Project LAUNCH: Early Findings from the Cross-Site Evaluation for Cohort 1

Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health) is a SAMHSA-funded initiative that began in 2008 to improve the health and well-being of children 0 - 8 years old through the implementation or enhancement of evidence-based practices that are focused in five areas (developmental screenings; mental health consultations; integration of mental health into primary care; parent support and training; and home visitation). Two cohorts of grantees (6 in Cohort 1, 12 in Cohort 2) have been funded for five years. The cross-site evaluation (CSE) of Project LAUNCH tracks information about systems changes at the state/Tribal and community levels and services outcomes for the five areas at the community level.

System and services outcome findings of the first year of the CSE for the six grantees funded in the first cohort (Arizona, Maine, New Mexico, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Rhode Island, Washington) will be presented. Findings include: The state and community context and prior history of collaboration at the state and community levels have facilitated and posed barriers to the establishment of Child Wellness Councils. The collaborative number of partners at the state/Tribal level has ranged from 8 to 40; multiple sectors and systems are participating as partners. The total number of children receiving developmental assessments ranged from 8 to 166 in the six-month start-up period. Most grantees reported increased awareness of child wellness, increased service capacity, expanded partnerships for conducting screening and assessment among child-serving agencies in local communities, and increased referrals among agencies.