Proposition 47 was a voter-approved initiative on the November 2014 ballot that reduced from felonies to misdemeanors specified low-level drug and property crimes. Each year, the state savings generated by the implementation of Proposition 47 are deposited into the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund. Sixty-five percent of these savings are set aside annually for the BSCC to administer a competitive grant program.

Proposition 47 requires that these funds be awarded to public agencies to provide mental health services, substance use disorder treatment and/or diversion programs for those in the criminal justice system. Additional legislation (AB 1056, Chap. 438, Stats. of 2015) requires that the grants be awarded competitively, specifies that funds may serve both adults and juveniles and allows funds to be used for housing-related assistance and other community-based supportive services, including job skills training, case management or civil legal services. The BSCC further requires that at least 50 percent of the award made to grantees is passed through to community-based service providers.


Cohort 5 Request for Proposals Process – In Progress

In April 2025, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) released the Proposition 47 Cohort 5 RFP to California Public Agencies, as defined in the Request for Proposals (RFP). This initiative allocates $127 million for mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs for individuals within the criminal justice system. Successful applicants will enter into an agreement with the BSCC from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. This timeframe includes three years for service delivery, an additional three months for start-up and implementation, and six months for evaluations and close-out. The application period closed on June 23, 2025.

 

Prop 47 Cohort 5 RFP and Attachments for Reference

 

Prop 47 Cohort 5 Key Dates

Activity Date
Application Period Closed June 23, 2025
Proposal Rating Process & Development of Funding Recommendations June - August 2025
BSCC Board Considers Funding Recommendations September 11, 2025
Notice to Grantees September 12, 2025
Grant Period Begins October 1, 2025
Mandatory New Grantee Orientation November 2025 (TBD)
Grant Service Period Ends December 31, 2028
Final Evaluation Report and Program Audit Due June 30, 2029
 

Prop 47 Cohort 5 Grant Information Session

On May 7, 2025 prospective applicants reviewed proposal submission instructions, funding information, eligible grant activities, and the rating process. The recorded session and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are posted below.

Board Agenda Items Related to Prop 47 Cohort 4 RFP

April 10, 2025 BSCC Board Meeting (Release of RFP and Convene Scoring Panel – Approval)

Cohort 4 Grants

Grant Cycle: October 3, 2024 to June 30, 2028

In preparation for this Request for Proposals (RFP), the BSCC released a survey to the field asking respondents to rank the needs in their communities as related to Proposition 47, describe how funds should be prioritized across the required program areas and supplemental support service areas, and provide suggestions for improving or changing grant requirements. Survey results indicated the Cohort 3 RFP developed by the Prop 47 ESC continues to align with the needs and priorities of California’s communities, but also identified a greater need for residential treatment options. The Cohort 4 RFP mirrored Cohort 3 with increased funding thresholds to meet identified needs.

Prop 47 Cohort 4 Project Summaries

Cohort 3 Grants

Grant Cycle: September 1, 2022 to June 1, 2026

On February 10, 2022, the Board approved the release of the Proposition 47 Request for Proposals with a proposal due date of May 2, 2022. The RFP made $143,436,700 available competitively to public agencies located in the State of California. Twenty large scope and four small scope proposals totaling $124,907,667 were funded for programs and initiatives that provide mental health services, substance-use disorder treatment, and/or diversion programs for people in the criminal justice system.

Prop 47 Cohort 3 Project Summaries


Reports

Prop 47 Programs with Strategies to Engage Hispanic and Latino Participants

A qualitative analysis from focus-group interviews of lead agency and partner organization staff and participants of three Proposition 47 grantees who had high rates of engaging Hispanic and Latino participants in mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs provides insights and recommendations for engaging Hispanic and Latino participants in these programs. Full report linked below.

Improving Outreach to Underserved Communities in the Proposition 47 Grant Program: Engaging Hispanic and Latino Participants

Underserved Communities Summary

Prop 47 Evaluation Shows Recidivism Cut by More than Half for Low-Level Offenders

A comprehensive evaluation of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant program suggests participants who received services made available by the 2014 voter-approved initiative are substantially less likely to recidivate compared to those traditionally incarcerated in California. Full report linked below.

Proposition 47 Cohort II Statewide Evaluation Report

Prop 47 Cohort 4 Survey to the Field - November 2023

In November 2023 the BSCC reached out to the field to complete a survey to collect much-needed feedback about how the BSCC could increase interest for Cohort 4 Prop 47 grant funding and to highlight the flexibility this grant allows in funding substance use treatment, mental health services, and diversion programs and in developing new partnerships to address the varied needs of your communities. The survey collected information from public and community-based organizations about their awareness of the grant, its purpose, and their and their ability/eligibility to apply for or receive funds as a subcontractor.

Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act Survey - For Reference Only


Contact Prop 47 Grant Team

The BSCC has developed a Proposition 47 inbox to respond to any questions and to accept public comments. The email address for the inbox is Prop47@bscc.ca.gov new email. BSCC staff requests that all communication be submitted in writing at this time.


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Cohort 1 Grants

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