Equity Learning for Health Professionals Program

1. Increase the number of providers trained in cultural competence and cultural humility, trauma-informed care and equity in the health care delivery system.
2. Improved patient-provider communication and trusted relationships resulting from an expanded network of Medi-Cal providers who are culturally responsive.

The Equity Learning for Health Professionals Program supports implementation of equity-oriented learning experiences for staff of organizations that provide health care services to Medi-Cal members. Applicants must describe how their proposed Equity Learning project will directly expand provider capacity to provide equity-oriented health care and support the grant program goals.

Training and professional development

Grants support in-person or virtual training or consulting engagements for health professionals serving the Medi-Cal population to engage in professional development, including:

• Understanding/respect for cultural backgrounds and experiences of patients/clients.
• Acknowledgement of the role that trauma, racism, historical and systemic inequities, and social determinants of health play in shaping health outcomes.
• Commitment to actively work to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity for all Medi-Cal members.

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

Additionally, applicants must be one of the following:

• A health care provider organization with at least 25% Medi-Cal patient volume.
• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit or governmental agency that provides safety net services to a significant volume of Medi-Cal members in the Alliance service area.

Amount

The Alliance will consider funding projects up to $40,000 per grant.

Grant payments for grantee-identified consultant services or training will be made directly to grantee to pay for fees and direct costs associated with the project.

Term

Project timelines should be no more than 12 months.

Project timelines are defined as the date the project scope of work begins (after grant award date) to the date of project completion.

An applicant is limited to Equity Learning funding for one project at a time, which may be implemented for staff at more than one site. A project budget may contain costs for staff at more than one site.

Funding will be considered for projects already in progress. However, activities completed or costs incurred prior to approval of the grant request by the Alliance will not be considered.

Eligible expenses

The grant funding is available for:

• Professional development opportunities.
• Training series.
• Workshops.
• Conferences.
• Other interactive learning experiences.

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Consultant costs.
• Training tuition/fees.
• Learning materials.
• Logistical costs for on-site training at provider offices.
• Training materials.

Ineligible expenses

The Alliance will not fund the following as part of the program:

• Staff travel, overhead or administrative costs.
• Staff time to attend trainings.
• Payment of a board member, employee or any party who is directly affiliated with your organization.
• Activities completed or costs incurred prior to approval of the grant request by the Alliance.

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

Applications for Equity Learning grants require an attached Scope of Work that names the qualified consultant or training opportunity and details the work to be completed and anticipated results. The Scope of Work will show a breakdown of the specific activities performed by the consultant or during the training and must include an estimated number of hours associated with those activities.

 The Alliance reserves the right to ask for evidence of a consultant's qualifications and to reject a consultant if deemed not qualified.

Applications require submission of financial statements, including:

• Audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years.
• 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.