Partners for Active Living Program

The Partners for Active Living Program aims to increase access to opportunities for community-based physical activity for the Medi-Cal population in Merced, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

1. Increase Medi-Cal member access to opportunities for physical activity and recreation in the community.
2. Engage Medi-Cal members in forming life-long healthy habits to support mental and physical health and overall well-being.
3. Reduce racial and other inequities in Medi-Cal member access to safe places to play and be active.
4. Strengthen community-based partnerships to support Medi-Cal members.

• A growing body of research demonstrates the significant benefits of physical activity on a person’s physical and mental health. Many chronic conditions and related health care spending are largely preventable, in part through regular movement and exercise.
• Many people are not engaging in physical activity. According to a 2019 study published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, less than one quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day. National Health Interview Survey data from 2018 also indicates that only 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 adolescents in the United States meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
• The Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans shares that physical activity can help youth and adults improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.  

• Physical activity level is a key driver that directly impacts Alliance members’ health status. Many Medi-Cal members face significant barriers to accessing safe and supported opportunities for physical activity in their communities.
• Community-based strategies that make it safer and easier to be active can help people support their overall physical and mental health.
• Programs that include active collaborations with medical and behavioral health care providers in their communities can support connection to more preventative health services and management of chronic conditions.
• Health care providers are uniquely positioned to support Medi-Cal members facing health risks and chronic conditions in connecting with community-based resources that provide opportunities for physical activity.

Grants support community-based projects that directly serve the Medi-Cal population and support the Partners for Active Living Program funding goals.

This funding opportunity requires inclusion of the following components:

• Implementation of intervention or program that provide children, adults and families opportunities to engage in physical activity and recreation programs in the community.
• Engagement of medical and/or behavioral health care providers in partnering on program development or coordination and referral of Medi-Cal members to the intervention or program.
• A behavioral education or empowerment component that supports understanding of the importance of physical activity for one’s health and wellbeing.

Applicants who demonstrate one or more of the following will strengthen their grant application:

• Data about geographic need where project will be implemented and/or population(s) of focus (e.g., age, developmental disabilities, specific chronic conditions).
• Engagement of Medi-Cal members in developing a culturally and linguistically appropriate intervention or program that will meet their needs.
• Commitment to strategies that promote health equity.
• Use of evidence-based practices or recognized effective practices.
• Leveraging other funding sources and initiatives.
• Evaluation of access to opportunities for physical activity and daily physical activity level.
• Evaluation (in partnership with health care provider) of access to preventative health services (e.g., child/adolescent wellness visits and childhood immunizations), and/or chronic condition-related health outcomes such as blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C).

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the Medi-Cal Capacity Grant Program (see Eligibility Guidelines) and the following:

• Applicants must be a contracted Alliance provider or 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or community group with a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3), or governmental entity that provides services to a significant volume of Medi-Cal members in the Alliance service area.
• Additional types of partners not listed above may be involved in the project but cannot serve as the applicant (e.g., businesses, for-profit housing developments).
• An applicant is limited to Partners for Active Living Program funding for one project at a time, which may be implemented at more than one site.
• One organization must serve as the applicant/grantee organization.
• Serving as the applicant for one project would not prohibit an entity from also serving as a partner on another Partners for Active Living-funded project.

The Alliance will consider funding projects up to $250,000 per grant. Project timelines should be no more than 24 months. Project timelines are defined as the date the project scope of work begins (after grant award date) to the date of project completion. Funding will be considered for expansion of projects already in progress. However, activities completed or costs incurred prior to approval of the grant request by the Alliance will not be considered. A project budget may contain costs for more than one site. Funding is not intended for physical infrastructure projects such as building new playgrounds or parks.

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Personnel expenses (salary and benefits) for one or more Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) with direct responsibilities for the project.
• Consultants and vendor costs for project start-up and/or implementation of project.
• One-time purchase of equipment and/or technology dedicated to project implementation.
• One-time cost to develop reporting and/or electronic health records (EHR) templates to capture data related to physical activity program referrals and/or screening and patient health outcomes being evaluated.
• Programmatic costs (materials, participant incentives, mileage, etc.).
• Indirect costs up to 15% are eligible and may be included in project budget.

Visit our How to Apply page for deadlines, instructions and the online application form.

Applications require submission of financial statements, including audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years and an organizational profit and loss statement and balance sheet for the last 12 months. If audited financial statements are not available, applicant should provide a rationale for not performing an annual audit and upload their company or organization’s most recent tax return or Form 990.