FQHC Utilization of State and Federal Loan and Scholarship Programs to Support Clinician Recruitment

This NYHealth-supported report, prepared by the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), outlines State and federal scholarship and loan repayment programs that support workforce recruitment and retention efforts by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).

FQHCs provide comprehensive primary and preventive care services to all individuals, regardless of insurance status or income. Operating at more than 650 service sites in New York State, FQHCs are a critical safety-net system of care for some of the State’s most vulnerable residents. To ensure that FQHCs throughout the State can reach their full capacity, they must be able to recruit, train, and keep a workforce that is stable and well qualified to serve their low-income patients.

The report outlines the relevant State and federal programs that FQHCs can tap in their efforts to improve recruitment and retention planning and implementation. It also examines the barriers and challenges FQHCs have faced in accessing workforce programs, along with recommendations for how to improve the operation and uptake of these programs.

This report follows up on recommendations from a 2013 NYHealth-funded report by CHCANYS that identified ways for existing health centers to increase productivity and fill vacancies among clinical provider staff.