The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has announced two grant programs to fund enhancements of the physical and digital security programs of eligible healthcare organizations throughout California. The first grant program, open to healthcare providers that are not part of a large health system or hospital system, allows applicants to request up to $750,000.

To be eligible, healthcare organizations must be located in California and meet the following two criteria:

• be a currently licensed community health center, tribal health program, a non-profit hospital that is not part of a large health system or hospital system; or a non-profit organization whose membership consists of the above licensed facilities; and
• provide abortion-related services (or referrals to abortion-related services) and reproductive health care services.

The second grant program allows applicants to request up to $150,000. It is open to any healthcare organization that is located in California and provides abortion-related services (or referrals to abortion-related services) and reproductive health care services.

Both programs share the same extensive scope of fundable security services, including:

•  Planning. The grant allows funds to be used for security and emergency planning, such as development and enhancement of security plans and protocols, emergency contingency plans, evacuation/shelter-in-place plans, and continuity of operations plans.
• Cybersecurity.  Funds can be used for digital security enhancements and protections, such as retaining consultants, purchasing cloud services, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems as well as website hardening and other similar protective measures.
• Equipment. Funding can be used for the acquisition and installation of physical security equipment that can help prevent and/or protect against the risk of violence or vandalism. Such equipment includes physical protective enhancements to ensure patient privacy (such as covered walkways and entryway canopies), access control systems, surveillance systems, high-intensity lighting and alarms, and alarm systems integrated with data systems to protect patient records in the event of fire, flood, or vandalism.
• Training. Funds can be used for security-related training that addresses the specific threats and/or vulnerabilities identified in the grant application. 

Submission deadline for both programs is June 4, 2024.

If you are an eligible healthcare provider and are considering applying for one of these grants, we can help. COSECURE routinely works with clients to identify and prioritize their security needs and to match these needs with fundable solutions, thereby increasing the chances that the grant application is funded. Reach out to Drew Neckar to discuss how COSECURE can support your organization in applying for these Cal OES funding opportunities.