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Merced County Department of Mental Health Announces Launch of Community-Based Web Site for People with Mental Illness, Mental Retardation or Substance Abuse Issues, Their Families and Service Providers

May 23, 2006
Merced County Department of Mental Health

MERCED, Calif. – The Merced County Department of Mental Health launched a breakthrough Web solution today for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental and emotional wellness. Network of Care for Mental Health is an online information place that provides critical information, communication and advocacy tools with a single point of entry. It ensures there’s is “No Wrong Door” for those navigating the system of behavioral health services, those working to avoid the need for formal services, and those ready to transition out of the behavioral health system.

Sponsored by the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) in partnership with the California Department of Mental Health, Network of Care for Mental Health is a pilot program for California and the nation. Regardless of where individuals, families and agencies begin their search for assistance with behavioral health issues, Network of Care for Mental Health ensures they will find what they need. The new Web site will enable people to find the right service at the right time; educate themselves about their issues; understand current policy initiatives and advocate directly to elected officials; and better manage their affairs, interactions and important records.

“Network of Care is an incredibly valuable resource for people with mental illness in every county of California,” said Troy Fox, Director of Merced County’s Department of Mental Health. “This Web site provides a tremendous service to our citizens. Network of Care will help people find the resources they need without having to waste a lot of time searching. It also will provide invaluable assistance to service provides, who must serve their clients within a fragmented system. With the launching of Network of Care, Merced County takes a big step in empowering people with mental illness to lead independent lives.”

Fox further stated, “As the population of our county continues to grow, it is vitally important that we expand and improve upon the services and programs that we provide to people with mental illness. This valuable resource will increase access and knowledge of existing services and will enable more people to communicate to each other about their interests and concerns connected to mental health.”

The Network of Care for Mental Health provides a comprehensive Service Directory of the community-based services providers in each California county, putting people in touch with the right services at the right time. Network of Care also provides easy-to-search libraries and vital information about specific disorders, pending legislation and advocacy, as well as daily news articles from around the world concerning mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse.

Service providers can share challenges and ideas, as well as create powerful new mechanisms to better serve people with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse, by embracing Network of Care’s communication tools such as message boards and community calendars. Service providers can even build their own free Web sites in the For Providers section.

Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC of San Rafael, Calif., created, developed and maintains Network of Care for Mental/Behavioral Health and all of the other California Network of Care Web sites, including Network of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities; Network of Care for Kids (ages 0-5); Network of Care for Children & Families (ages 0-18); Network of Care for Developmental Disabilities, and Network of Care for Domestic Violence. Based on requests from across the nation, Trilogy is also developing a Network of Care site for substance abuse.

Trilogy, the leading information provider in the field of social services, now serves the entire State of California via the Network of Care. For more information, please contact Trilogy at 415-458-5900 or at info@trilogyir.com. To view the Merced County Network of