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 was held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM. TCMHA staff presented information about the BHSSA SUD sub-grant opportunity and corresponding application and selection process. The PowerPoint slides are available below.
BHSSA SUD Sub-Grant Bidder's Conference Presentation

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 Summary
BHSSA SUD Awareness Survey