Federal Grant Award Summary

El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center (El Rio Health Center) received a $214,232 Project Grant award dated March 1, 2026, from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Professionals, under the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Payment Program (CFDA 93.530). The award supports the establishment and operation of the El Rio Health Psychiatry Residency Program, a new community-based psychiatric residency training program scheduled to begin accepting residents in July 2025. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with ACGME Sponsoring Institution accreditation obtained July 1, 2022, and initial program accreditation achieved February 9, 2024, El Rio Health will serve as both the sponsoring institution and primary training location for the residency continuity practice in Tucson, Arizona.

The residency program delivers comprehensive graduate medical education in psychiatry designed to address mental health needs in underserved communities, emphasizing clinical excellence, research, advocacy, and community engagement. The program integrates training at El Rio Clinics with rotations at additional clinical sites through signed Program Letters of Agreement, providing residents with exposure to culturally competent, patient-centered care for diverse and vulnerable populations regardless of ability to pay. The THCGME funding supports the development of psychiatrists committed to mental health equity and workforce expansion in community-based ambulatory care settings. The award performance period extends through June 30, 2029.