Behavioral Health Services Act Funded Community Driven Behavioral Health Initiative
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEP) Grant Program
BRIDGING COMMUNITY EXPERTISE AND SYSTEMIC IMPACT
The Community-Driven Behavioral Health Initiative (CBDHI) supports statewide implementation of culturally responsive behavioral health prevention strategies aligned with the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in partnership with California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) is pleased to announce that the Request for Applications (RFA) is officially NOW LIVE for the CDPH-funded Community-Driven Behavioral Health Initiative (CDBHI).
As the Third-Party Administrator and Technical Assistance Provider for this project, CIBHS is overseeing $30 million in competitive grant funding to support culturally responsive, community-driven behavioral health prevention across California.
This initiative is designed to support culturally rooted, community-driven and community-informed behavioral health prevention strategies and solutions. Funded projects will focus on promoting wellness before behavioral health conditions develop and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.
| Geographic Area(s) of Focus: | California-Statewide | |
| Funder: | California Department of Public Health (CDPH) | |
| Team Members: | Phanit Dy, Amanda Carbajal, David Salinas, Dr. Ryan Mertz, Jennifer Clancy, Stacy Smithee, Sinthu Kumar | |
| Contact: | CDBHI@cibhs.org |
Request for Applications (RFA) & Application Materials
Key Information
Total Funding Pool: $30 Million
Individual Grant Awards: Budget Range for Individual Grant Awards is $400K to $1M
Grant Duration: February 1, 2027 – April 30, 2029; 27 Months
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) CBOs & Tribal entities
Application Deadline: November 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM PST
Informational RFA Webinar: October 6, 2026, 1:00-3:00 PM PST
Join our webinar about the Community-Driven Behavioral Health Initiative (CDBHI) funding opportunity. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in partnership with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) will provide an overview of the population-based, prevention-focused Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs) funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, application process, key timelines, and available technical assistance for organizations interested in applying.
Why This Work Matters
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) defines community-defined evidence practices (CDEPs) as an alternative or complement to evidence-based practices, that offer culturally anchored interventions that reflect the values, practices, histories, and lived-experiences of the communities they serve, found to yield positive results as determined by community consensus over time. The CDBHI Program carries forward CDPH’s community defined evidence practices work.
CDPH recognizes CDEPs as an effective strategy for addressing behavioral health disparities among populations disproportionately affected by systemic racism and discrimination. CDEPs are built on three qualities: culturally grounded practices, community-driven development, and effectiveness demonstrated through real-world experience — and have been shown to increase self-esteem and sense of social support.
How This Work Is Done
CDBHI advances CDPH’s required strategies for community-defined evidence practices through technical assistance, implementation support, training, resource development, and cross-sector partnership building.
This approach reflects what CDPH identifies as the three defining qualities of an effective CDEP: culturally grounded practices, community-driven development, and effectiveness demonstrated through real-world experience — practical implementation and partnership that reflect the strengths and priorities of California’s diverse communities.
CIBHS’ period of performance for this contract is June 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029
The work includes:
- Supporting implementation of CDEPs
- Raising awareness about behavioral health and reducing stigma through broadly accessible, culturally relevant practices
- Conducting community outreach that meets communities where they already gather, with an ongoing dialogue and feedback cycle
- Building organizational trauma-informed practices, including trauma-informed principles, health equity, and community history
- Strengthening pathways for accessing culturally informed behavioral health education and prevention supports
What This Work Delivers
CDEPs eligible for CDPH funding must aim to prevent suicide, self-harm and overdose, and reduce stigma. CDEPs eligible for CDPH funding must also be aligned with statewide Behavioral Health Goals — including reducing suicide and overdose, and improving social connection, engagement in school and work, and quality of life, and health equity.
Increased Organizational Capacity
Expanded understanding and application of CDEPs and EBPs with cultural adaptations
Greater collaboration across behavioral health systems and community partners
Improved access to culturally responsive behavioral health prevention resources
Increased awareness and stigma reduction related to behavioral health
Stronger prevention infrastructure across California communities
Enhanced support for populations disproportionately impacted by behavioral health disparities
Stay Engaged
CDBHI helps communities strengthen culturally responsive prevention efforts, through technical assistance, partnership, and implementation support.
Additional resources and engagement opportunities will be added as the project evolves.
