OC ensures accessibility to mental health resources for military personnel and their families

Last week, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Chairman Andrew Do’s proposal to renew Orange County’s Contract with Child Guidance Center, expanding the Continuum of Care for Veterans and Military Families program.

“From pre-deployment to post-deployment, military families live a life of service,” said Chairman Andrew Do. “The expansion of this program will ensure Orange County’s military community has continued access to quality mental health and basic needs services.”

The Board established the Continuum of Care for Veterans and Military Families Program in May 2018, prioritizing access to mental health services for veterans and their family members. Since October of its inaugural year, the program has provided quality and adaptive mental health services to over 400 military-connected individuals and families. The program emphasizes a coordinated, community-based approach to ensure military families receive comprehensive, culturally-sensitive mental health and basic needs services.

According to an Association of Defense Communities report, the pandemic has drastically affected the mental health of military personnel and their families. Roughly a quarter of military families throughout the nation stated that would like to receive mental health services, but do not have access to these services or resources as a result of COVID-19 limitations.

In response to the pandemic, Orange County has prioritized the adaptation of Continuum of Care services and trainings for Zoom, creating opportunities for safe, informed, and responsible engagement with the community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on many families throughout the country, including military families,” said Chairman Do. “Taking care of our community is of the utmost importance during this unprecedented time. The renewal of the Continuum of Care program is an optimistic step that ensures Orange County’s military personnel and their families continue to receive the best possible mental health services long after the pandemic.”

Orange County Chairman Andrew Do represents the First District communities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City. One of the first officials in the state to propose a face covering mandate, Chairman Andrew Do is advocating for science-based COVID-19 policies. In addition to health and safety-based COVID-19 response planning, he has reformed Orange County’s mental health services, expanded access to health care, and led efforts to combat homelessness