(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday announced the state is allocating $800 million during its latest round of behavioral health grants.
Under Proposition 1, the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2024 infused up to $4.4 million into the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. The California Department of Health Care Services is distributing these funds through competitive grants, according to the DHCS.
Earlier this month, the DHCS released its first round of Bond BHCIP grant money, announcing the availability of $3.3 million in Bond BHCIP Round 1: Launch Ready funds. Newsom then announced the availability of $800 million in Bond BHCIP Round 2: Unmet Needs Requests for Applicants, on Friday, according to a press release.
Bond BHCIP Round 2 aims at funding projects that build, acquire or expand local behavioral health facilities. The funding will also go toward helping projects improve and expanding residential treatment, outpatient care, crisis service and mobile crisis infrastructure.
Newsom said his announcement shows his administration’s continuation to further improve behavioral health. Newsom also said the funding will help ensure people get the care they need, when they need it.
DHCS Director Michelle Baas agreed with Newsom, saying Bond BHCIP Round 2 aims toward helping Californians who are often neglected, access the help they need.
The funding from Bond BHCIP Round 2 is available to all eligible applicants, and applications must be submitted by Oct. 28. Awards are expected to be released spring 2026.
