Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health (Project LAUNCH)

Eligibility for this program is limited to State and Territorial governments (Title V or Mental Health Agency), federally-recognized Tribes and tribal organizations since they have the capacity to bring together child-serving organizations to develop policies, financial mechanisms and other reforms to improve the integration and efficiency of local child-serving systems.

The cross-site evaluation of the 2008 and 2009 cohorts suggests that providing grants to the State/Territorial level enables positive policy and infrastructure improvements that would not occur if the cooperative agreements are provided directly to localities. This analysis also suggests that these cohorts have implemented successful place-based projects, alleviating concerns that providing grants to the State level could negatively impact the implementation of local projects. Tribal applicants should choose the appropriate agency to administer this program, providing justification based on the ability of that agency to coordinate between services systems.

Tribal organization means the recognized body of any AI/AN Tribe; any legally established organization of American Indians/Alaska Natives which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in all phases of its activities. Consortia of federally-recognized Tribes or tribal organizations are eligible to apply, but each participating entity must indicate its approval. Consortia of Tribes are expected to identify a lead applicant.

In an effort to increase the number of federally-recognized Tribes receiving grant funds for this program, five points will be assigned to federally-recognized Tribal applicants, see Evaluation Review Information – Section F. Please see Appendix M of this RFA for additional Tribal guidance.