SYRACUSE, N.Y. - County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro will unveil a breakthrough web solution on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. in the County Executive’s conference room, 14th floor of the John H. Mulroy Civic Center, for recipients, families, and the general public concerned with mental health, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependence. Network of Care for Behavioral Health (onondaga.ny.networkofcare.org) is a reliable, user-friendly online information resource that enables consumers and families to find pertinent behavioral health information, identify available services, supports, and community resources, and keep personal records on secure servers.
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 system.
This award-winning resource was cited by the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health as one of ten “best practice” models. Regardless of where recipients, families and providers begin their search for assistance, Network of Care for Behavioral Health ensures they will find what they need. This website will enable people to find the right service at the right time, educate themselves, understand current policy initiatives, advaocate to elected officials, and better manage their interactions and important records.
“The recently published Onondaga Citizens League study on mental health services called for improved information and access, and I am pleased we are the first county in the state to make this nationally recognized resource available to our residents,” said Mr. Pirro. “The Network of Care is a significant enhancement of our ongov.net and helpline on the web resources and an important part of our continuing effort to improve and simplify public access to information.”
“Cooperation among providers is critical to our success in helping people,” stated David Brownell, County Commissioner of Mental Health. “I’m pleased that the Mental Health Association, Prevention Network, and the Central New York Developmental Services Office are co-sponsoring this project. Their participation will promote use of this valuable tool by a wide variety of county residents regardless of literacy or income level.”
Network of Care was developed by Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC with an innovation grant from the State of California and was first launched in San Diego County, Calif.