The Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) is pleased to announce the release of the Peer Respite Pilot Project Request for Application (RFA PRO-001), making available $8.5 million in funding to support at least 9 peer respite pilot projects in the first phase of a broader $20 million statewide investment to expand the peer respite model across California.
Through this Mental Health Wellness Act (MHWA) funding opportunity, the Commission will support Peer-Run Organizations (PROs) in pilot projects to establish and open a new peer respite within the next two years. Awardees will be expected to partner with their local behavioral health department to help establish a sustainable peer respite that serves people approaching, experiencing, or stepping down from a behavioral health crisis, with the aim of improving community-based stabilization and reducing reliance on hospitalization, incarceration, and the loss of housing.
This opportunity reflects a broader, strategic effort to strengthen California’s community-based behavioral health crisis system and to advance low-barrier, recovery-oriented, and community-based supports, as reflected in California’s Behavioral Health Crisis Care Continuum Plan and AB 988 Five-Year Implementation Plan. It also reflects the opportunities provided by the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) demonstration to support housing interventions and other community-based stabilization and recovery supports.
This RFA is designed to intentionally support that work by helping communities build the partnerships, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to establish peer respites that can succeed over time. Alongside implementation support and capacity building, the Commission is also focused on strengthening sustainability pathways, identifying best practices, and building the data and evidence needed to support the peer respite model as part of California’s evolving crisis continuum.
This first-round RFA offers two grant categories:
- Category 1 – Small Grants (Less than $500,000): A minimum of 5 grants will be awarded, with $2.5 million available in this category.
- Category 2 – Large Grants (Up to $1,500,000): A minimum of 4 grants will be awarded, with $6 million available in this category.
Applicants may apply for one or both grant categories, but must submit a separate application for each category.
The Commission will release a separate $3 million Request for Proposal for technical assistance and evaluation later this year, as well as a second round of $8.5 million for peer respite pilot projects in Summer 2028.
Important Dates:
RFA Release: July 1, 2026
Bidder Conference: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 9:00 AM PST – Register Here
Intent to Apply Due: July 14, 2026
Deadline for Written Questions: July 14, 2026
Distribution of Questions & Responses: July 21, 2026
Deadline to Submit Applications: August 14, 2026, by 12:00 PM (Pacific)
Anticipated Notice of Intent to Award: September 11, 2026
How to Apply and Learn More:
We strongly encourage all interested organizations to attend the virtual Bidders Conference on July 7, 2026, to learn more about the RFA and ask clarifying questions.
Submit your questions via email to procurements@bhsoac.ca.gov with the subject line: RFA PRO-001.
Documents
Peer Respite RFA PRO-001 Addendum 1
RFA PRO-001 Addendum 1 Change Log
RFA PRO-001-EXHIBIT-D-Budget-and-Narrative
Previous Documents