With the release of the California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) fourth and final PATH CITED funding round, $145.5 million were distributed to 153 organizations across all 58 counties in California to further support CalAIM program development.

Awards were given to organizations that provide Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports services including in-person care coordination, case management, housing support, and other vital resources for Medi-Cal members with complex needs. The awards support capacity building, infrastructure expansion, staffing, program operations, IT needs, and improved systems for monitoring performance and data.

To access funds, Round 4 awardees must complete a defined series of onboarding tasks and reporting requirements that ensure projects are successfully managed and completed within the 1-year grant period. To initiate the award and ensure they can receive payment, organizations must complete three administrative steps:

1.  Sign the Terms & Conditions in the GrantsConnect portal
2. Submit banking information
3. Complete a required penny test

Additionally, awardees are responsible for completing quarterly progress reporting starting mid-April. These reports serve as DHCS’s primary mechanism for monitoring milestone completion and ensuring that CITED funds are advancing project goals and CalAIM priorities.

Unlike previous rounds, Round 4 funding is limited to a single year, 2026, for organizations to spend down their awarded CITED funds. Due to the shortened timeline, awardees will need to establish and maintain a comprehensive project plan that clearly outlines the project timeline for planning, implementation, and reporting. Costs incurred in 2026 (as well as retroactive expenses that were identified in an organization’s application) may be submitted for reimbursement and all funds must be fully expended by December 31, 2026. At this time, CITED Round 4 awardees will not be able to make reimbursement requests for activities occurring after December 31, 2026. Together, these requirements highlight the need for early preparation and disciplined project management to maximize the impact of this final round of CITED investment.

Given the accelerated timelines and detailed reporting expectations associated with Round 4, organizations may benefit from additional support to manage their CITED responsibilities effectively. CHS has partnered with providers across previous CITED rounds to help them plan and implement their awards in the following areas:

1. Implementation planning: develop timelines and action plans to spend down CITED funds on schedule, and provide project management support to integrate grant-funded tools, resources, and staffing.
2. Fund reallocation support: assisting organizations in shifting dollars between staffing, technology, training, and other allowable categories, and ensuring each adjustment is clearly justified and aligns with CITED’s approval criteria.
3. Development and submission of Quarterly Progress Reports: compiling all relevant documentation, drafting required responses, and managing follow-up questions, denials, or additional information requests from the CITED team.

With no additional CITED rounds planned, Round 4 serves as the final opportunity for organizations to leverage this funding stream. For providers still seeking guidance and support, the CalAIM Technical Assistance Marketplace (TAM) remains an important resource, specifically for those who have not previously received TAM funding. TAM funding can be accessed by providers to support CITED implementation, ECM or CS contracting, training, workflow development, data and reporting processes, and other areas as needed.

As an established TAM vendor, CHS can assist organizations in navigating CITED award implementation, meeting quarterly reporting requirements, and optimizing their broader CalAIM strategy. Contact COPE Health Solutions to discuss your Round 4 CITED and Technical Assistance Marketplace questions and needs.

If you’re a CITED awardee, contact info@copehealthsolutions.com to learn more today.