Project Grant H79SM087692

This $800,000 Project Grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.243) program aims to develop a coordinated, comprehensive system serving children birth to age 8 with social/emotional/behavioral challenges in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, Pennsylvania.

The grant funding will be used to screen 1,000 children annually (5,000 over the 5-year grant period) to identify those at-risk, and provide comprehensive service planning for 200 families per year (1,000 total) including a 10% increase in the number of Black and Hispanic families served annually. The project will also provide training and education for 100 families per year (500 total), training for 75 service providers annually (375 total), establish linkages between primary health and young child serving systems, deliver evidence-based behavioral interventions to 50 children per year (250 total), and expand the use of mental health consultation in child care and early learning centers. Additionally, a Young Child Wellness Council will be established to improve collaboration across child and family-serving systems.