Appropriates $15,000,000 to DCA for purpose of providing grants to DCF and DHS to establish a workforce development and job retention and advancement services grant program for mental health care and behavioral health care providers.

This bill appropriates $15 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to create a grant program for mental health and behavioral health care providers working with New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) or Department of Human Services (DHS). The grants will help these providers hire, train, and retain staff by funding workforce development and job retention services. Up to 2.5% of the funds may cover administrative costs for DCF, DHS, or the managing Division of Disaster Recovery. Grants must be allocated within 45 days of receiving complete applications, and the Division of Disaster Recovery will oversee federal compliance. The program directly supports providers contracted with DCF or DHS, aiming to strengthen their workforce capacity.