The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health Grant Program (Short Title: Project LAUNCH). The purpose of this program is to promote the wellness of young children, from birth to 8 years of age, by addressing the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral aspects of their development. It is expected that this program will provide local communities or tribes the opportunity to disseminate effective and innovative early childhood mental health practices and services, ultimately leading to better outcomes for young children and their families.

The overall goal of Project LAUNCH is to foster the healthy development and wellness of all young children (birth through age 8), preparing them to thrive in school and beyond. Project LAUNCH grants are designed to build the capacities of adult caregivers of young children to promote healthy social and emotional development; to prevent mental, emotional and behavioral disorders; and to identify and address behavioral concerns before they develop into serious emotional disturbances (SED).