Request for Applications (RFA) No. 22-10150

Funding for Project Cornerstone demonstration projects was established in California Health and Safety Code (HSC) 121295 and will support the development of four three-year public health demonstration projects. Selected applicants will be awarded through a competitive award process to provide innovative, evidence-informed approaches to improve the health and well being of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), fifty years of age and older (PLWH50+). Projects will address the increasing complex needs of this expanding population through the integration of clinical and non-clinical care required as PLWH age, as well as coordination of stigma-free, trauma informed, culturally/linguistically competent services for PLWH50+.

Priority populations include PLWH50+ who are Black/African American (AA), Latinx, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. These populations are the primary focus of this RFA. However, projects must aim to serve all PLWH50+ while also demonstrating how services will be tailored to meet the unique needs of at least one of the communities who are disproportionately affected by HIV. As indicated by HIV surveillance data, the populations most vulnerable to HIV are Black/AA and Latinx populations and their intersecting identities which may include gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender men, transgender women, cisgender women, and/or people who inject drugs. California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS (CDPH/OA) will consider other populations for which local and/or national data indicates a disproportionate impact by populations as data indicates that they are disproportionately affected by HIV).

Programs shall be responsive to the unique needs of PLWH50+ in the applicant's specific geographic area, for both long-term survivors of the epidemic as well as the newly-diagnosed. Comprehensive care requires more than clinical services and medication. Social support and attention to the social determinants of health (housing, food, mobility, etc.), and acknowledging the root causes that contribute to these, such as poverty, unequal access to health care, limited education and employment opportunities, stigma, systemic racism and homophobia are critical in efforts to promote and achieve racial and health equity. Applicants must be prepared to address the complex, multilevel social, structural, and geographic barriers that affect PLWH50+. Services may be co-located or coordinated across different locations, including through referrals and/or community partnerships with other entities; Applicants are encouraged to collaborate or partner with existing programs in their region.

OA has determined any entity in any county shall be eligible to apply to operate a demonstration project who can:

1. Demonstrate experience and expertise in providing culturally appropriate services to the most vulnerable and underserved older people living with HIV, including, but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and

2. Demonstrate the capacity to ensure that the multidisciplinary clinical and non-clinical needs of older people living with HIV are assessed and addressed.
   

Applications will be evaluated based on several components including, but not limited to, need in the geographic area, populations served, applicant/entity competency, and program design.

OA looks forward to receiving applications from all eligible entities to support implementation of services to improve health outcomes and the quality of life for older adults living with HIV in California.

Access the Project Cornerstone RFA (PDF)

Please Note the Following Important Dates:

• Project Cornerstone Community Zoom Webinar will be held on March 15, 2022 from 1:00 P.M to 2:30 P.M. PST. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6366480220?pwd=ODBOVFpoa2d1RFdUQWJiM0wrM21SZz09 Meeting ID: 636 648 0220, Passcode: 123456
• Questions about the Project Cornerstone RFA must be submitted in writing by email to  ProjectCornerstone@cdph.ca.gov by March 17, 2022 by 5:00 P.M. PST.
•  Questions and responses will be posted on this webpage by March 21, 2022 by 5:00 P.M. PST.
• Mandatory electronic Letter of Intent (LOI) is due on March 23, 2022 by 12:00 Noon PST. RFA attachments will be sent to those who submit LOI.
• Electronic application submission is due on April 22, 2022 by 5:00 P.M. PST.
• Please see the RFA for LOI and application submission information.
  

If you have any questions about the information in this letter, please send an e-mail to ProjectCornerstone@cdph.ca.gov.