Medi-Cal Capacity Grant Program (MCGP)

The Alliance will focus on strengthening and expanding the provider workforce to address provider shortages and increase the number of providers who reflect the diversity of the Alliance’s membership. The Alliance will also make investments to improve coordination across the health care system and address infrastructure and capacity gaps to ensure that Medi-Cal members are able to access high-quality care when, where and how they need it.

Funding Need for Access to Care

• Health care workforce shortages in the Alliance service area impact Medi-Cal members’ access to timely health care services.
• New provider types are being integrated in the Medi-Cal health care continuum to deliver a range of new non-medical services to address social drivers of health.
• The existing health care workforce is challenged to reflect the racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of Alliance members.
• Organizations that serve the Medi-Cal population need expanded capacity and infrastructure to increase access to services.

Funding Goals for Access to Care

• A robust health care workforce that can deliver coordinated, person-centered care and the full array of Medi-Cal services.
• Improved patient-provider communication and trusted relationships, resulting from an expanded network of Medi-Cal providers who are linguistically and culturally responsive.
• Medi-Cal members are able to access high-quality care when, where and how they need it.

Funding Priorities for Access to Care

• Address workforce shortages, infrastructure and capacity gaps.  
• Increase the racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of the provider network to better reflect the Alliance’s membership.
• Improve the coordination, integration and capacity of the behavioral health system, including coordination between the physical health system and behavioral health system.

By investing in early childhood development, the Alliance will positively impact the health and well-being of its youngest members and their families in the short and long term, as well as ensure they have the resources and support needed to thrive.  

Funding Need for Healthy Beginnings

• The first five years of life are critical to health and brain development.
• Historical and persistent trauma (including systemic racism) and adverse childhood experiences can negatively impact physical, mental, emotional and behavioral health.
• Barriers to preventative services affect maternal, infant and child health.
• Investing in early childhood development has proven benefits for children, families and society.

Funding Goals for Healthy Beginnings

• Families with a new child receive timely prenatal and post-natal care to ensure optimal physical and mental health for mothers and to promote healthy birth outcomes.
• Children are healthy and thriving by age 5.
• Children (prenatal through age 5) and their parents/caregivers have access to preventative health care services and community resources to support their families’ health and well-being. 
• Parents and caregivers have the knowledge, resources and support they need to provide safe, nurturing environments for their children.

Funding Priorities for Healthy Beginnings

• Increase access and use of preventative health services, early identification and intervention services, behavioral health interventions and early childhood development interventions.
• Provide parents with social support and education about child development and parenting.
• Assist families in navigating the health care system and connecting to health and community resources that support child development and family well-being.
• Promote strategies for systems change that allow families to fulfill aspirations for children’s long-term health and economic opportunities.

By investing in the non-medical factors that impact health, such as food and housing, the Alliance can ensure that Medi-Cal members have access to what is needed to live their healthiest lives at every stage of life. Creating communities where healthy options are easy and available to all can reduce health disparities, support healthy and active lifestyles and reduce risk of chronic disease.

Funding Need for Healthy Communities

• Social, economic and environmental factors shape individual health and well-being. These factors influence risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular disease. 
• Lack of access to healthy food, safe and stable housing, quality schools and safe places to exercise and play create barriers to health.
• Geographic communities experience differences in environmental factors and distribution of resources, which contribute to disparities in health risks and quality-of-life outcomes.
• Medi-Cal members experience barriers such as: limited English proficiency, transportation, childcare, and health literacy; food insecurity; overcrowded housing; insecure employment; and low wages. These barriers impede their ability to access services and manage their health.

Funding Goals for Healthy Communities

• Medi-Cal members have access in their communities to what is needed to live their healthiest lives, support healthy options and reduce risk of chronic disease, including access to:

1. Fresh, affordable, healthy food.
2. Safe places to play and be active. 
3. Permanent supportive housing for Medi-Cal members experiencing homelessness.

• Medi-Cal members have the knowledge and resources to effectively manage their health.
• Medi-Cal members are empowered to advocate for policy and systems changes that promote good health for themselves and their communities.

Funding Priorities for Healthy Communities

• Focus on individuals, families and communities experiencing disparities in health.
• Invest in drivers of individual and community health and well-being, such as nutritious food, supportive housing and safe places to be active.
• Engage trusted community-based organizations to promote available health care services and resources to reduce disparities.
• Support community/youth leadership development and civic engagement efforts that transform infrastructure and promote wellness and health equity for individuals and the community.