ORANGE, Calif. (August 28, 2026) — CalOptima Health has designed a first-of-its-kind City Health Improvement Grant program to fund projects that improve health, wellness and quality of life for its members. Recently approved by the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, the program will award
$5.2 million in funding for community-based projects across Orange County’s 34 incorporated cities.
In service of CalOptima Health’s mission to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each member, the grants will fund projects that deliver measurable improvements in members’ health and well-being. Eligible projects will strengthen community infrastructure, expand access to preventive health care, improve food and mental health supports, and reduce environmental health risks — ensuring that members across the county can benefit from these investments regardless of where they live.
“We want to give cities across Orange County the resources and opportunity to be active partners in improving the health of our members,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors and Supervisor of Orange County’s Second District. “This program supports a wide range of initiatives that can promote health and well-being, from park shade structures and improved recreational spaces to healthy food access, physical activity and other efforts that address community health needs. By working together, we can expand our reach and create healthier communities throughout Orange County.”
The City Health Improvement Grant Program is designed to achieve the following goals across Orange County:
- Encourage physical activity, safe public spaces and community engagement
- Increase opportunities for early detection of chronic diseases
- Improve access to healthy food and mental wellness support
- Improve environmental conditions and reduce related health risks
The permissible improvements eligible for grant funding are in four categories: Community Wellness Infrastructure, Preventive Health Access, Food and Mental Health Supports, and Environmental and Climate Health.
“Health is shaped by much more than what happens in a doctor’s office,” said Yunkyung Kim, Chief Operating Officer of CalOptima Health. “The places where people live, work and gather have a significant impact on their well-being. Through this program, we are making upstream investments in cities to strengthen the conditions that support good health — creating safer, healthier environments and expanding community resources that help Medi-Cal members thrive.”
Cities must submit a Letter of Interest by August 31 and then submit a proposal by October 30, 2026. Funding allocations will be based on both the number of CalOptima Health Medi-Cal members living within each city and the percentage of members in that city’s overall population. The initiative is funded through previously allocated intergovernmental funds.
Learn more at www.caloptima.org/en/community-impact/calaim/igt-city-health-nofo.