Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorder Prevention and Education

The Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorder Prevention and Education funding opportunity is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services in partnership with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports community-driven health initiatives across the state. This program is funded through the State Opioid Response grant provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is designed to address the ongoing opioid and stimulant use crises in California. The initiative reflects a broader statewide effort to reduce overdose deaths, expand access to treatment, and strengthen prevention and recovery systems through coordinated community engagement. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund community-based organizations to implement outreach, education, and referral activities that address opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, and polysubstance use. The program emphasizes increasing public awareness, reducing stigma associated with substance use disorders, and strengthening referral pathways to treatment services, including medications for opioid use disorder. Funded activities must focus on prevention and education rather than direct clinical treatment, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and culturally responsive approaches. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities, including training community health workers and peer navigators, conducting outreach campaigns, developing educational materials, hosting workshops and events, and building partnerships with local service providers. Organizations may also implement stigma reduction campaigns, conduct surveys or focus groups, and develop innovative approaches to expand access to information and services. However, funds cannot be used for direct treatment services, housing, vehicle purchases, or other restricted costs outlined under federal guidelines. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this program, making it accessible to a wide range of nonprofit applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federally recognized tribal organizations, or entities applying through a fiscal sponsor. Organizations must be located in California or have a California-based presence and must demonstrate at least two years of experience providing prevention and education services. Applicants must also be in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies and maintain compliance throughout the grant period. The program encourages collaboration and partnerships to expand reach and impact across communities. The application process requires submission through an online portal and includes completion of a pre-award risk assessment, a detailed project proposal, and multiple supporting documents such as financial statements, IRS documentation, and a proposed budget using a required template. Applicants must clearly outline their project activities, timeline, expected outcomes, and evaluation methods. Competitive applications will demonstrate strong organizational capacity, clear alignment with program goals, and measurable impact. Applications are reviewed based on completeness, feasibility, and the strength of the proposed approach. The application deadline is July 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced in late August 2026, with a project period running from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. The program is not recurring in a formally stated cycle, and there is no appeal process for funding decisions. During the grant period, funded organizations must submit quarterly data reports, biannual narrative reports, and participate in an annual site visit. Payments are deliverable-based, requiring demonstration of progress toward defined milestones before funds are disbursed. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a targeted investment in community-driven solutions to address substance use disorders in California. By focusing on education, outreach, and system navigation, the program aims to build stronger local networks of support and improve access to treatment services while addressing stigma and barriers that prevent individuals from seeking care.

Ensure strong alignment with program goals provide measurable outcomes demonstrate readiness for immediate implementation and include detailed realistic timelines and community impact strategies