Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 for Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health (Project LAUNCH). The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to 8 years of age, through the implementation of a systematic community planning process. Project LAUNCH defines wellness as optimal functioning across all developmental domains, including physical, social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral health. The goal of Project LAUNCH is to create a shared vision for the wellness of young children that drives the development of Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal and locally-based networks for the coordination of key child-serving systems and the integration of behavioral and physical health services. The expected result is for children to be thriving in safe, supportive environments and entering school ready to learn and able to succeed. For this program, substance abuse prevention is an integral part of behavioral health which includes healthy social and emotional development, positive behaviors among young children, as well as the opportunity to live in families and communities that are safe, stable and free from substance abuse and other negative behaviors. Through coordinated services Project LAUNCH will work in funded communities to:Increase the number of jurisdictions implementing a community planning processEnable coordination across service systems and community organizationsIncrease the number of communities utilizing evidence-based practicesIncrease the number of children receiving evidence-based servicesIncrease the number of children screened for behavioral health issuesIncrease the number of number of individuals referred for behavioral health servicesProject LAUNCH is grounded in the public health approach, working towards coordinated programs that take a comprehensive view of health, addressing the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral aspects of well-being. The public health approach addresses the health needs of the population rather than only addressing the health problems of individuals. Project LAUNCH seeks to improve outcomes at the individual and community levels by addressing risk factors that can lead to negative outcomes. Project LAUNCH simultaneously promotes protective factors that support resilience and healthy development which can protect individuals from later social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral problems, including early substance and alcohol use.Project LAUNCH will award cooperative agreements to bring together stakeholders across the child-serving system to develop a vision and a comprehensive strategic plan for promoting the wellness of all young children. This coordinated network will develop policies, financial mechanisms and other reforms to improve the integration and efficiency of the child-serving system. Local communities will also use Project LAUNCH funds to enhance and expand the delivery of evidence-based programs and practices that promote the wellness of young children and their families and prevent social, emotional and behavioral problems. The development of a coordinated system to promote young child wellness, and the implementation of best practices in prevention and wellness promotion at the local level will serve as a model throughout the State/Territory/Tribe to be replicated in other jurisdictions.SAMHSA has demonstrated that - prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders. Behavioral health services improve health status and reduce health care and other costs to society. Continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services provides a cost effective opportunity to advance and protect the Nation’s health. To continue to improve the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services, SAMHSA has identified ten Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency’s work on people and emerging opportunities. More information on these Initiatives is available at the SAMHSA website: http://www.samhsa.gov/About/strategy.aspx.Applications responsive to this Request for Application must implement evidence-based or best practices that will create or expand capacity to address the following SAMHSA Strategic Initiative:Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness - Create prevention prepared communities where individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities take action to prevent and reduce mental illness and substance abuse across the lifespan.Project LAUNCH cooperative agreements are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–32). This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus areas 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders) and 26 (Substance Abuse).