Please define the term “expansion” as related to BHCIP funding.

BHCIP expansion is considered the addition of new behavioral health service capacity only (beds/slots). Expansion does not include relocation/rebuilding/repurposing existing behavioral health service capacity. BHCIP funding is not preservation funding. Applications that propose to use BHCIP funding to move locations into a new facility, decrease current BH capacity, or support other non-capacity expansion activities will […]

The RFA requires applicants to provide a “sustainable business plan with (pro forma) projections of future objectives and strategies for achieving them.” Can you please explain what that means?

A sustainable business plan provides an outline of the business approach and structure of how the business will be operated and sustained over time—in this case, for the life of the funding. It is essential that all BHCIP applicants demonstrate that they have a plan for how they will absorb the expanded growth of their […]

If a project is already in progress and the applicant is willing to serve the target population(s) and be bound by the service and use requirements, can construction costs already incurred be reimbursed?

No. Funding may not be used for “reimbursement.” Only those costs that can be associated with completing the project (for example, adding an ADA-compliant walkway, widened doorways, etc.) would be eligible costs, per the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 5960.15: “An entity shall meet all of the following conditions in order to receive grant funds […]

How do I know whether the facility type is eligible for this funding opportunity, given the prospective population served and services provided?

The RFA (section 3.1) explains that BHCIP Launch Ready projects need to expand community capacity for serving the behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder [SUD]) population. All eligible entities will be required to demonstrate that they have a contractual relationship with the county to deliver Medi-Cal-covered behavioral health services.

Are facilities that provide Short-Doyle mental health services eligible for BHCIP funding? Our facility serves individuals who may not be able to be on Medi-Cal because of immigration status, for example.

Please ensure your facility is on the list of eligible facilities listed in the RFA. Eligible facilities must also provide behavioral health Medi-Cal services and have a contract with their county. Counties and providers currently utilize the Short-Doyle data system as the billing system for Medi-Cal behavioral health services. Also please review the general DHCS […]

What counts as matching funds?

Match in the form of cash and in-kind contributions—such as equity amount in land and existing structures—to the real costs previously incurred by the project will be allowed. Cash is the strongest form of match. The state must approve all match sources. Cash match may come from: “In-kind” match may be in the form of: All […]