​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Grants​​​

B​ackg​r​ound​

​​In line with its legislative mandate (see W&I Code section 596​1.5), DHCS will distribute $429 million in grants to organizations seeking to scale evidence-based and/or community-defined evidence practices (EBPs/CDEPs) that improve 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 across multiple funding rounds that will be announced in 2023.​ 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