Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Programs
The Song-Brown program aims to increase the number of students and residents receiving quality primary care education and training in areas of unmet need throughout California.
Healthcare Workforce Development Division (HWDD) Program Update#
We understand many of our awardees are being impacted by COVID-19. The Healthcare Workforce Development Division (HWDD) is committed to ensuring we support our awardees during this difficult time. If your grant is impacted by COVID-19, please notify us of any changes that may impact the terms of your grant agreement (e.g., disruption of program activities, site closures or reassignments, disruption due to illness). We are here to support you in your work addressing the healthcare workforce needs of California. Please keep in touch with your grant’s program manager as needed.
Primary Care Residencies (PCR)#
Eligibility#
Accredited primary care residency training programs (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, or Pediatrics), either traditional or Teaching Health Center (THC).
Eligible programs may apply for Existing, Expansion, THC, or New Program funding.
Application Dates#
- Opens April 30, 2020
- Closes June 2, 2020
Resources#
- PCR Grant Guide
- Song-Brown Glossary
- Primary Care Shortage Area (PCSA) Report
- Song-Brown Scoring Process
- PCR Technical Assistance Guide
- PCR Funding Meeting
- Date September 15-16, 2020
Funding Awards#
Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistants (FNP/PA)#
Eligibility#
California accredited Family Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant programs are eligible to apply.
Application Dates#
- Opens June 15, 2020
- Closes July 17, 2020
Resources#
- FNP-PA Grant Guide
- FNP/PA Technical Assistance Guide
- Song-Brown Glossary
- PCSA Report
- Song-Brown Scoring Process
FNP/PA Funding Meeting#
- Date November 4-5, 2020
Funding Awards#
Registered Nurses (RN)#
Eligibility#
Board of Registered Nurse approved pre-licensure (ADN, BSN, MSN) programs are eligible to apply.
Application Dates#
- Opens September 1, 2020
- Closes October 2, 2020
Resources#
- 2019-20 RN Grant Guide
- 2019-20 Technical Assistance Guide
- Song-Brown Glossary
- Registered Nurse Shortage Area (RNSA) Report
RN Funding Meeting#
- Date January 13-14, 2021
- Location: 2020 West El Camino Ave. Sacramento, CA 95833
Funding Awards#
California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission#
The California Health and Safety Code, Section 128200-128241 established the Song-Brown program in 1973 to increase primary care in California. OSHPD provides administrative support to the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission (Commission) and the awarded training programs by executing and monitoring contracts, and facilitating public meetings. The Commission recommends funding awards to the OSHPD Director.
The Commission recommends funding programs that demonstrate the ability to:
- Place graduates in medically underserved areas
- Attract and admit members of minority groups
- Locate programs in medically underserved areas
Public Meetings#
Governor’s Appointments#
- Jasmeet K. Bains, MD
Representing Family Medicine Residents
Appointment Date: 5/23/2017 - Rosslynn Byous, DPA, PA-C
Representing practicing Primary Care Physician Assistants
Appointment Date: 12/31/2010 - Elizabeth Dolezal, Vice Chair
Representing the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Appointment Date: 1/17/2007 - Katherine Flores, MD
Representing practicing Family Physicians
Appointment Date: 11/25/2013 - Susan Foster, MSN, FNP-BC
Representing practicing Family Nurse Practitioners
Appointment Date: 10/26/2018 - William Henning, DO, Chair
Representing Private Medical Schools
Appointment Date: 12/31/2010 - Cathryn L. Nation, MD
Representing University of California Medical Schools
Appointment Date: 3/14/2008 - Joseph Provenzano, DO
Representing practicing Osteopathic Physicians
Appointment Date: 2/26/2014 - Deanna Stover, PhD., RN
Representing practicing Registered Nurses
Appointment Date: 7/14/2017
Assembly Speaker Appointments#
- Maria Dorado, MSN, RN, PHN
Representing Nursing Students
Appointment Date: 05/12/2020 - Angelica Millan, DNP, RN/NP, FAAN
Representing practicing Registered Nurses
Appointment Date: 5/15/2006 - Debra Sung, MSPT
Representing Consumers
Appointment Date: 10/25/2017
Senate Rules Committee Appointments#
- Sandra L. Baker, DNP, RN, CNE, ANEF
Representing Nursing Students
Appointment Date: 2/1/2017 - Catherine Kennedy, RN
Representing practicing Registered Nurses
Appointment Date: 11/22/2013 - Gregory E. Knoll, Esq
Representing Consumers
Appointment Date: 10/3/19
Frequently Asked Questions#
Who is eligible to apply for Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act funding?
Accredited family practice residency programs, physician assistant/family nurse practitioner programs and registered nurse programs can apply for funding.
Can students apply for Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act funding?
No, funding is not available to individual students. However, students do benefit from this program if the training program they are participating in has been awarded Song-Brown funding.
Who determines which training programs receive funding from the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act?
The California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission (Commission) which is composed of 15 members who shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities:
- (a) Nine members appointed by the Governor, as follows:
- (1) One representative of the University of California medical schools, from a nominee or nominees submitted by the University of California.
- (2) One representative of the private medical or osteopathic schools accredited in California from individuals nominated by each of these schools.
- (3) One representative of practicing family physicians.
- (4) One representative who is a practicing osteopathic physician or surgeon and who is board certified in either general or family practice.
- (5) One representative of undergraduate medical students in a family practice program or residence in family practice training.
- (6) One representative of trainees in a primary care physicians assistant program or a practicing physicians assistant.
- (7) One representative of trainees in a primary care nurse practitioners program or a practicing nurse practitioner.
- (8) One representative of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, from nominees submitted by the office director.
- (9) One representative of practicing registered nurses.
- (b) Two consumer representatives of the public who are not elected or appointed public officials, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules.
- (c) Two representatives of practicing registered nurses, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules.
- (d) Two representatives of students in a registered nurse training program, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one appointed by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules.
- (e) The Chief of the Health Professions Development Program in the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, or the chief’s designee, shall serve as executive secretary for the commission.
Are the Commission meetings open to the public?
Yes, the meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held in correlation with the application filing period.
When do training programs apply for Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act funding?
HWDD releases applications on an annual basis for each funding program. See the sections above for more information.