Background
Proposition 1, passed in March 2024, is a two-bill package that includes the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2024 (BHIBA).
BHIBA establishes a $6.38 billion general obligation bond to develop an array of behavioral health treatment, residential care settings, and supportive housing to help provide appropriate care facilities for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use disorders.
Of the $6.38 billion, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will distribute up to $4.4 billion in competitive grant funds for qualified applicants who have capital projects that align with the goals of BHIBA described above.
This competitive grant program is known as the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) with opportunities released in the following two rounds:
- Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready – $3.3 billion
- Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs – $1.1 billion
Letters of Support for Bond BHCIP
As required by the State, entities applying for the Bond BHCIP Program Round 1: Launch Ready and Round 2: Unmet Needs must obtain and submit a Letter of Support from their local County Behavioral Health Agency with their application.
In addition to meeting State criteria and priorities, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has developed local priorities to guide which projects will receive a Letter of Support. These priorities are described in the Request Form provided in the section below.
Receipt of a Letter of Support from the SFDPH does not guarantee that the State will award grant funding for a project.
Additionally, a Letter of Support from SFDPH does not necessarily indicate SFDPH’s ability to provide county funds to support the project. Requesting entities must have sustainable operating plans for their proposed projects and identify ongoing funds, as stated in the State Request for Applications (RFA).
Request a Letter of Support
Instructions
- To request a letter of support, entities must complete the following documents:
- Letter of Support Request Form: Complete all sections and sign (wet signature or electronic signature will be accepted).
- Draft Letter of Support Template: Input all entity and project information as indicated on the template.
- Submit your completed and signed Letter of Support Request Form and draft Letter of Support via email to BHCIP.BHS.contact@sfdph.org no later than four weeks prior to the date needed. The latest date to request a LOS for Round 1: Launch Ready is Friday, November 15 by 5pm PT.
- Include “BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Grant” and the name of the entity in the subject line of the email. [Example: BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Grant (Name of Entity)].
- SFDPH staff may contact you with questions or more information. Ensure all contact information on the Request Form is accurate to avoid delays. If your request for a Letter of Support is approved, the contact(s) listed on the Request Form will receive the Letter via email.
SFDPH is currently accepting LOS requests for Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready and will accept requests for Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs at a later date. SFDPH plans to update this webpage with relevant instructions for Round 2 in the future.
For any questions regarding SFDPH’s Letter of Support process for the Bond BHCIP Round 1 and Round 2 Grant, please contact BHCIP.BHS.contact@sfdph.org.
Requirements
To be eligible to receive a letter of support from SFDPH the following requirements must be met:
- Project must align with all State criteria
- Project must align with one or more State priorities
- Project must align with a majority of SFDPH priorities, including the goals of Mental Health SF and Treatment on Demand
- Provide the operating business plan and acknowledge that a letter of support does not necessarily indicate SFDPH’s ability to fund operating costs for the project
- Submit the completed, signed Request Form and a draft Letter of Support via email at least four weeks prior to the date needed.
Important Dates
- July 17, 2024: Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Applications (RFA) released
- August 9, 2024: Application portal opens on State website
- October 15, 2024: Deadline to register for a Pre-Application Consultation Meetings with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP)
- All applicants are required to complete a pre-application consultation (PAC) before submitting an application. Sign up here via the State’s website.
- November 15, 2024 by 5:00 PM: Submit completed Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Letter of Support Request Form and draft Letter of Support to SFDPH via email
- December 13, 2024 by 5:00 PM: Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Applications due to DHCS
- May 2025: Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready Award announcements by DHCS
For the most current information about grant requirements, deadlines, or updates, refer to the State’s website.