Purpose:                                      

This communication provides updated guidance to local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and agencies regarding a change to Appendix 1 – Guidelines for Grant Application for the Request for Application (RFA) for Moving California Oral Health Forward 2022-2027, effective November 5, 2021.

Why the Update Is Needed:

California Department of Public Health, Office of Oral Health (OOH) determined that it is of high public health importance to maintain Local Oral Health Programs (LOHPs) and to concentrate efforts in the most critical objectives to reach goals identified in the California Oral Health Plan 2018-2028 (PDF).

An addendum to Appendix 1- Guidelines for Grant Application has been issued for all LHJs and agencies eligible to apply for the RFA Moving California Oral Health Forward 2022-2027. The addendum revises the grant activities and reporting/tracking measures of objectives requirements for each funding tier.  At a minimum, objectives 1-3 are mandatory and at least one (1) additional objective from objectives 4-7 must be selected for all LOHPs. Legacy LOHPs are encouraged to select additional objectives that were initiated in the previous grant cycle.

Background:

CDPH has authority to grant funds for the LOHP under Health and Safety Code, Sections 104750 and 131085(a).

Letter of Intent:

The deadline to submit the Letter of Intent to OOH has been extended to November 12, 2021.

Addendum to Appendix 1 – Guidelines for Grant Application:

The following outlines revisions and requirements to grant activities by funding tier. These revisions will replace the following within Appendix 1- Guidelines for Grant Application:

• Funding Tiers, Grant Activities, and Reporting/Tracking Measures (page 8 of 13)
• Table 2: 2022-27 Minimum Grant Activities and Reporting/Tracking Measures of Objectives Requirement Summary by Funding Tier (page 9 of 13)
• Instructions for Completing the Grant Application, Grant Activities and Reporting/Tracking Measures (pages 10 - 11 of 13)

Requirements:

The Agency application must align with the Grant Activities and Reporting/Tracking Measures of Objectives minimum requirements described below in Table 2.

LHJs or designees must select Grant Activities and Reporting/Tracking Measures for objectives 1, 2, and 3 and will be responsible for selecting at least one (1) additional objective (from objectives 4 – 7) of their choice for the entire grant term.

LHJs or designees can choose one (1) or all objectives from 4-7, depending on community needs and resources. (Please refer to Exhibit A, Grant Activities). Legacy LOHPs are encouraged to select additional objectives that were initiated during the 2017-2022 cycle to build upon in the 2022-2027 grant cycle.

If you are having difficulty accessing the information in this flow chart, please contact CDPH at dentaldirector@cdph.ca.gov to request this information in an alternate format.

The work being conducted across the state will help us reach our goal of reducing oral health disparities in California's children. At a minimum, grantees will promote, coordinate, facilitate, and evaluate school dental programs in urban elementary schools with greater than 50 percent of students on the free/reduced-price lunch program and all rural elementary schools, and link children to a source of dental care.

For additional information, please review the program guidelines. Questions can be directed to OOH at dentaldirector@cdph.ca.gov. Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to improving the oral health status of Californians!  

Sincerely,

Jayanth Kumar, DDS, MPH
State Dental Director
CDPH - Office of Oral Health

CDPH OOH, MS 7218 l  P.O. Box 997377  l  Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

(916) 440-7197 PHONE  ●   (916) 636-6678 FAX

Department Website: www.cdph.ca.gov