State Implementation Grants for Improving Services for Children and Youth with ASD

The purpose of this program is to improve access to comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder ASD and other developmental disabilities. Grantees will implement an existing state plan to improve the system of services for children and youth with special health care needs who have ASD and other developmental disabilities as defined by the following components:  partnerships between professionals and families of children and youth with ASD, access to a culturally competent family-centered medical home which coordinates care with pediatric subspecialties and community-based services, access to adequate health insurance and financing of services, early and continuous screening for ASD and other developmental disabilities, community services organized for easy use by families, and transition to adult health care. 

Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) Grantees

The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to 8 years of age.  Project LAUNCH defines wellness as a state of positive physical, emotional, social and behavioral health.  For this program behavioral health includes mental health and positive development free from substance abuse and other negative behaviors.  The goal is to create a shared vision for the wellness of young children that drives the development of Federal, State, Territorial, tribal and locally-based networks for the coordination of key child-serving systems and the integration of behavioral and physical health services. 

The Community Based Doula Program/First Time Motherhood Initiative Grantees

Almost $4.9 million of the grants will be awarded to states to develop public awareness campaigns to aid first-time parents. The remaining grants, worth more than $1.4 million, will support the activities of ‘doulas’ to mentor pregnant women during pregnancy, birth and for at least the first 12 weeks after delivery.

• The First-Time Motherhood/New Parent Initiative funds efforts by 13 states to develop and disseminate marketing tools that promote greater health knowledge and stronger parenting skills among men and women of childbearing age and emphasize a holistic approach to the health of the mother, baby and their family beginning prior to conception and following delivery.

Services promoted through the grants will augment awareness campaigns already implemented by states to promote services for expectant mothers and new parents and encourage a healthy first year of life for their infants.  The target population will be women and men from racial and ethnic minorities who live in communities disproportionately affected by pregnancies with health problems.  Grantees will use the campaigns to heighten awareness of the importance of preparing couples for their new roles as parents and increase their access to available resources, including parenting education programs. Funds also will promote greater knowledge of pregnancy risk factors, ways to reduce risky behaviors, and strategies to reduce health problems during pregnancies and improve reproductive health.

• The Community-Based Doulas Program grants were awarded to seven community organizations to identify and train local community workers to mentor pregnant women.

Doulas provide culturally sensitive pregnancy, breastfeeding and childbirth education and counseling. They also promote links to health care and social services, labor coaching and parenting skills.