OpportunityTitle: Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children&#146;s Health
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants are State and Territorial governments and federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes and Tribal organizations.  Tribal organization means the recognized body of any AI/AN Tribe; any legally established organization of American Indians/Alaska Natives which is controlled, sanctioned or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in all phases of its activities.  Consortia of Tribal organizations are eligible to apply, but each participating entity must indicate its approval.    Eligibility is limited to the State or Territorial office in charge of administering the Title V (Maternal and Child Health) program because only these offices have the capacity to assist Project LAUNCH in producing State and Territorial structures that will coordinate local efforts to integrate behavioral health into young child serving programs.  Tribal applicants should choose the appropriate agency to administer this program, providing justification based on the ability of that agency to coordinate between services systems.    Eligibility is restricted to entities that have not received a prior Project LAUNCH cooperative agreement.
Description: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 for Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children&#146;s Health (Project LAUNCH). The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to 8 years of age. Project LAUNCH defines wellness as optimal functioning across all developmental domains, including physical, social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral health. For this program behavioral health includes mental health and positive development free from substance abuse and other negative behavior. 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. Project 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 wellness. 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 promotes protective factors that support resilience and healthy development which can protect individuals from later social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral problems. Project LAUNCH will award cooperative agreements to States, Territories and Tribes, each of which will select a locality within the larger jurisdiction to be a partner in Project LAUNCH. States/Territories/Tribes will bring together child-serving systems to develop a vision and a comprehensive strategic plan for promoting the wellness of all young children, and will develop policies, financial mechanisms and other reforms to improve the integration and efficiency of the child-serving system. State/Territories/Tribes will identify and work closely with a locality that will engage in infrastructure reform, and will use Project LAUNCH funds to enhance and expand the delivery of services and practices that promote the wellness of young children and their families. The development of a comprehensive plan and coordinated system to promote young child wellness at the local level will serve as a model throughout the State/Territory/Tribe to be replicated in other jurisdictions. Project LAUNCH cooperative agreements are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb&#150;32). This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus area 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders).
GrantorContactEmailDescription: gwendolyn.simpson@samhsa.hhs.gov
GrantorContactText: Gwendolyn Simpson &lt;br/&gt;Office of Program Services, Division of Grants Management      &lt;br/&gt;Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration &lt;br/&gt;1 Choke Cherry Road &lt;br/&gt;Room 7-1085 &lt;br/&gt;Rockville, Maryland 20857 &lt;br/&gt;(240) 276-1408