Issued by:
Public Health Advocates
All Children Thrive-California
RFA Release Date: October 31, 2025
Application Deadline: November 30, 2025
Funding Term: January 1, 2026 – December 15, 2026

I. BACKGROUND

Public Health Advocates, through its All Children Thrive-California Program, announces a new funding opportunity to support two federally recognized Tribal Nations in California in their childhood trauma prevention efforts.

All Children Thrive – California (ACT) is a statewide, community-driven program that helps local communities pass public policies and create systems change to reduce and prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).  This grant is not to fund programmatic direct services, but for policy adoption and to create systems change. The program currently works with 14 nonprofit organizations and public officials on issues such as:

• Promoting Healthy Child Development
• Creating Protective Environments
• Youth Development and Civic Engagement
• Strengthening Economic Supports for Children and Families
• Access to Safe and Stable Housing

We acknowledge each tribal nation’s unique sovereign governance, cultural practices, and historical experiences. We are committed to providing flexible, equitable, and culturally appropriate resources to strengthen tribal capacity to impact policy and system change related to childhood trauma prevention and health disparities.

II. PURPOSE OF FUNDING:

This RFA seeks to fund two California Tribal Nations to design and implement culturally grounded, community-driven childhood trauma prevention strategies grounded in policy and systems change.

The deliverable for this grant is for the grantee to support their tribal community in choosing a policy goal for childhood trauma prevention through consultation, data gathering, and leadership engagement. Outcomes will be that policy adoption can occur in subsequent years.  In support of this deliverable ACT provides:

• Financial support – up to $100,000 over one year
• Technical assistance for capacity building
• Ongoing support in understanding data as a tool for policy development and change, designing strategies for policy campaigns, communications, and sustainability planning

The table below lists some examples of eligible and non-eligible policy activities. For more information, please refer to Reimaging Child Wellbeing here.

ELIGIBLE	NON-ELIGIBLE
Community-led policy to earmark funds to create protective environments for children. With a source of funding identified through the policy.	Community members are involved in community cleanup events.
Community-led policy to earmark funding for youth development and services.	Running your after-school program.
The community-led policy establishes a youth council that comprises the decision-making body and makes recommendations on youth development activities.	The community establishes a mural to promote youth development and services.

III. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

• Be a federally recognized Tribal Nation located in California.
• Have a demonstrated capacity to fiscally manage grants of this size and comply with administrative regulations
• Be committed to engaging tribal members in program design and implementation

IV. FUNDING AVAILABILITY

As many as two project proposals will receive up to $100,000 each to support eligible activities and allowable expenditures for up to a one-year participation in ACT.  These funds are a one-time allocation to support ACT activities in 2026. Applicants are to remain cognizant that the use of ACT appropriations from the California General Fund and the activities proposed in response to this RFA must be consistent with the authority provided under SB115.  Funding is contingent upon available revenues and appropriations by the Legislature and the California Department of Public Health.

• Fund two Tribal Nations
• Amount: Up to $100,000 per year per grantee
• Term: Up to 12 months, contingent on performance and availability of funds
• Payment Type: Cost-reimbursement basis with monthly invoicing

Cost Reimbursement refers to a funding or contracting method in which an organization is reimbursed for actual, allowable, and reasonable costs it incurs while carrying out approved activities. Rather than receiving a fixed amount upfront, the organization spends its funds first and then submits documentation (e.g., invoices, receipts, payroll records) to the funder for repayment.  Invoices are due monthly, 30 days from end of the month.

• Allowable costs include personnel, fringe benefits, consultants, supplies, meeting costs, local travel, incentives, stipends to offset the cost of volunteerism, training costs, rent, and indirect costs of personnel of up to 15%.

V. INELIGIBLE USE OF FUNDS

Funds may not be used for any of the following:

• Supplanting or duplicating existing programs
• Fundraising activities
• Lobbying or electioneering
• Reimbursements for costs covered by another contract
• Maintenance of professional licensure
• Malpractice insurance
• Religious activities
• Delivery of direct health care services

VI. PROGRAM COMPONENTS AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Each funded Tribe will develop a customized Implementation Plan based on their governance and program structures and capacity aligned with the following components:

A. Data Activities

• Introduction to research training (required)
• ArcGIS training and account setup (required)
• Needs Assessment (required)
• Primary data collection (optional)

B. Communications Activities

• Communications Plan training and development of the plan (required)
• Culturally appropriate educational presentation for tribal members (may include storytelling, talking circles, or other gatherings). (required)
• Educational materials/leave-behind packets (required)
• Learning Community

C. Policy Activities 

• Core and Design Team recruitment and retention (required)
• Coalition building (required)
• Policy trainings and evaluation (required)
• Completing a policy scan and policy selection process (required)

D. Youth Development Activities

• Recruitment and retention of the youth design team (required) *** If feasible, the Project can combine the youth and adult design teams.
• Youth Leaders Forums (three sessions) (required)
• Youth Action Committee (optional

E. Incentives and Stipends that are used to support grant activities

• Non-consumable Incentives (optional)
• Stipends (optional)

