention incentives include: $10,000 per Graduate Fellow who becomes a permanent hire after the 12-month service commitment.
    • An additional grant incentive of $5,500 per Graduate Fellow per year for up to 2 years to support preceptor development and ongoing employment.
    • Opportunities for preceptor training to prepare Fellows as future preceptors.

  • Diversity and workforce development:

    • Efforts focus on aligning PMHNP fellows with CHC patient populations through language capability and cultural competence matching.
    • Ongoing demographic tracking (language, race, ethnicity) for Fellows and applicants, comparing with CHC patient populations to assess representation.
    • Data presented show language diversity and race/ethnicity among graduate and student Fellows and applicants, with emphasis on bilingual/bi-cultural capabilities.

  • Eligibility and prioritization (Appendix II):

    • Eligible CHCs include Massachusetts CHCs that qualify as FQHCs, hospital-licensed health centers, or FQHC-lookalikes.
    • Prioritization favors CHCs serving diverse, rural, or Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) populations and at least one rural CHC per program year.
    • Selection criteria emphasize:
    • Ability to hire graduates who are board-certified PMHNPs or eligible for certification in MA; MA APRN license; eligibility for MA Controlled Substances License/DEA.
    • Commitment to diversity and linguistic/cultural alignment with patient populations.
    • Capacity to precept Fellows, provide patient panels, care team support, physical space, and coverage for Fellows’ absences.

Who is affected

  • Community Health Centers (CHCs) receiving PMHNP fellowship funding (through pass-through amounts and in-kind support).
  • PMHNP Graduate Fellows and PMHNP Student Fellows participating in the program.
  • UMass Chan Graduate School of Nursing (program administration, didactics, preceptor development).
  • MassHealth/EOHHS as the overseeing agency, with reporting to the Legislature and relevant committees.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Reporting obligation follows statutory directive from Appendix I (Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021), with annual reporting due by April 1, summarizing applicants, participants, retention, diversification, and expenditures.
  • The report outlines ongoing and future cohorts (FY24–FY25 cohorts completed and in progress) and notes that the FY26 report will provide updated retention data across cohorts.
  • Data collection includes detailed demographic tracking (language capabilities, race, ethnicity, Hispanic/Latino origin) for both applicants and placed Fellows.

Impact and significance

  • Aims to increase the PMHNP workforce within Massachusetts CHCs, enhancing access to behavioral health care in communities served by CHCs.
  • Seeks to improve diversity and cultural competencies within the PMHNP workforce to better match patient populations.
  • Establishes structured funding, incentives, and preceptor development to sustain CHC PMHNP fellowship capacity and retention.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.