California State Laws, Policies and Funding
RH terminology used by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS),
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Division (MCBHD),
Community Services Division (CSD)
Sober living facilities
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Sud-Complaints.aspx
Accreditation, Certification, and State Licensing Requirement: Certification required to be listed on the state registry and for a referral to a home.
RH Law(s): AB-1158 (2021) Requires insurance coverage for certain recovery residences/sober living homes.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1158
SB406 (2020) Healthcare omnibus bill that explains the information RR’s certified or licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services need to provide. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB406
SB992 (2018) Requires all Department of Healthcare Services-licensed alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and certified outpatient programs to disclose ownership of, financial interest in, or control over “recovery residences” (RR), as defined, and any contractual relationship with an entity that regularly provides services, as specified, to clients of the licensed or certified program.
RH Legislation: None/unknown
Regulations: None/unknown
SABG Program: The “Planned Priority Areas” documents for your state’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program and Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program do not specifically mention recovery housing as a priority, nor do they list recovery support services as an allowable activity. To learn more about specific recovery housing activities that are eligible for funding through these grant programs, please reach out to your state’s Single State Agency (SSA) that’s responsible for administering these funds by visiting https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/PAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX
SOR Program: Your state’s Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has previously funded recovery activities using State Opioid Response (SOR) funds. To learn more about specific recovery housing activities that are eligible for funding through this grant program, please reach out to your state’s Single State Agency (SSA) that’s responsible for administering these funds by visiting https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/PAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX
Medicaid Funding: Nothing in the state Medicaid plan suggests direct support for RH, however, certain covered activities could evolve to be provided in RH settings include peer support, case management, and counseling.
NARR Affiliate Status: Yes, California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
Housing Assistance Funding: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/
Directory/Registry: https://ccapprecoveryresidences.org/search/#/
California Funders
California Endowment
The California Endowment was established in 1996 when Blue Cross of California purchased WellPoint Health Networks and is currently the state’s largest private health foundation. The Endowment’s mission is to increase access to health care so as to improve the health status of all Californians.
Regions: The California Endowment serves all of California, including both rural and non-rural counties.
Issues Supported: The three main funding areas for the California Endowment are health, human rights, and community and economic development. Areas of interest include empowering young leaders and supporting education, justice systems, and health systems.
Grant Process and Application: Funding opportunities through the Endowment are by invitation only and involve submitting an online application. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters of intent but may be receptive to ideas through meetings with program officers and staff. Find out more about the application process on the Endowment’s website. There are three deadlines per year usually falling in December, May, and September.
Grant-Making Per Year: The Endowment has provided over $2.9 billion to California organizations since its founding. In 2020, the Endowment provided grants in the amount of $159.4 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Friendship House Association of American Indians is a grantee that blends Native American traditional practices and Western practices to treat substance use disorder. Located in San Francisco, California, the Friendship House provides both residential treatment and recovery housing that supports sobriety and provides counseling, education support, and employment guidance. The California Endowment has also supported events for Casa Serena, a recovery center for women that also provides post-treatment sober living. Casa Serena is located in Santa Barbara, in partially rural Santa Barbara County.
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is based in Ukiah, California, and was founded in 1993 by community members in Mendocino County. The Foundation supports projects that strengthen the communities of Mendocino.
Regions: The Foundation serves rural Mendocino County in California.
Issues Supported: Health, human services, and public safety are the top three funding areas receiving the most grant dollars.
Grant Process and Application: The first step in the grant application process is to submit a letter of inquiry. Deadlines vary by program, and you can find more information about the grantmaking process by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In FY 2020, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $3 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Ford Street Project is a grantee located in Ukiah, in the rural county of Mendocino. The organization provides withdrawal management, residential treatment, sober living facilities, and outpatient support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder.
Community Foundation for San Benito County
The Community Foundation for San Benito County is based in Hollister, California, and was established in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen San Benito County’s communities and improve quality of life for its residents.
Regions: The Foundation mainly supports organizations that address the needs of rural San Benito County.
Issues Supported: Grant programs support arts and culture, community development, economic development, education and youth, the environment, and health and social services.
Grant Process and Application: The first step in the grant process is to submit an email application or an Intent to Submit Application. Deadlines are usually in October. Find out more about the grant opportunities and the grant application process by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In FY 2019, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $8.1 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Sun Streets Centers is a grantee based in Salinas, California, in partially rural Monterey County. The organization offers women’s and men’s sober living environments, both of which offer services to help individuals struggling with substance use disorders to maintain sobriety, develop life skills, and gain independence.
The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County
The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County was established in 1998 in San Luis Obispo County, California. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the futures of the communities of San Luis Obispo County.
Regions: The Foundation serves partially rural San Luis Obispo County in California.
Issues Supported: The Foundation funds projects addressing arts and culture, education, health care, and mental health care.
Grant Process and Application: Grant applications vary depending on the grantmaking program. Applicants should submit an initial application including a project proposal and contact information. Find out more information about the grant application process by contacting the Foundation by phone at 805-543-2323 or by email at info@sloccf.org.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $2.2 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Casa Solana is a grantee based in Grover Beach, California, in partially rural San Luis Obispo County. The organization serves women struggling with substance use disorders and provides recovery housing services.
The San Diego Foundation
The San Diego Foundation was established in 1975 by a group of San Diego residents, with initial funding and support from the Gildred Foundation, United Way of San Diego, the Fletcher Foundations, and the City of San Diego. The San Diego Foundation aims to support sustainable philanthropy and to support a high quality of life for individuals in the area of service.
Regions: The Foundation serves San Diego as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and regions in California, including both rural and non-rural counties.
Issues Supported: The top three funding priority areas are human services, health, and education. Specific issue areas include community involvement, arts and culture, education, environment, housing, nutrition, science and technology, and youth development.
Grant Process and Application: Deadlines vary based on the grant program. Find out about open grant opportunities and eligibility by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the San Diego Foundation provided grants in the amount of $52.5 million and in 2020, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $77.8 million. In 2021, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $104.1 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Crossroads Foundation in San Diego, California, is a grantee that supports women recovering from substance use disorder. Crossroads offers a recovery housing program that provides a sober environment, counseling, and support in daily life.
California Opioid Settlement Funds
Total Settlement Funds in California
- $2 billion
Fund Distribution
- 70% will be allocated to the California Abatement Accounts Fund
- 15% will be allocated to local governments
- 15% will be allocated to the state
Timeline
- Funds from three distributors will be paid over 18 years
- Funds from Johnson & Johnson will be paid over 9 years
Application Process
- Not established
Key Contacts
- Attorney General Rob Bonta
- agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
- OpioidSettlement-LocalGovernment@doj.ca.gov
Key Links
- Proposed California State-Subdivision Agreement
- Office of the Attorney General Press Release
How About Your County?
To get a quick overview of the resources available in your county, including gaps that may need to be addressed, visit the Recovery Ecosystem Index Map developed through a partnership between the Fletcher Group Rural Center of Excellence, the NORC Walsh Center at the University of Chicago, and East Tennessee State University.
Need More Info?
A year in the making by a staff of ten, the Fletcher Group’s 82-page Recovery Housing Landscape Report provides an in-depth overview of the most recent laws, policies, and funding affecting recovery housing. You’ll find sections devoted to state laws, SAMHSA funding, Medicaid, corrections, and housing assistance plus numerous links to valuable resources and official documents. To see the complete downloadable report, click the image to the left.
This web page is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $13.7 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources.
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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