Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health):
The Project LAUNCH program is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote the wellness of young children from birth through age 8 by addressing their physical and mental health needs. The program’s goal is to help improve the abilities and skills of adult caregivers of young children to encourage healthy social and emotional development and identify and address behavioral concerns before they develop into serious emotional disturbances (SED).
Project LAUNCH Press Release. Link to News-Release-Project LAUNCH.pdf: News-Release-Project-LAUNCH-.pdf (hawaii.gov)
SAMHSA Resources
To learn more about Project LAUNCH and other existing grant programs check out the link below:
Project Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health (Project LAUNCH) | SAMHSA
Project LAUNCH: (long description)
In 2023, Family Health Services Division/Children with Special Health Needs Branch was awarded the Project LAUNCH Grant, a 5-year grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to eight (0-8) years of age. SAMHSA defines wellness as a state of positive physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health. The goal is to build capacities of adults in the lives of young children to promote healthy social emotional development; to prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders; and to identify and address behavioral concerns before they develop into serious emotional disturbances (SED). Project LAUNCH will enable Hawaiʻi to support a coordinated and comprehensive approach to young child wellness.
Hawaiʻi Project LAUNCH will build on existing plans and workgroups to develop an approach that is culturally respectful, and family driven. A Young Child Wellness Council will be convened that will provide oversight and guidance to the project. Project LAUNCH is tasked with developing an implementation plan to improve coordination and collaboration across child and family-serving agencies. Project LAUNCH is focusing on five components:
- screenings of children and their caregivers,
- providing family workshops on child development,
- equipping pediatric providers with behavioral health supports,
- providing mental health consultation to child care providers, and
- establishing a Young Child Wellness Council.
Another focus of the project is on the development of community hubs which will be a safe space for families to connect with programs and services within the community. It is envisioned that these community hubs will be the center from which screenings and referrals can be conducted, family and parenting workshops on resilience and child development can be offered, and information about options for early childhood programs and health services can be shared. The co-location of services will lead to comprehensive wellness and the integration of primary care, mental health, and early childhood to better service the needs of children and families.
For more Information: If you are interested on receiving updates about Project LAUNCH, please contact Keiko Nitta, [email protected].