HCAI opens $6 million Peer Personnel training grant; applications due March 6, 2026

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) opened a $6 million grant cycle to fund organizational training and placement programs for peer personnel, agency staff said during a Jan. 9, 2026 webinar. Applications opened Jan. 9 and are due March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m.; the grant period begins July 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2028.

The Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program funds public, private and nonprofit organizations — including faith‑based and community‑based organizations — to recruit, train and place individuals with lived experience in behavioral‑health services into peer positions. ‘‘This program is solely funded with state funds … our funding is secure,’’ Clinton Ramstead, program manager at HCAI’s Health Workforce Development, said during the webinar.

Why it matters: HCAI said the initiative is intended to expand the behavioral‑health workforce, especially in medically underserved and rural areas, by supporting organizations that can deliver an 80‑hour DHCS‑approved peer support specialist training and then place graduates in paid or unpaid peer positions.

Who can apply and key requirements: The grant awards organizations (not individual scholarships). Applicants must either be a DHCS‑recognized training provider or contract with one that appears on the Cal MHSA approved‑trainer list; HCAI officials said Cal MHSA makes the final determination of training‑provider eligibility and HCAI relies on that list. HCAI staff emphasized that In‑Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers administered by the California Department of Social Services do not qualify as placements for this program.

Training, placement and performance metrics: Training must meet the DHCS Medi‑Cal Peer Support Specialist 80‑hour requirement and be delivered by a DHCS‑recognized trainer or approved partner; certification is issued after exam passage and applicants should report verification numbers when available. For organizations receiving full placement funding, the program expects at least an 80% placement rate for trained participants, and placement success is a core performance metric.

Funding, award size and budgeting: Total funds available for the cycle are $6,000,000; the maximum award per organization is $1,000,000, though presenters urged applicants to request only what they can reasonably expend. HCAI outlined recommended direct‑cost budget shares: recruitment/outreach ≤5%; career counseling ≤20%; training ≤40%; financial assistance ≤10%; placement ≥35% of direct costs; support ≤20%; evaluation ≤5%; and approximately 10% left for indirect costs (optional).

Application logistics and supports: The online application portal and grant guide are on HCAI’s website; HCAI also provides a technical assistance guide and a BH Connect program for individuals seeking scholarships or certification supports. Presenters said there is currently no facility to upload MOUs or other documents in the application; applicants should list training sites and partners in the application and ensure any training partners are on Cal MHSA’s approved list prior to award. The webinar recording and slide deck will be posted within 7–10 business days after ADA accessibility checks.

Common applicant questions answered: Presenters confirmed the application contains two narrative fields limited to 1,000 characters each; financial assistance may cover tuition, exam fees, mentor stipends, pay while in training, textbooks and laptops; and applicants should identify training sites up front in their submission. HCAI said it prefers proposals that serve rural and underserved areas.

Contact and next steps: Applicants may apply through HCAI’s portal; HCAI provided the Health Workforce phone line (916‑326‑3700) and the behavioral‑health inbox (bhprograms@hcai.ca.gov) for follow up. The application deadline is March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m., after which award recommendations and Cal MHSA approvals will be checked before final awards.

The webinar concluded with a reminder that remaining questions can be directed to HCAI staff and resources on the agency website.