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Behavioral Health Commission launches $20 million innovation RFA and seeks grant deadline extensions for youth centers
Summary
The Behavioral Health Services Oversight Commission described a new Innovation Partnership Fund RFA for $20 million in first‑round grants and requested an extension to spend remaining funds for All Cove youth drop‑in sites so Stanford can finish the program evaluation before funds revert.
The Commission for Behavioral Health told the subcommittee it is shifting innovation from county‑level pilots to a statewide approach under the Behavioral Health Services Act.
"The Fund offers two distinct grant categories: small grants for community‑based organizations under $500,000 and large grants between $500,000 and $5,000,000," Executive Officer Brenda Greilish said, noting more than 400 questions and two bidders conferences that drew over 1,000 participants after the March 20 request for applications. Applications for the first $20 million are due May 8 with awards expected in mid‑June and contracts to align with BHSA implementation on July 1.
Greilish also outlined a request to extend the liquidation deadline for All Cove youth drop‑in grants and reallocate up to $4,062,000 in remaining one‑time BHSA funds so delayed sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the independent evaluation before funds revert on June 30, 2026.
Why it matters: the IPF aims to test and scale promising models that address BHSA priority populations — people at risk of homelessness, institutionalization, conservatorship, justice‑system involvement or child welfare involvement — while the All Cove extension protects recent investments in youth centers that have faced staffing and site development delays.
Next steps: the commission will award IPF grants after application deadlines and the subcommittee held the All Cove extension request open.
