Open now. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is accepting applications for Elevate Youth California: Youth Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program, Cohort 8 Standard Track. The official DHCS Open Applications page lists a deadline of September 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM PST.
DHCS has announced approximately $44 million for this RFA. Eligible youth-serving community-based and Tribal organizations may apply for up to $1,000,000 over a three-year grant period to expand youth and young-adult substance-use prevention in low-income, under-resourced communities of color. The program focuses on youth leadership, civic engagement, policy, systems and environmental change, and strategies that reduce risk factors while strengthening protective factors.
Eligible applicants: youth-serving community-based organizations and Tribal organizations throughout California that can implement the Elevate Youth California program for the target youth populations and communities described by DHCS.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 69/100. This is a substantial, currently open statewide youth behavioral-health and prevention opportunity with individual awards up to $1 million and more than three weeks remaining. Its primary purpose is community-based substance-use prevention rather than clinical service delivery.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 4/100. The verified scope centers on youth leadership, community engagement and policy/systems/environmental prevention strategies. Atlas does not identify a defensible direct N9+ vendor path from the current DHCS description, so no Dr. Miltie capture Deal or applicant outreach is prioritized for this RFA.
Official source: California DHCS Open Applications. Applicants should review the current online application and any RFA updates before submission.