In 2022, the United States and California experienced an outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). To date, California has reported over 5900 cases of mpox and 257 hospitalizations. Most of the reported infections in California have been in gay, bisexual, and or other men who have sex with men. Although the outbreak has slowed,
mpox cases are still occurring in California and there is a risk of resurgence. The JYNNEOS vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, and additional efforts are needed to vaccinate populations most at risk for mpox, particularly those disproportionately impacted by mpox. Testing for mpox has also decreased but is necessary to detect additional cases and provide education and/or treatment to persons diagnosed to prevent further transmission.
The purpose of the Mpox Community-Based Organization (CBO) Grant is to fund eligible CBOs for mpox vaccine administration, vaccine outreach/education, and testing activities to communities at-risk for mpox. āGroups most at-risk for mpox include gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM); trans and non-binary persons; people with HIV or recent history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI); Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
A CBO is defined as a public or private nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals in the community. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and pharmacies are considered a CBO as long as they are a nonprofit entity. A nonprofit entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. There is $2.047 million available to fund CBOs. Applications will be scored based on population served, CBO size, and the description of outreach/education activities.The grant can cover vaccine outreach/education efforts and uncompensated vaccine and testing administration expenses incurred between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024.
Community Based Organizations (CBOs) located in California are eligible to apply. A CBO is defined as a public or private
nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals in the community, and can include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and pharmacies that are
nonprofit. A nonprofit entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
In addition, the CBO must:
- Be registered and have a status of good standing with the California Secretary of State.
- Be in existence for a minimum of 3 years.
- Have the infrastructure to accept, store, and administer the JYNNEOS vaccine.
- Enter administered doses into the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).
- Onboard and have a valid CAIR Org Code (i.e., unique Immunization Information System [IIS] ID) verifiable in CAIR within 15 days of awardee letter
- Have the ability to track expenditures with detail and promptly invoice.ā
āHospitals, local health departments, and school districts are
not eligible.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (PDF), page 4,
Eligibility section)
2. Can local health departments apply for this funding opportunity?
Hospitals, local health departments, and school districts are
not eligible.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (PDF)ā, page 4,
Eligibility section)
3. For the question regarding vaccinations administered, am I entering the amount I have administered or plan to administer?
Please report the total number of vaccines administered from July 1, 2022 ā October 31, 2023.
(see
Application Worksheet (PDF, 2.3MB), page 3)
4. If we are a CBO which does not have the ability to accept, store, and administer the vaccines, are we still eligible if we partner with a provider who does?
No. It is expected that the applying CBO itself has the ability to accept, store, and administer the vaccines.ā
5. Will JYNNEOS vaccine and testing kits be provided to each CBO at no cost for this grant effort? If yes, how will CBOs obtain these items?
JYNNEOS vaccine will be provided to each funded entity through their local health department at no cost as long as vaccine continues to be available from the federal government. ā
6. Will mpox testing kits be provided to each CBO at no cost for this grant effort?
CDPH will not be providing mpox test kits at no cost for this grant, but testing kits are an allowable expense under this grant.
7. Can applications be focused on outreach or does each have to include vaccinations?
The purpose of the Mpox CBO Grant is to fund eligible CBOs for (1) mpox vaccine administration, (2) mpox outreach/education, and (3) mpox testing activities. There is no requirement that an application needs to meet all three objectives but they must at least do either vaccine administration or mpox testing activities.
8. If we co-locate vaccination providers at our site can we use their CAIR Org Code if we donāt have one?
The CBO itself must have a CAIR Org Code (or one within 15 days of the date of their awardee letter) to be eligible for this grant. The funded entity can then work with other organizations that do not have a CAIR org code to support vaccination and testing efforts.
9. Can CBOs that have multiple sites or centers in multiple counties apply for a grant award for each of their sites?
We will only consider one application per organization (and not one for each site or center). Please note, organizations with multiple sites must submit ALL CAIR Org Codes for all sites planned to be funded through this grant on the application.
10. If we have very specific questions, is there a way to speak to someone directly?
No. All questions must have been submitted during the information session or to
STDLHJContracts@cdph.ca.gov and were due no later than Friday, November 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM (PT). ā
11. Can pharmacies apply? Can they apply if they are for profit or community pharmacies?
Only pharmacies that are
nonprofit as defined under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for the grant.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (āPDF), page 4,
Eligibility section)
12. Can for-profit pharmacies collaborate with a CBO to apply?
No. Only pharmacies that are
nonprofit as defined under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for the grant.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (āPDF), page 4,
Eligibility section)
13. Are California State University (CSU) Student Health Centers eligible to apply for the grant if the university is a public, non-profit educational institution and the Student Health Center serves the campus student population? Essentially, can State Universities (e.g., CSU, University of California[UC]) apply for the grant?
The entity must be a nonprofit as defined under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code to be eligible for the grant. UC, CSU, and California Community Colleges may apply as long as they meet the requirements stated in the RFA.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (āPDF), page 4,
Eligibility section)
14. Will CDPH provide social media and outreach materials?
CDPH has a
Mpox Campaign Toolkit for Local Health Jurisdiction and Community-Based Organizations that can be used free of charge. It includes social media and outreach materials.
15. We are currently an approved JYNNEOS provider from the previous MPOX grant through the County. We are a CBO. Are we eligible to apply for this grant? If yes, how do we access the vaccines?
Being a recipient of another mpox grant (including grants through your county) does not exclude you from applying if you meet the eligibility criteria as noted in the
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (PDF) (page 4,
Eligibility section).
16. When is the award granted? At the beginning of the term in January or at the end of June?
The grant will start on or around January 1, 2024 and can cover vaccine outreach/education efforts and uncompensated vaccine and testing administration expenses incurred between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024.ā Invoice payments will be mailed to awardees approximately 45 to 60 days after the required information is submitted and verified.
17. If a CBO does not have a CAIR Org Code can they still apply?
Yes. The CBO must onboard and have a valid CAIR Org Code (i.e., unique Immunization Information System [IIS] ID) verifiable in CAIR
within 15 days of awardee letter, and prior to payment from the state. For CBOs needing to onboard to CAIR please see
California Immunization Registry Information Website.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (āPDF), page 4,
Eligibility section)
18. Is there a set number of tests and/or vaccinations that are required for deliverables?
No, there is no set number of tests and/or vaccinations that are required for deliverables.
19. For CBOs who are awarded, how quickly will health centers be able to receive the vaccines through their local health department, given the January 1 start date? Is there a timeline in mind, particularly for more remote counties in the north of the state?
CDPH STD Control Branch will work with the awarded CBOs and their respective local health departments so they can receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
20. Does CDPH have any more specific information about the
length of time in which grantees would need to submit their budgets after notice of award?
Grantees must submit a complete budget by the
established deadline stated in the Award Letter, which will be around 2 weeks after receipt of Award Letter.ā
21. Will CDPH provide a budget template?
Yes. CDPH will provide a budget template with the Award Letter packet.
22. If an organizationās 3-year anniversary falls on the proposed grant start date of January 1, 2024, does this qualify for the RFAāās ābe in existence for a minimum of 3 yearsā eligibility requirement?
Yes. As long as the organization reaches the minimum 3 years by the anticipated start date of January 1, 2024, this would qualify, provided all other requirements detailed in the Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines are met.
(see
Mpox CBO Grant Guidelines (āPDF)ā, page 4,
Eligibility section)āā