Grants to Support California’s Data Exchange Framework Onboarding

The California Health & Human Services Data Exchange Framework (DxF) has launched a $47 million grant program to provide technical assistance to help organizations that have signed the state’s data sharing agreement (DSA) meet the requirements.

In February 2023, the state announced that more than 1,400 organizations have signed California's data-sharing agreement by the Jan. 31 deadline. Most California health entities are required by law to sign the DSA effective immediately.

The DxF is the first-ever statewide data-sharing agreement of its kind in California. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services (CalHHS) says it is key to achieving the state’s plans for transforming healthcare, expanding coverage, and improving connections between healthcare and social services.

The program provides health and social services entities that have signed the DSA with resources to address 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 for financial assistance ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, or more via enhanced funding to entities serving underserved communities.

“The launch of this Grant Program is another important step in our continued, successful implementation of California’s Data Exchange Framework,” said Mark Ghaly, M.D., secretary of CalHHS, in a statement. “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.

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, CalHHS’ Center for Data Insights and Innovation 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