Project Grant H79SM091639

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the University of Missouri System $500,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to implement the Central Missouri Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Continuum.

The University of Missouri Center for Child Well-Being will expand access to evidence-based infant and early childhood mental health services across eight central Missouri counties: Boone, Audrain, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Randolph. The continuum will strengthen the regional workforce, implement universal developmental and social-emotional screening, provide infant and early childhood mental health consultation, and expand access to evidence-based prevention, intervention, and treatment services for infants and young children with or at risk for developmental, social-emotional, behavioral, trauma-related, or mental health conditions, including serious emotional disturbance. Priority populations include children experiencing adverse childhood experiences, developmental delays, attachment disruptions, and those with caregiver mental health concerns or limited behavioral health access.

The project will serve 3,073 unduplicated individuals—infants, young children, caregivers, and early childhood professionals—over the performance period, with annual enrollment scaling from 190 participants in year one to approximately 720 annually in years two through five. Services target children from birth through age five, with availability for children through age twelve when clinically appropriate.

The period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031. Work is performed in Columbia, Missouri.