Request for Application (RFA) for Peer Respite (PRO-001)

Request for Application (RFA) for Peer Respite (PRO-001) is sponsored by Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (BHSOAC). Supports Peer-Run Organizations in establishing new peer respite models to improve community-based stabilization for behavioral health crises in California. Part of the Mental Health Wellness Act initiative, focusing on reducing hospitalization and strengthening crisis care.

The Commission awards competitive grants for behavioral health initiatives across California, focusing on communities with the greatest unmet needs, through Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Applications (RFA). The Commission values authentic responses. Applicants are strongly discouraged from using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to draft their proposals.

Proposals heavily reliant on AI-generated content often lack the necessary specificity, context, and concrete detail required for a competitive submission.

Content characterized by repetitive, generic buzzwords or vague, high-level language may result in a lower score during the evaluation process, or, if the proposal fails to address the specific requirements of a Request for Proposal or Request for Application, may be disqualified from consideration.

Request for Application (RFA) for Peer Respite (PRO-001) Designed to support Peer-Run Organizations in establishing and opening new peer respite models. This investment aims to improve community-based stabilization for people experiencing behavioral health crises, reducing reliance on hospitalization, incarceration, and the loss of housing while strengthening California’s crisis care continuum.

Initiative: Mental Health Wellness Act Status: Accepting Applications Learn about the bidding process → Closed to New Applications Request for Application (RFA) for Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF-001) Designed to invest in bold, equity-centered innovative solutions that fundamentally improve how public behavioral health (i.e., mental health and substance use disorders) services are delivered, experienced, and sustained across the state.

Initiative: Innovation Partnership Fund Status: Closed to New Applications Request for Proposal (RFP) for Behavioral Health Student Services Act: Performance Management (BHSSA-Evaluation-002) One contract to an organization that will be responsible for recruiting a minimum of six (6) LEAs to establish and implement a school-based behavioral health performance management (BHPM) system.

Status: Closed to New Applications Request for Proposal (RFP) for Transition Age Youth Advocacy (RFP-TAY-005) Award a contract to one organization to develop and facilitate a program that builds the leadership, advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement capacity of Transition Age Youth (TAY) populations.

Status: Closed to New Applications Request for Proposal (RFP) for 0-5 Maternal Behavioral Health (0-5/MBH-002) One contract to an organization that will be responsible for providing technical assistance to six (6) community-based organizations awarded Mental Health Wellness Act funding under the 0-5/Maternal Behavioral Health Initiative.

Status: Closed to New Applications Request for Proposal (RFP) for Full Service Partnerships (FSP-PMTAP-001) One contract with an organization that will be responsible for recruiting a minimum of eight (8) California County Behavioral Health Departments in order to provide technical assistance and training, as well as establish a statewide learning community.

Status: Closed to New Applications Request for Proposal (RFP) for Immigrants and Refugees Advocacy Statewide Organization (I-R-004) Award a contract to one Statewide Organization to lead statewide efforts to conduct advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement activities on behalf of Immigrant and Refugee Populations.

Status: Closed to New Applications An Overview: The Bidding Process The Commission releases RFPs and RFAs when funds become available and awards grants through a competitive bid process. If applicants meet minimum qualifications, subject matter experts evaluate the applications and proposals to determine the highest scores. The highest scoring applications and proposals are recommended to the Executive Director for award.

The Executive Director considers the recommendation for grant funding, and if approved, authorizes publication of a Notice of Intent to Award on the CBH website and through an email announcement. The RFP/RFA is released upon approval of the Commission. All RFPs/RFAs include a due date in the Key Action Dates section and other dates related to the procurement process.

Occasionally, at the Commission’s discretion, a Bidder’s Conference is held to answer potential applicants’ questions regarding the RFP/RFA. All questions and answers are provided through a Question and Answer log posted on the Commission’s website. All applications/ proposals are due on the date provided in the Key Action Dates section of the RFP/RFA.

A team of subject matter experts scores RFPs/RFAs by consensus. The highest scoring applications are then recommended for funding. Notice of Intent to Award After a careful review and approval of the RFP/RFA procurement process by the Executive Director, the highest ranked proposer(s) is announced through a Notice of Intent to Award.

This notice will be posted on the Commission website and announced through email. For additional information, please contact Please fill out the form below. If you are experiencing a crisis, please refer to our Transformational Change Survey If you are thinking about suicide or are under emotional stress, or you are worried about a friend or family member, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available Toll-Free 24/7 .

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