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Network of Care Web Site for Calaveras County Families Launched

October 19, 2012
The Pine Tree

First 5 Calaveras announces the launch of a newly expanded Web site for families in Calaveras County. The local Network of Care Web site (www.calaveras.networkofcare.org) now includes a health library, encyclopedia, and local resource and service information for persons of all ages. The Web site is designed for easy access to health and social service news at the local, state and national level, in addition to social network tools and a directory of local services.

“We encourage the public to check the expanded site to find high quality information to keep kids healthy and strengthen families”, said Karen Pekarcik, Executive Director of First 5 Calaveras. The expanded Web site helps meet the challenge for families to find information, resources and services they need. In addition, the Web site provides access to a comprehensive, high quality health library where anyone can look up specific health topics and get up to date information.

The expansion of the Network of Care site to address broad health and social needs is endorsed for all communities by the National Association of City and County Health Officials. The Network of Care Web site has been available in Calaveras County through the Calaveras County Behavioral Health Services Department, with a focus on mental health and veteran’s services. The expansion represents a commitment by First 5 Calaveras to address the information needs of families with children of any age while increasing access to resources and information for the entire Calaveras Community. The site is complimented by the addition of tri-county resources through links to the Infonettc.org Web site providing Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne county resources.

“In our community, we have young parents caring for aging family members and grandparents caring for infants”, stated Pekarcik. The benefits to families of access to information for all ages and needs led to the decision by First 5 Calaveras to lead the expansion of the Network of Care Web site in Calaveras County.

The site offers significant benefits to local service agencies also. “As the County’s population changes and agency services change, the Web site supports keeping the community informed through updated service information and tools such as a community calendar and message boards”, said Colleen Tracy, Health Services Agency Director and First 5 Calaveras Commission Chair. Service providers can build their own Web sites in the For Providers section.

The Calaveras Network of Care Web site (www.calaveras.networkofcare.org) includes nine components:

Kids 0-5 years
Children and Families 0-18 years
Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
Mental/Behavioral Health
Developmental Disabilities
Seniors and People with Disabilities
Public Health Assessment and Wellness
Domestic Violence
Probation Services

“This is the first community on-line access to such comprehensive local, state and national information,” Pekarcik added. First 5 Calaveras has contracted with The Resource Connection Food Bank to provide on-site demonstrations for community agencies and organizations. “We know family needs vary. I anticipate that community partners will be excited to use Calaveras Network of Care to enhance services to community members they serve.” For more information on the new Calaveras Network of Care Web site, contact First 5 Calaveras at (209) 754-6914 or at kpekarcik@co.calaveras.ca.us.

First 5 Calaveras is a local organization funded by a dedicated tobacco tax for the purposes of promoting, supporting, and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age. This is accomplished through integrated and comprehensive programs emphasizing community awareness, education, nurturing, child care, social services, health services and research.