Background

Due to the fragmented way most health and human service programs are funded, there is all too often little coordination among programs. Additionally, accessing services - or even information about services - on a timely basis can be an extremely difficult task for the general public. Often, people are not aware that valuable services even exist.

The corporate community has for some time been addressing similar information-related problems using a variety of Internet solutions. However, until now, Web technology has been scarce in diverse, fragmented, social-services systems.

While consulting with Alameda County and the State of California, Trilogy Integrated Resources created a concept that uses the Internet as a "virtual community" to better coordinate the various components of health and social services at the local level. This concept, which has become known as the Network of Care, provides critical information to everyone in the community in a simple, fast and accurate fashion.

Trilogy's concept became a reality in the area of aging and long-term care when California Gov. Gray Davis funded the Network of Care demonstration project in July 2000 for Alameda and Sacramento counties. In August 2001, the two pilot Web sites were launched, and they were immediately hailed as a significant and important new contribution to the health and human services community. Within one year, Trilogy replicated the Network of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities in 12 other counties.

Due to the extraordinary success and community use of the Web sites on aging and disabilities, interest was generated at both the county and state levels for similar, one-stop information sites in other human-services arenas. In October 2002, the California Department of Mental Health, under the direction of Dr. Steven Mayberg, commissioned a similar site to be developed in the area of mental health. San Diego County was chosen as the inaugural location for the Network of Care for Mental Health.

At the same time, the Network of Care for Kids, for children ages 0-5, was commissioned to be developed with the Contra Costa First 5 Children & Families Commission (Prop. 10). This Web site was launched in May 2003. In addition, the Fresno County Department of Children & Family Services commissioned the development of the Network of Care for Children & Family Services, for youths ages 0-18, which was introduced to the public in September 2003.

Currently, Trilogy is in the preliminary stages of developing a Web site about domestic abuse.