Comments from Public Officials

Here are some of the comments made about Network of Care by public officials throughout California:

GRANTLAND JOHNSON, Secretary
California Health and Human Services Agency

"(Gov. Davis) believes we should make every effort to allow our seniors and disabled to lead as independent an existence as possible. This project has harnessed new technology, utilizing the Internet to assist us in achieving this goal on a statewide basis. … Distance and space no longer have to serve as an obstacle to our efforts to enhance the quality of life of everyday Californians. …

"The ability to marry common sense and practical applications with new technology can open up wonderful vistas. …

"On behalf on the governor, on behalf of the Department of Aging, on behalf of the Health and Human Services Agency, we express our appreciation for the wise and creative use of resources we were able to make available to you and also to set an inspiring example for the rest of us in the state of California."

LYNDA TERRY, Director
California Department of Aging

"I knew way back when Bruce Bronzan and I talked about this project that it would be successful. Innovation that encourages collaboration, coordination and partnership, with the right people involved, is always going to work. At the state level, by putting resources and faith into that innovation, I think we're going to see something multiply even beyond what we're going to see today. And I am just so thankful to be part of that. …

"As your Department of Aging director, the biggest perspective I come from is that of a family caregiver, and knowing that oftentimes when you need something, you're in crisis mode, and you need to find information quickly. You need to find accurate information, and using technology is one of the best ways we can do that. And I, for one, am your biggest cheerleader and your biggest fan. Bruce, you and Afshin have done a great job in your partnership, and the Department of Aging is absolutely thrilled to be able to fund this project."

JIM HUNT, Director
Sacramento County Health and Human Services Department

"Each time I see this site, the excitement builds once again. There are few businesses that have Web sites as comprehensive and dynamic as this. In Sacramento, we have … between 150,000 and 200,000 seniors. That's an awful lot of people who before long will need some assistance with their daily lives. This Network of Care is a tool to help them and help their families care for them, and to help the agencies in this community that provide services for them, and to help my employees in my Senior and Health Services Division provide services more effectively, and at lower cost.

"(Bruce Bronzan and Afshin Khosravi) have an enthusiasm and a passion for the project and the population they're serving, and it's exciting to work with them. This is one grant project where the consultants have delivered, and then some. … You know, whenever you hire consultants, you always wonder what you're going to get. I set high expectations for my staff and the people we contract with, and I can say without any doubt that Trilogy has exceeded the expectations; they have exceeded the contract requirements, and they have put together a product that is truly stunning - one that I hope we can replicate throughout this state and perhaps across the country.

"It is truly a blessing for Sacramento County and, quite honestly, for anybody around the country that has access to this and finds out about it."

ROGER NIELLO, Chairman
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

"This is an exciting service and exciting opportunity for Sacramento County. It is our Network of Care service, but we can look at it as sort of the brave new world of Internet technology meets the old-fashioned world of in-home health care.

"One of my goals as chair has been to raise the awareness of the capabilities that electronic technology provides to us in the public sector, and how it can help us better provide service and also to promote the application of electronic technology to indeed provide better services to the citizens that we serve … That is exactly what this Network of Care system provides … In the privacy of their homes, (citizens) can have access to the myriad services that are available in the county and the state to serve their needs, directly through an Internet hookup."

LINDA KRETZ, Assistant Agency Director
Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services

"This Web site is especially exciting because, for the first time, a Web site is truly consumer-focused. It is easy to access by computer or telephone, and it has wonderful health and service information."

ALICE LAI-BITKER, Supervisor
Alameda County Board of Supervisors

"I am excited that the Network of Care is launching its Web site. As our senior population continues to grow, it is vitally important that we expand and improve upon the services and programs that we provide to older adults. 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 long-term care."