Announcements

Children and Youth Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) Resource Guide 

On June 11, 2026, DHCS released the Children and Youth Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices (EBP/CDEP) Resource Guide. Developed with robust input from more than 70 stakeholders, the guide serves as a centralized resource to help EBP/CDEP providers navigate funding pathways for EBPs and CDEPs through Medi-Cal. The guide is especially valuable for community-based organizations, schools, counties, and other entities interested in seeking Medi-Cal reimbursement for their behavioral health services. It outlines Medi-Cal billing options for EBPs and CDEPs supported through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), and Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) initiative. Additionally, the guide consolidates information on 43 EBPs, provides reimbursement considerations for CDEPs, and offers strategies for leveraging existing Medi-Cal authorities. For an overview of the guide, see DHCS’ December 11, 2025, presentation on the EBP/CDEP Practice Resource Guide.

Background

In line with its legislative mandate (see W&I Code section 5961.5), DHCS was authorized a total of $381 million for the evidence-based and/or community-deffined evidence practices (EBPs/CDEPs) grant program to distribute grants to orgnaizations seeking to scale EBPs/CDEPs that imporve youth behavioral health (BH) based on robust evidence for effectiveness, impact on racial equity, and sustainability. By scaling EBPs and CDEPs throughout the state, DHCS aims to improve access to critical behavioral health interventions, including those focused on prevention, early intervention, and resiliency/recovery for children and youth, with a specific focus on children and youth who are from either or both of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Through an extensive community engagement process, DHCS selected a limited number of EBPs and CDEPs, to consider for scaling throughout the state. DHCS’ Grant Strategy Overview document highlights its overall strategy for scaling up EBPs and CDEPs. DHCS is partnered with the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to scale specified prevention and early intervention practices in Round 4 and Round 5. Additional information and resources for Rounds 4 and 5 can be found in the Resource Links column in the table below. 

Grant Round Information

Grant Round	Release Date	Deadline	Status	Resource Links	Award Announcements
Round 1: Parent and Caregiver Support Programs and Practices	December 1, 2022	January 31, 2023, 5:00 p.m.	Closed	RFA PDF FAQ Document	July 6, 2023 – Awardees
Round 2: Trauma-Informed Programs and Practices	February 9, 2023	April 10, 2023, 5:00 p.m.	Closed	RFA PDF FAQ Document	December 21, 2023 – Awardees
Round 3: Early Childhood Wraparound Services	August 7, 2023	November 1, 2023, 5:00 p.m.	Closed	RFA PDF FAQ Document	September 13, 2024 – Awardees
Round 4: Youth-Driven Programs	July 31, 2023	September 15, 2023, 3:00 p.m.	Closed	MHSOAC Website RFA Document	December 21, 2023 – Awardees
Round 5: Early Intervention Programs and Practices	September 13, 2023	November 17, 2023, 3:00 p.m.	Closed	MHSOAC Website RFA Document	March 8, 2024 – Awardees