F. Evaluation

1. Participate in interviews with the ACT evaluation team, if invited (required)
2. Follow data collection procedures in support of the ACT evaluation (required)
3. Complete ACT evaluation surveys (required)
4. Share raw needs assessment data with the ACT evaluation team (required)
5. Provide the ACT evaluation team with documentation on how the needs assessment data was accessed, cleaned, and analyzed (required)
6. Connect the ACT evaluation team with the appropriate Core/Design Team member(s) to clarify how the needs assessment data was accessed, cleaned, and analyzed, as needed (required)
7. Serve as an ACT evaluation champion by modeling enthusiasm for the ACT evaluation and its value, encouraging Core and Design Team members to value and participate in the ACT evaluation, and providing access to resources so Core and Design Team members are able to complete ACT evaluation surveys online and participate in virtual interviews with the ACT evaluation team, as needed (required)
8. Ensure all Core and Design Team members are aware of ACT evaluation commitments outlined in their membership agreement (required)
9. Follow up with Core and Design Team members to complete ACT evaluation data collection as instructed by the ACT evaluation team (required)

G. Close-out activities

• Final narrative report (required)
• Final expenditure report and audit (required)

VII. STAFFING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Recommended staffing structure includes:

• Project Coordinator/Director (e.g., Tribal Administrator or CFO) at 20% FTE
• Community Engagement Coordinator(s) at 50-100% FTE
• Consultant(s), Cultural Advisors and Tribal Youth Interns (stipends allowable)
• Flexibility is encouraged based on tribal structures and hiring feasibility.

VIII. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Funded projects will receive:

• Ongoing technical assistance from All Children Thrive-California staff
• Access to peer exchanges through Learning Communities
• Access to ArcGIS if applicable and appropriate for your project

IX. APPLICATION COMPONENTS

All applications must include the following:

• Application Form (see attachment)
• Narrative Proposal (max 10 pages):
  • Background and community context
  • Description of proposed strategies and activities
  • Staffing plan
  • Budget justification
• Budget Template (provided)
• Letters of Support from tribal leadership (optional but encouraged)

X. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit completed applications by 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2025. Click here to Submit Application.

XI. TIMELINE

• RFA Release: October 31, 2025
• Applications Due: November 30, 2025
• Awards Announced: December 17, 2025
• Grant Term Start: January 1, 2026
• First Orientation/TA Session: January 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

XII. SCORING PROCESS OVERVIEW

The following outlines the standardized process for evaluating applications submitted under the All Children Thrive (ACT) 3.0 Tribal Nations Request for Application (RFA). This process ensures fairness, transparency, and alignment with ACT’s mission to prevent and mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) while expanding Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs).

1. Eligibility Screening

Applications are first screened for eligibility. Only federally recognized Tribal Nations in California that meet all baseline criteria advance to scoring. Eligibility includes a non-discrimination policy, clean financial audits, demonstrated fiscal experience, readiness to begin within 30 days, and agreement to participate in ACT evaluation activities.

2. Scoring Criteria

Eligible applications are evaluated across eight categories, each rated on a 0–4 scale using the ACT Tribal Nation Scoring Rubric (maximum 32 points).

1. Child Wellbeing Experience – Experience addressing child wellbeing and trauma prevention.
2. Collaboration & Coalition Building – Depth of partnerships and success in collaborative initiatives.
3. Program Monitoring & Data Reporting – Systems, staff capacity, and history of data use.
4. Policy or Systems Change Example – Demonstrated success implementing tribal change projects.
5. Evidence of Priority – Community data or engagement demonstrating project relevance.
6. ACEs Prevalence Evidence – Evidence showing community experiences high ACEs rates.
7. ACEs Reduction Rationale – Strength of logic connecting focus area to ACEs reduction.
8. Fiscal Commitment – Existing or pledged financial commitment to sustain work.

3. Scoring Scale

0 – Insufficient: Missing or not relevant.

1 – Poor: Minimal information; lacks clarity or evidence.

2 – Fair: Addresses the question but lacks depth or examples.

3 – Good: Clear and relevant response with solid examples.

4 – Excellent: Comprehensive, detailed, and well-aligned with ACT’s goals.

4. Scoring & Review Process

• Each reviewer independently scores applications and records narrative comments.
• The review panel convenes to compare and reconcile scores for consistency.
• Final consensus scores are ranked (max 32 points). Top-scoring applications are recommended for funding pending verification.

5. Scoring Interpretation

• 26–32 points: Strong alignment; recommended for funding.
• 18–25 points: Moderate alignment; may be considered if funds remain.
• Below 18 points: Limited readiness; not recommended for award.

XIII. APPEALS PROCESS

If your application is denied you may file a written appeal letter by sending an email between December 17, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to LP@phadvocates.org. The Director of the All Children Thrive, California project, or their designee, will make a decision on the appeal based on the written appeal letter. The decision of the Director of the All Children Thrive, California project, or their designee, shall be the final remedy. Applicants will be notified by e-mail within 14 days of the consideration of the written appeal letter.

CONTACT

For questions or technical assistance, contact:
Lourdes Perez
ACT Director
Email: LP@PHAdvocates.org
Phone: 209-290-3851 ext. 316