Office of Policy and Planning

Community-Defined Evidence Practices

Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs) are effective strategies for addressing historical behavioral health disparities. These practices offer culturally anchored activities that reflect the values, histories, and lived experiences of community, rooted in the organizations that serve them and found to yield positive results. CDEPs are developed through community consensus over time and align with BHSA Population-Based Prevention goals that emphasize racial equity, population-level approaches, and the promotion of culturally grounded prevention. This page provides information and resources related to CDEPs, including program requirements, guidance from the CDEP Resource Guide, and key elements such as eligibility, required strategies, cultural responsiveness, and community-led development.

CDEP Resource Guide

The CDEP Resource Guide outlines effective strategies for addressing behavioral health disparities and supports applicants in understanding the components, requirements, and foundations of Community-Defined Evidence Practices. The guide is intended to help organizations align their prevention strategies with BHSA population-based prevention goals and expectations.

For more information on CDEPs guides below:

California Department of Public Health Population-Based Prevention Strategy Resource Guide: Community-Defined Evidence Practices in Social and Behavioral Health (PDF)

If you are having difficulty accessing the CDPH CDEP Resource Guide, please contact CDPH at

BHSAinfo@cdph.ca.gov to request this information in an alternate format.

DHCS Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Resource Guide (PDF)

Request for Applications (RFA)

The California Department of Public Health, in partnership with California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) is pleased to announce that the Request for Applications (RFA) is officially NOW LIVE for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)-funded Community-Driven Behavioral Health Initiative (CDBHI).

As the Third-Party Administrator and Technical Assistance Provider for this project, CIBHS is overseeing $30 million in competitive grant funding to support culturally responsive, community-driven behavioral health prevention across California.

This initiative is designed to support culturally rooted, community-driven and community informed behavioral health prevention strategies and solutions. Funded projects will focus on promoting wellness before behavioral health conditions develop and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

Access RFA Materials & Apply

Full RFA guidelines, application instructions, and key technical assistance resources are available on the CIBHS website.

Join the Informational Webinar

Learn more about eligibility, project priorities, technical assistance support, and the submission process during our live session.

Tuesday, October 6, 1:00-3:00pm

Join an upcoming information session on the funding for the Community-Driven Behavioral Health Initiative (CDBHI). CDPH in partnership with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) will provide an overview of the population-based, prevention-focused Community-Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs) funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, application process, key timelines, and available technical assistance for organizations interested in applying.

For questions contact: cdbhi@cibhs.org

Past Engagement Events

CDPH Community-Defined Evidence Based Practices and Evidence Based Practices Program Informational Webinar

June 4, 2026, 1:30 PM– 3:30 PM | Zoom

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