Tiffin, Ohio — A new Web site dedicated to easy network access for all population groups in Ohio to find services, gain knowledge, remain independent and be heard regarding behavioral health issues officially was launched for the Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot counties March 22 from the Tiffin Developmental Center-Administration Building.
Executive Director Nancy Cochran explained the purpose as the “Network of Care empowers people with mental illness, their families and service providers by providing online access to comprehensive services available in our community.”
The press event was coordinated by Cochran and Community Services Director Cheryl Huss as part of the federal Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant (TSIG) allocation of $12 million over five years to meet Goal 6 of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health which is “Technology is Used to Access Mental Health Care and Information.”
State officials, who attended from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, included Administrator Mary Inbody and Executive Assistant Marilee Oldfield, and from the Ohio Department of Mental Health was Area Director Kathy Anthony.
“This is an incredible transformation of the services available to consumers and providers connecting them through one easy site.” Anthony said.
Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC set-up and maintains the Web site for Ohio and 13 other states so far.
Publisher Kathy Sterbenc from their San Rafael, California office demonstrated the Web site accessed through www.ohio.networkofcare.org. Sterbenc explained the home page and how to connect to the county by either typing in the county or pointing and clicking on the county map. From there all the services available in each county including through schools, universities and other area providers are found with addresses and phone numbers.
In addition, to the local service directories, a library with more than 4,000 topics including information on health conditions, medical tests, procedures, medications and everyday health and wellness issues is continuing to be updated with current facts.
Other topics on the Web site are legislative links, insurance coverage available, support and advocacy organizations, an emergency crisis link on situations for children, adolescents and children, a provider page, message boards, news updates and My Folder section where individuals can place personal information and important facts readily available.
The Web site is protected by Verisign enscription software “on the security level of Bank of America,” Anthony said.
Sterbenc said the “My Folder” section is helpful to family members who can establish passwords to access information when taking parents or children to providers.
“That way everyone knows the most recent information especially if the WRAP is part of the folder,” Sterbenc said.
WRAP stands for Wellness Recovery Action Plan a baseline for an individual when they feel healthy so they can monitor events when something changes.