California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development

Healthcare Workforce Development Division

Song-Brown Program

The Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act (Song-Brown Program) was established in 1973 under the Health and Safety Code Section 128200-128241 of the California Health and Safety Code to increase the number of health professional training slots in established medical schools. The program:

• Encourages universities and primary care health professionals to provide healthcare in medically underserved areas, and
• Provides financial support to family practice residency, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and registered nurse (RN) education programs throughout California

The Song-Brown program is aided by the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission (CHWPC). CHWPC is a 15-member citizen advisory board that provides expert guidance and statewide perspectives on health professional education issues, reviews applications and recommends contract awards. The CHWPC meets (go to Public Meetings) three times annually.

OSHPD provides administrative support to the CHWPC and the accredited training programs by executing contracts, facilitating Public Meetings, performing site visits, and assisting with periodic review and updates of Medical Service Study Areas.

Annual Application Process

Accredited training programs must submit applications on a periodic basis to continue to receive program funding. At present, 27 California family practice residency programs and 16 physician assistant/family nurse practitioner programs receive on-going support from the Song-Brown program. Song-Brown currently funds 34 registered nurse education programs (ADNs, BSNs and MSNs) to improve access to healthcare services. The Song-Brown Program does not provide funding to individual students.

Announcements!

The 2010 Capitation Funding Request For Application for Family Practice Residency Program is available: doc | pdf

Lodging and transportation information for all Sacramento meetings can be found here.

Registered Nurse Shortage Area Map is available here.

Payee Data Record required to accompany all RFA’s can be found here.

The California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission (Commission) will be soliciting public comment regarding the role of the Program Director's presentations at Song-Brown funding meetings. The Commission will provide an opportunity for public comment at the next three public meetings.

Archive Updates

• February 2, 2010 News Release to November 9, 2009 Awards Notice
• November 2, 2009 News Release to August 5-6, 2009 Awards Notice
• April 9, 2009 News Release to March 24-25, 2009 Awards Notice

Song-Brown Program Brochure

Contacts:

Manuela Lachica, HPS II, Song-Brown Program Director
(916) 326-3752
mlachica@oshpd.ca.gov

Melissa Omand, Program Analyst
Family Physician Residency Programs
Family Nurse Practitioner
Physician Assistant Training Programs
Telephone: (916) 326-3753
Email: momand@oshpd.ca.gov

Daniela Reynoso-Miranda, Program Analyst
Registered Nurse Education Programs
Mental Health PA Special Programs
Telephone: (916) 326-3754
Email: dreynoso@oshpd.ca.gov