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Ventura County Web Site Offers Mental Health Information, Resources

August 2, 2006
California Healthline (California HealthCare Foundation)

The Ventura County Behavioral Health Department on Tuesday launched the Network of Care Web site to provide families, clients and counselors with information and resources on mental health issues, the Ventura County Star reports. The Web site includes information on:

* Counseling services;
* Low-cost insurance; and
* Pending legislation.

News archives and explanations about medications and disorders also are featured. The site is offered in English, with limited translations in six other languages.

Family members of residents with mental illnesses said they were impressed by a site feature that allows them to e-mail legislative committee members about mental health legislation. However, they said more information should be included about doctors who participate in Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program.

All counties in the state have Network of Care sites funded by Proposition 63, but Ventura and several other counties had begun the project independently. Voters approved Proposition 63 in 2004 to increase the state income tax on annual incomes above $1 million to fund mental health care (Wilson, Ventura County Star, 8/2).