SAMHSA Accepting Applications for Project LAUNCH – A New Grant Program Promoting the Mental and Physical Wellness of Young Children

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Date: 4/18/2008
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130

SAMHSA Accepting Applications for Project LAUNCH – A New Grant Program Promoting the Mental and Physical Wellness of Young Children

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is soliciting applications for Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a new grant program designed to promote the physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health of young children, birth to 8 years of age.

A wide range of early childhood service programs can be provided through Project LAUNCH grants including mental health consultation to promote more effective child care and early education programs, parenting skills training and other family support services. States receiving these grants will fund local providers of these services.

“Project LAUNCH will enhance and coordinate key child-serving systems to ensure that children grow and thrive in supportive environments,” said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D. “This new SAMHSA grant program will help to provide young children with a solid foundation early in life that will launch them on the trajectory toward a healthy and productive lifetime.”

SAMHSA is accepting applications for fiscal year 2008 Project LAUNCH grants from state and territorial governments as well as federally recognized American Indian/Alaskan Native Tribes and tribal organizations.

Project LAUNCH grantees will:

• Enhance coordination between state, territorial, or tribal physical and behavioral health programs and service providers using a family-centered, public health approach.
• Improve existing early childhood services using evidence-based practices.
• Provide training and technical assistance to local programs and community networks in order to create a shared understanding of the many facets of healthy child development.
• Improve information sharing and collaboration among agencies and providers that serve young children.
• Review and update relevant state, territorial, tribal, and local policies related to young children’s wellness.
• Develop a cross-agency fiscal strategy for state, territorial, tribal and local infrastructure to promote sustainability and reduce program redundancy.

SAMHSA expects that approximately $5.5 million in funding will be available to award six grants annually for up to five years. The estimated award amounts for grantees will be up to $916,000 a year. Actual award amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds. The cooperative agreement will be awarded by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) in cooperation with the agency’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

SAMHSA’s Project LAUNCH efforts will be done in consultation with other Department of Health and Human Services agencies including the Administration for Children and Families, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those interested in applying for Project LAUNCH grants can download the Request for Application announcement (No. SM-08-011) and application forms at http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2008/sm_08_011.aspx or call SAMHSA’s Information Line at 1-877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1 800-487-4889]. Applicants are encouraged to apply online using www.grants.gov.

Applications must be received by the June 12, 2008 to be considered for review -- hard copy applications are due by 5:00 PM (EST) and electronic applications are due by 11:59 PM (EST). Please carefully review Section IV-3 of the application announcement for revised fiscal year 2008 submission requirements.

Applicants with questions about program issues should contact David deVoursney at (240) 276-1182 or david.devoursney@samhsa.hhs.gov. For questions on grants management issues contact Gwendolyn Simpson at (240) 276-1408 or gwendolyn.simpson@samhsa.hhs.gov.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

Page Last Updated: 4/18/2008