$47 Million Grant Program Launched to Support Data Exchange Needs of Health and Social Services Organizations Serving Under-Resourced, Historically Marginalized, and Underserved Communities

With a January 31, 2024 deadline approaching for many entities to begin securely exchanging health information under the Data Exchange Framework (DxF), the California Health & Human Services Agency’s (CalHHS) Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) is now accepting applications for the first of at least three rounds of Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) Signatory Grants.
California entities that have signed the DSA can apply to receive direct support for DxF implementation, with financial assistance ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, or more via enhanced funding to entities serving underserved communities.

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Health & Human Services Data Exchange Framework surpassed another key milestone in transforming California healthcare with the launch of the $47 million DSA Signatory Grants Program. The program provides health and social services entities that have signed the DSA (Signatories) with resources to address critical operational, technical, and technological barriers to DxF implementation. Entities that have signed the DSA and can demonstrate that additional support and capabilities are needed to meet their DSA requirements are eligible to apply.

“The launch of this Grant Program is another important step in our continued, successful implementation of California’s Data Exchange Framework,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency. “A healthy California for all is only made possible if the health and social services entities that have signed the data sharing agreement properly implement the Data Exchange Framework. These grants provide significant subsidies to aid our Signatories, which in turn helps make sure every Californian, no matter where they live, can receive the benefits of the framework and a connected California.”

The available grants prioritize investments in Signatories operating in under-resourced geographies and/or serving historically marginalized populations and underserved communities. These areas and populations are often the most impacted by siloed records and discontinuous care, healthcare barriers the DxF seeks to resolve. Enhanced funding maximums are available for Signatories that meet certain criteria to help mitigate inequities. This additional assistance helps ensure that Signatories, regardless of size or location, have the resources they need for smooth implementation of the DxF. The DSA Signatory Grants Program demonstrates CalHHS’ continued commitment to advancing health equity and improving whole-person care across the state.

To support the range of activities that may be needed for Signatories to achieve the DSA requirements and varying capacity for grant application and management, CDII is offering two types of DSA Signatory Grants:

  • Technical Assistance (TA Grant): This is a flexible, “build-your-own-solution” pathway. DSA Signatories identify a range of technical and operational activities
    and manage the entire process of applying for and managing funds directly. This grant gives Signatories as much agency as possible over the grant money.
  • Qualified Health Information Organization (QHIO) Onboarding Grant: This is an “assisted” pathway in which Signatories receive support to onboard to a CDII Qualified HIO that will act as an exchange Intermediary, enabling the Signatory to fulfill their DSA requirements. CDII’s contracted partner, the California Association of Health Information Exchanges (CAHIE), will support applicants with the submission of a grant request application. CDII’s fiscal intermediary, Public Consulting Group (PCG), will manage the flow of funds directly to the applicant’s selected QHIO. This grant provides Signatories application support and guidance for DxF implementation.

Funding maximums are the same for both grant domains available under the DSA Signatory Grant Program. Grant Applicants may request up to:

  • $50,000 for General Acute Care Hospitals, Acute Psychiatric Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • $35,000 for Physician Organizations and Medical Groups
  • $25,000 for Health Insurance Plans
  • $15,000 for Clinical Laboratories

Enhanced funding maximums are available for Signatories that meet certain criteria to help mitigate inequities. More information on eligibility criteria, uses of funding and required grant outcomes, funding maximums, the application process, resources available to applicants, scoring criteria & award decisions can be found in the DSA Signatory Grants Guidance Document.

There will be at least three rounds of grants in 2023 with the first round application window to close on June 16th, 2023. To expedite funding to mandatory Signatories, the first two rounds of grants will be “short rounds” for the six types of Signatory organizations that were identified as required to execute the DSA by January 31, 2023. First awards are anticipated to be announced in August. The second round of grants will be open in late June, with the award announcements anticipated in September. The third round will be open in July, where it is anticipated that applicants will have three months to apply in this round. Additional rounds may be added on as needed and will be announced at a later date, as necessary.

The DSA Signatory Grants are part of the $50 million DxF Grant Program that also includes the DxF Educational Initiative Grants, which provide funding to nonprofit associations to educate and train Signatories on their DSA responsibilities. Signatories are encouraged to reach out to any of the Educational Initiative Grantees for additional and Signatory-specific assistance in understanding and meeting their DxF obligations. The full list of Educational Initiative Grants recipients can be found in the DxF FAQ .

The DxF advances health equity for all Californians by facilitating the secure and appropriate exchange of health and social services information. Filling gaps of understanding about the social determinants of health enables California health and social services providers to address health inequities and disparities, especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities. By creating new connections and efficiencies between health and social services entities, the DxF will modernize the patient experience and improve outcomes by ensuring that providers can access the information they need to provide safe, effective, whole-person care.

The DxF DSA is a signed agreement and shared commitment between hospitals, physician organizations and medical groups, skilled nursing facilities, health plans and disability insurers, clinical laboratories, acute psychiatric hospitals, and other voluntary Signatories to securely and appropriately share information. The DxF ensures that health and social services providers will have timely access to the information needed to safely and effectively treat all Californians.

To learn more about the DSA Signatory Grants Program, visit the DSA Signatory Grants Applicant Guidance Document.

To learn more about how the Data Exchange Framework can help improve healthcare for all Californians, visit CDII DxF Website to download materials, join a live webinar, and sign up for updates.