CHDI Evaluates Wheeler's Project LAUNCH Project (2016)

Project LAUNCH: Evaluating Promising Starts

CHDI evaluated Wheeler Clinic’s Promising Starts New Britain Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) Initiative from 2010 - 2015.

Promising Starts promoted wellness and enhanced the service delivery system for young children from birth to age 8 in New Britain. It was funded through a five-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) grant.

Project LAUNCH's public health approach focused on promotion, prevention and early intervention through five core strategies:

• Developmental screening and assessment
• Integration of behavioral health into primary care settings
• Mental health consultation in early care and education
• Enhanced home visiting, with an increased focus on social and emotional well-being
• Family strengthening and parent skills training

Staff from CHDI developed and implemented a five-year evaluation plan specific to Promising Starts and worked with Promising Starts staff and Lorentson Consulting to collect, analyze and report on data for the local evaluation and to meet federal data reporting requirements. View the final evaluation report or read the e-book which highlights strategies used by six Project Launch communities (including New Britain).  Contact us to learn more about this work in Connecticut.

For more information on Project LAUNCH visit the national Project LAUNCH website.