Tri-City Mental Health Authority (TCMHA) is making BHSSA sub-grant funds available for partners to expand, enhance, and/or extend existing SUD services and supports that already have a system/infrastructure through which to operate. The aim is to increase access to and awareness of school based and community-based SUD supports, including resource linkage and navigation within TCMHA’s behavioral health continuum of care.  This application process signifies the fourth and final round of BHSSA sub-grant awards.

To ensure funds are used in alignment with the purpose and goals of the BHSSA SUD grant program and Tri-City’s specific project, potential sub-grantees are required to review, complete, and submit the BHSSA SUD sub-grant application (‘Attachment A’). All grant awards will be subject to sub-grantees entering into a Business Associate Agreement (‘Attachment E’) for the services indicated under the sub-grantee’s application which will be incorporated and made part of said Agreement.

The Request for Application (RFA) begins September 28, 2026 with application deadline on October 30, 2026.

BHSSA SUD sub-grant applications will be accepted via email at grants@tricitymhs.org. For questions, please contact Erin Sapinoso, Strategic Initiatives Director at esapinoso@tricitymha.ca.gov or (909) 784-3091.

VIRTUAL BIDDER'S CONFERENCE. A virtual bidder's conference will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM. TCMHA staff will present information about the BHSSA SUD sub-grant opportunity and corresponding application and selection process. The conference will occur virtually via the RingCentral platform. Registration is required.

Virtual Bidder's Conference Registration
Virtual Bidder's Conference Meeting Link

Key Dates

• Request for application (RFA) release: September 28, 2026
• Bidder’s conference: October 5, 2026
• Application deadline: October 30, 2026
• Notice of intent to award: November 30, 2026 (Tentative)
• Award of contract*: December 16, 2026 (Tentative)
• Start of sub-grant agreement term and activities: January 1, 2027
• End of sub-grant agreement term and activities: December 1, 2027
• End of Tri-City Mental Health Authority BHSSA SUD grant activities: March 31, 2028

* TCMHA reserves the right to make no award of contract.

Background

In March 2022, Tri-City accepted a Mental (now Behavioral) Health Student Services Act (MHSSA) grant from the California Mental (now Behavioral) Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to meet the following aims:

• • • Promote school mental health as a prime opportunity to reach and serve at-risk children, families and neighborhoods;
    • Reach children, youth, and their families in an environment where they are comfortable and that is accessible; and
      
    • Help students succeed.

Through its BHSSA project, TCMHA fosters stronger school-community mental health partnerships that can leverage resources to increase access to collaborative, culturally-relevant, coordinated, family-driven, community and school-based services for high-risk youth and young adults (ages 25 and under) in Pomona, Claremont, and La Verne. Focal populations for targeted outreach include children and youth who are in foster care; those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; and those who have been expelled or suspended from school. TCMHA follows a “no wrong door” philosophy to remove barriers to timely access to care, and to provide young residents with mental and behavioral health services. 

Application Materials

BHSSA SUD Sub-grant Process
BHSSA SUD Sub-grant Application Review and Scoring
BHSSA SUD Sub-grant Application (Attachment A)
BHSSA SUD Sub-grant Budget Template and Narrative (Attachments B and C)
W-9 Form (Attachment D)
Sample Business Associate Agreement (Attachment E)
BHSSA SUD Sub-grant Authorized Signatory Form (Attachment F)
BHSSA SUD Checklist (Attachment G)
BHSSA Project Summary
BHSSA SUD Awareness Survey