Chemung county Unveils COMMUNITY-BASED WEB SITE FOR

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, MENTAL RETARDATION OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, THEIR FAMILIES and Service Providers

Network of Care (http://www.chemung.ny.networkofcare.org/mh/home) empowers people with mental illness, mental retardation or substance abuse issues, their families and service providers by providing online access to comprehensive services available within Chemung County

Chemung County introduced a breakthrough Web solution for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental and emotional wellness. Network of Care for Mental/Behavioral Health is an online information place that provides critical information, communication and advocacy tools with a single point of entry. It ensures there 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 an innovation grant from the State of California in partnership with Chemung County, Network of Care for Mental/Behavioral Health (www.networkofcare.org) 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/Behavioral 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.

The Network of Care for Mental/Behavioral Health provides a comprehensive Service Directory of the approximately 85 service providers in Chemung 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.

To increase accessibility and accommodate Network of Care's users, the site's innovative technology provides near-universal access, regardless of literacy or income level, to Web-based services through a text-only version of the site and other adaptive technologies. The site is fully ADA-compliant and Bobby-approved. Network of Care also is available in multiple languages.

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 all Network of Care Web sites, including Network of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities, currently serving one-third of California's population; Network of Care for Kids (ages 0-5), and Network of Care for Children & Families (ages 0-18). Based on requests from across the nation, Trilogy is also developing Network of Care sites for domestic abuse, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.

Network of Care for Behavioral Health, a project of the Chemung County Department of Mental Hygiene with support from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Chemung County; and the Social Connection.

This Web site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health. It provides information about behavioral health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with behavioral health issues, the Network of Care helps you find what you need - it helps ensure that there is "No Wrong Door" for those who need services. This Web site can greatly assist in our efforts to protect our greatest human asset - our beautiful minds.