Background: In June 2002, the County developed a support strategy for the Healthy San Diego Plus (HSD+) model called the Network of Care (NOC). The NOC Strategy builds upon an investment made by the County of San Diego to provide Internet access to a website loaded with local health and social service resources, information on assistive devices, pharmaceuticals, health literature, legislation, community meetings, and a personal, password-protected medical record (www.sandiego.networkofcare.org).

In July 2003, the California Dept. of Aging (CDA) submitted a joint application for a three-year federal Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grant on behalf of San Diego’s LTCIP NOC Strategy and Del Norte Area Agency on Aging. In April 2004, CA was selected as a grantee in the second round of funding. The goal of the ADRC initiative is to develop “one stop shop” resource centers that provide the public with easily accessible, understandable information, counseling and/or assistance and program linkage on the full range of aging and long term support options and health promotion that will enhance individual choice, improve access to/awareness of services and information, support informed decision-making, and foster public understanding of the use of home and community-based supports.

San Diego’s NOC Strategy is also referred to as the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) initiative. It is an approach that supports an integrated information and communication system building upon the County’s existing Network of Care website and Call Center at Aging & Independence Services. The NOC website is the foundation upon which the ADRC will be built. This web-based approach will complement and enhance existing Call Center functions to develop the “one stop shop” concept and ultimately provide the community with more seamless, accessible LTC information, assistance and support. The three-year $610,000 grant will help San Diego LTCIP to:

1) Improve user-friendly information on health and social services and public health education for consumers, caregivers and service providers;

2) Develop a warehouse on self-care management, best practices, and other information to improve individual outcomes and quality of life for seniors and persons with disabilities;

3) Enhance the use of the NOC system as a communication tool for LTCIP’s two service delivery models (Healthy San Diego Plus & Physician Strategy);

4) Perform formalized testing to assess the adequacy of the NOC database and function of this information for physicians, community-based providers, consumers, caregivers and Information & Referral /Assistance (I&R/A) professionals;

5) Assess the current Medicaid eligibility process to determine the potential for streamlining;

6) Develop and complete public education and training programs on aging and LTC support options, resources and information.

Click on the links below for more information on the grant initiative:

• Program Announcement and Application Instructions
• Grant Summary
• Twenty-four page Grant Narrative
• Revised San Diego Budget
• Revised San Diego Work Plan
• ADRC Technical Assistance Exchange Website

Network of Care Meetings