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Ohio Develops Community-Based Web Sites for Persons with Behavioral Health Issues

March 19, 2007
Ohio Department of Mental Health

Columbus, Ohio — Ohioans now have access to a breakthrough Web solution for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health issues. The Network of Care for Behavioral Health is an online resource provides critical information, communication and advocacy tools with a single point of entry. The community-Web sites will be launched on Monday, March 19 during a National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio conference the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Square. Over 100 consumers and family members will be in attendance.

The county-specific sites will enable consumers and families to find behavioral health information, identify available services, supports and community resources, and keep personal records in a secure environment. A library on more than 4,000 health topics, direct links to legislators and bill tracking resources, access to low-cost insurance programs, and support and advocacy information are all just a few clicks away on the Network of Care sites.

“The Network of Care provides connections to resources that empower consumers of behavioral health services, their families and service providers,” said Donald Anderson, Acting Director, Ohio Department of Mental Health. “This new tool can link Ohioans to vital community-based information.”

The Network of Care sites will provide a comprehensive Service Directory of service providers in most Ohio counties, putting people in touch with the right services at the right time.

The Network of Care concept was recognized as a model program in the President's New Freedom Mental Health final report in July 2003. Funding for the new Network of Care sites is being provided behavioral health boards through Ohio’s Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant.

Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC, a California-based company dedicated to improving information and communication in the health and social service fields at the community level, has developed similar sites for seniors, parents and people with disabilities.

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, working in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health, NAMI Ohio, Ohio Advocates for Mental Health, and the local Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Boards, is coordinating a week-long statewide rollout of the Web site launches and trainings.

Ohio’s Network of Care sites can be accessed at www.ohio.networkofcare.org.