Indigenous – Project LAUNCH
Indigenous Project Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health (Project I-LAUNCH) in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and U.S. territories and Pacific jurisdictions. This program is funded through Cooperative Agreements and is authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act (PDF | 966 KB), as amended. The purpose of this program is to promote the wellness of young children from birth to 8 years of age within tribes, territories, and Pacific Island jurisdictions by addressing the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of their development. The aim of Project I-LAUNCH is for children to thrive in safe, supportive environments and enter school ready to learn and succeed.
Project Goals
- Foster culturally responsive models to support and promote mental health and wellness and reduce the impacts of trauma, including historical trauma and adversity, on AI/AN and U.S. Territories and Pacific Island communities through a multigenerational and public health approach
- Improve outcomes at the individual, family, and community levels by creating strategies to reduce risk factors that can lead to negative outcomes
- Build on protective factors that support resilience, wellness, and healthy development of children and can prevent later social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral problems, including early substance use
- Serve as a catalyst for systemic change and to strengthen and enhance the partnership between health and mental health organizations and departments that are part of the Tribal and Territorial infrastructure
Project I-LAUNCH Strategies
- Combine infrastructure development and culturally informed direct services
- Develop and build capacity for workforce
- Foster systems integration efforts, including development of shared data systems, protocols and policies that improve coordination of care
- Provide public education and awareness efforts
- Strengthen family and community activities
- Integrate behavioral health into primary care
- Screen and assess youth and caregivers
- Provide mental health consultation in early care and education settings
- Enhance home visiting through increased focus on social and emotional wellbeing
- Establish participatory approach with families and community partners through advisory councils
Successes of I-LAUNCH 2018-2021
- Trained 5,943 members of the mental health workforce
- 3,037 young children and caregivers screened for mental health or related interventions
- 1,688 young children and caregivers referred for mental health and related services
- 5,270 young children and caregivers provided evidence-based mental health and related services
Current and Prior Grantees
Program Staff
Brooke Sims, M.S., Public Health Advisor
Nancy Kelly, M.S. Ed., Branch Chief, Mental Health Promotion
Captain Maryann Robinson as Acting Division Director