Evaluation of linking actions for unmet needs in children's health (LAUNCH) in Massachusetts' pediatric primary care practices: A mixed methods study of integration of early childhood mental health services into a medical home model

Mass LAUNCH, (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health) is an initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, funded by SAMHSA, and implemented by the Boston Public Health Commission. LAUNCH promotes emotional, social, and behavioral health of young children by integrating child mental health into the Medical Home model used by pediatric primary care settings, to improve Massachusetts' early childhood mental health service system for children from birth to age 8. Families with risk factors such as child maltreatment, domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness or parental mental illness are the focus. Findings from an ongoing process evaluation will be presented. Using a mixed methods study design, Mass LAUNCH is being evaluated by the Institute on Urban Health Research, Northeastern University, to investigate integration of child mental health services into the Medical Home model, systems-level changes, and impacts on child, parent, and service utilization outcomes. In the first six months, 455 children ages 0 to 8 from 251 high-risk families were served, and 82% referred to mental health services. Additional services and demographic data will be presented, plus results of focus groups with LAUNCH clinical and family partner staff. Program reach, impact on providers' knowledge and clinical practices, behavioral health and case management services to children and families, and implementation of the Medical Home model will be discussed. Findings indicate that LAUNCH has been reaching its target population, and integration of early childhood mental health services into the Medical Home model is going well.