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Evidence-Based and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Grants
Announcements
Public Comment Period is Now Closed
We appreciate the input received and will carefully review stakeholder feedback. We appreciate your engagement and commitment to strengthening behavioral health services across California.
The guide serves as a centralized resource to help our current and prospective EBP/CDEP providers, including community-based organizations, schools, and counties, navigate new state tools and Medi-Cal billing pathways, including those introduced through California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). It highlights Medi-Cal billing options for EBP and CDEPs supported by 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. The guide consolidates information on 43 EBPs, reimbursement considerations for CDEPs, and strategies for leveraging existing Medi-Cal authorities. It serves as a practical tool for community-based organizations, schools, counties, and other providers to expand access to culturally responsive, evidence-informed behavioral health care, advancing the goals of CalAIM and the Governor’s Mental Health for All Initiative.
EBP/CDEP Practices Resource Guide Webinar: December 11, 2025
The webinar provided an overview of the Resource Guide to registered participants, including content, explained how it supports implementation and sustainability of EBPs/CDEPs, and encouraged participants to provide feedback to the Resource Guide through the Public Comment period. For more details, review the EBP/CDEP Practice Resource Guide Webinar PDF.
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
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
|
Last modified date:
1/29/2026 3:26 PM
