Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Office Hours
Thursday, October 8, 2026
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
AAPCA1 is inviting you to participate in the DHCS Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Office Hours on Thursday, October 8 from 12:30PM – 01:30PM!
The California Department of Health Care Services has recently released a new grant opportunity offering funding and technical assistance to primary care providers interested in implementing Dyadic care for families and children 0-5 years of age. Medi-Cal health care systems receiving this grant would be given up to $700,000 over two years and receive technical assistance and training to offer parents/caregivers enriched preventive care and support for children and caregivers during well child visits.
AAP California Chapter 1 is interested in supporting pediatric providers about this grant and providing information about pursuing this grant because of its evidence showing positive outcomes. Previous examinations of these outcomes have shown:
- Enhanced access to mental health support and services for caregivers and children
- Enhanced compliance with well-child visits for 0-5 year old children
- Increased billing for needed care, including billing for the parental/caregiver visit regardless of immigration status
The deadline for application to the program is October 26, 2026. If primary care clinics are accepted to the program, trainings on coordination of care, enhancing child social-emotional health and safety, developmental screening, billing pathways, EHR templates and quality improvement are all included in the funding from DHCS. Systems of care that choose to apply must have a provider service location—or up to two service locations within the same health organization working in partnership—serving at least 500 Medi-Cal children ages 0–5, and must have the active support of their health center’s leadership to pursue this opportunity.
For further information, consider:
- Reaching out to your local FQHC or RHC health system for support regarding the grant.
- Reviewing the Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Strategy Document
- Reviewing the Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Program
Meet Our Speakers
Diane Dooley, MD, FAAP
Diane Dooley MD, FAAP partners with AAP pediatricians to advance improved access and quality of behavioral health care for California’s children and youth. She retired from clinical practice after working at Contra Costa Health Services for 39 years.
Lisa Leavitt, MD, FAAP
Dr. Leavitt is a pediatrician at Marin Community Clinics in San Rafael. She is originally from San Jose and attended Santa Clara University for her undergraduate degree followed by UCSF for medical school and residency. Her interests are youth mental health, First 5 and early education, and local advocacy for affordable housing and renter protections. Lisa and her husband live in Marin and have 2 adult sons.