Project Launch

Arizona

Funded Years : 2008

Project Director :
Sharon Jaycox
Sharon.Jaycox@azdhs.gov

Address :
Phoenix,AZ

Project Status : Active

Project Summary : Arizona Project LAUNCH will promote young child wellness in the South Mountain area of Phoenix by improving access to mental health and wellness services, promoting developmental screenings in many settings, integrating behavioral health into primary care, improving parenting skills, and promoting early childhood social and emotional development.

The South Mountain area of Phoenix has one of the state's highest concentrations of adult and juvenile offenders returning from prison or detention, or on probation. Family and community conditions include incarceration, involvement with Child Protective Services, educational deficits, and economic and family instability –all of which put children at extreme risk.

Arizona's Project LAUNCH goals are:

• To build a solid state infrastructure to implement a comprehensive early childhood system of care for Arizona's young children

• To deliver local family-centered services for Arizona's highest need young children and their families

• To promote positive social and emotional development and mental health for young children and their families

Strategies

Arizona Project LAUNCH is being managed by Bayless Behavioral Health at the local level. The project will implement five evidence-based programs locally: Incredible Years, Parents as Teachers, Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation; and Parenting Wisely. In addition, Project LAUNCH funds will enhance new partnerships between state, city, and county agencies focused on youth development, crime prevention, and positive family outcomes.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes for Arizona Project LAUNCH include development of positive and nurturing parenting; increased positive behaviors/decreased negative behaviors of children at school and at home; prevention of child abuse and neglect; reduction of juvenile delinquency; reduction/prevention of domestic violence; increased access to mental health and wellness programs; and improved allocation of resources for young children among and across state, local, and federal agencies. The Project LAUNCH grant will enable families and children in the area to benefit from additional resources to support early childhood development and address the root causes that lead to juvenile and adult criminal activity and incarceration.

Evidence-Based Programs :
Parenting Wisely
Parents as Teachers
Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities Program
Incredible Years
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation