California behavioral health commission seeks input on $100 million Innovation Partnership Fund

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission hosted a virtual listening session on the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) to gather input from behavioral health clients and people with lived experience on the grant design for a five‑year, $100,000,000 allocation created by Proposition 1.

Commission staff outlined a timeline and grant design concepts and asked for public feedback on four proposed ways to define "innovation," three broad funding pillars and six program priorities that would guide awards. Commissioners Gary Tsai and Rachel Chambers attended in their official capacities to listen and take questions.

Commission staff described the IPF as a statewide, one‑time allocation to be received on July 1, 2026, and said they intend to present a draft grant concept to the commission in October, release an RFP outline in January and publish a request for proposals in late January or early February, with contracts to begin July 1, 2026. "We have this 100,000,000 5 year allocation for innovation partnership funds that, we will receive on 07/01/2026," said Brenda, the commission's executive director, while describing the planning timeline and next steps.

Staff from Sellers Dorsey presented draft language…