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The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created a new grant program, Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health). The program is designed to promote the wellness of young children ages birth to 8 years of age by addressing the physical, emotional, social, and behavioral aspects of their development.
Project LAUNCH grantees will implement a range of evidence-based public health strategies to support young child wellness. Participating states and tribes will work to improve coordination among child-serving systems, build infrastructure, and improve methods for providing services. The majority of the funds will be passed from the state and tribal level to an identified locality where the grant will support the enhancement and integration of services in addition to system coordination and development.
Local service enhancement efforts may include mental health consultation for childcare and early education providers, developmental assessments in a range of settings, family strengthening programs, parenting skills training and home visitation.
“These Project LAUNCH grants will enhance and coordinate key child-serving systems in communities across the country,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, DDS, MPH. “By providing young children with supportive and nurturing environments, we can promote healthy development and prevent problems before they occur.”
To model the cooperation it requires from grantees, SAMHSA is working in partnership with other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies to guide the development of the initiative and integrate Project LAUNCH with other federal programs. This partnership includes HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration.
The programs selected for LAUNCH grants will receive approximately $900,000 each year, over the course of the next five years. The actual award amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the progress achieved by the awardees. The program will be administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services.
The following is a list of the 2008 and 2009 grant awardees
2008:
Arizona’s Department of Health Services
State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services
The State of New Mexico Department of Health
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Department of Health
Washington State Department of Health
2009
Oregon Department of Human Services
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Human Services
California Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program
Iowa Department of Public Health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Michigan Department of Community Health
District of Columbia Department of Health
State of Ohio Department of Health
New York State Council on Children and Families
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
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