A Gift to Gemma Helps Children and Families in Our Local Communities!

Expanding Mental Health Awareness in the Philadelphia Area

The LaunchPAD program helps meet the emotional and behavioral health needs of young children up to age eight, their families, and their communities, connecting families to important services. This program provides evidence-based training for adults who work with children and caregivers, as well as a parenting program to support healthy development. To lift up community voice, a Young Child Wellness Council is an integral part of the LaunchPAD program.

reach out

LaunchPAD services are provided in the community. Please contact us with inquiries or questions:

Gemma Services
Preheim Center
6517 Chester Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19142

215.730.2240

Email

This program is available to families and providers in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. Helping to ensure children get the support they need to grow and thrive, program components include:
  • Family Check Up Online: A helpful mobile web-based tool for families with children ages two to eight. It provides information about early childhood development and caregiver mental health along with coaching on positive parenting practices. Click here for a downloadable brochure about the Family Check Up Online component of the program.
  • Young Child Wellness Council (YCWC): The YCWC brings together key partners from healthcare, behavioral health, education, childcare, Head Start, child welfare, early intervention, and parents/caregivers to support improved access and education – all to improve the well-being of children and families. Click here for a downloadable brochure about the Young Child Wellness Council.
  • Mental Health First Aid: A training program that teaches parents, caregivers, and community members how to support emotional and behavioral needs. This training is designed to help recognize and respond to signs of stress, providing important tools for understanding and care. Mental Health First Aid is offered in community settings by a Behavioral Health Educator. Click here for a downloadable brochure about our Mental Health First Aid training.

Click here for a printable brochure about the LaunchPAD program.

Spanish versions of all brochures are available on the Publications page here.

To view a virtual information session about the LaunchPAD program, please click here.

To view and download a resource guide for families, please click here.

The project described is supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), grant number 1H79SM087688–01. The contents on this page are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMSHA.