Project LAUNCH

Project LAUNCH (Learning Alternatives and Understanding the Needs of Children) is a community-based primary prevention, education and support program of the Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect. Through sensitive intervention, Project LAUNCH strives to reduce child maltreatment, increase parent/child bonding, foster increased parental responsibility and self esteem, and enhance family functioning for “at risk” families.

Project LAUNCH began in June 1996 with the development of a collaboration of human services agencies facilitated by CCAN. The collaboration sought to effectively identify and address the needs of at risk families in Nassau County. The effort led to the piloting of Project LAUNCH at the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) site in the Elmont Health Center operated by the Nassau County Department of Health, which is a continuing sponsor of Project LAUNCH.

Families report to WIC sites monthly and receive from Project LAUNCH consistent, reinforced parenting support and education. This advances CCAN’s mission to advocate for prevention, intervention and treatment services and policies for abused and neglected children.

Project LAUNCH:

• Supports you in your role as a parent.


• Makes you feel less alone by listening to and caring about YOU.


• Answers your questions about your child and responds to your concerns as a parent.


• Develops options and solutions for the difficulties that arise for all parents.


• Creates connections with other community members who may be sharing similar experiences.


• Gives you information about your child—what he/she likes at different ages, why he/she does what he/she does, what you can expect as he/she grows, etc.


• Finds answers to the hard parenting issues — temper tantrums, toilet training, sibling rivalry, etc.


• Identifies and accesses other resources within the community that can assist you in meeting the basic needs of caring for yourself and your family.