Prop 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program Round 1 (Launch Ready) Letter of Support Process

NOTE: This webpage only applies to entities who are submitting an application for Prop 1: Launch Ready grant funds for capital projects.

The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023 (BHIBA) was one of the two bills included in Proposition 1, which passed in March 2024. BHIBA provides $6.38 billion to expand more behavioral health treatment, residential care settings, and supportive housing for people experiencing mental health and substance use conditions.

Of the total $6.38 billion, the California Department of Health Care Services 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:

  • BHCIP Round 1: “Launch Ready” Projects (2024)
  • BHCIP Round 2: “Unmet Needs” Projects (2025)

Letters of Support for Bond BHCIP Round 1

As required by the State, entities applying for the Bond BHCIP Program Round 1: Launch Ready grant 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 County of San Diego has developed local priorities to guide which projects will receive a Letter of Support. These priorities are included within the Request Form linked below.

Receipt of a Letter of Support from the San Diego County Behavioral Health Agency does not guarantee that the State will award grant funding for a project.

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
  • December 13, 2024 by 5:00 PM: Applications due
  • May 2025: Award announcements

For the most current information about grant requirements, deadlines, or updates, refer to the State’s website.

Requirements

To be eligible to receive a letter of support from the County of San Diego, Behavioral Health Agency, the following are required:

  • Project must align with all State criteria
  • Project must align with one or more State priorities
  • Project must align with a majority of County of San Diego priorities
  • Submit the completed, signed Request Form and a draft Letter of Support to BHSContactUs.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov at least six weeks prior to the date needed. Late requests may not have sufficient time to be considered.

Request a Letter of Support

  1. To request a letter of support, entities must complete the following documents:
  2. Submit your completed and signed Letter of Support Request Form and draft Letter of Support via email to BHSContactUs.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov no later than six weeks prior to the date needed.
    •  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)].
       
  3. County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services 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.

For any questions regarding the County of San Diego’s Letter of Support process for the Bond BHCIP Round 1 Grant, please contact BHSContactUs.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Additional Resources