Valley Human Services Network to be Linked by Computer

CIRACS, Inc. is a non-profit organization recently awarded a $2000 Tri-Valley Community Fund grant to facilitate the development of a computerized network of human services.

Soon, a mix of local agencies, public entities and corporate personnel departments in two counties will be linked by microcomputers so they can share up-to-date information and resources.

In 1982, private and community leaders joined together to form the Valleys Corridor Project. They came together in recognition of the strain placed on the human care services infrastructure by rapid population growth in the valley. CIRACS is the direct outgrowth of this community-wide volunteer effort to provide for information and communications exchange.

Dublin Mayor Peter Snyder is president of the CIRACS Board. "We saw a real need for a computerized system which would provide better access to human services and promote greater service coordination and resources management, and we wanted to create opportunities for local public officials, corporate leaders and agency managers to come together to make informed decisions about their communities."

The first phase of the project will see the establishment of a pilot network of Pleasanton, Dublin and San Ramon agencies working in the areas of substance abuse and related mental health areas.

Already signed up as network participants are twelve organizations including two counseling centers, an alcohol treatment center and a community center. A community profile of each of the three cities in the pilot program will also be conducted to identify high risk populations and determine how well current resources match community needs. Community forums will be held to present the findings.

The goal of CIRACS is to be able to link human service organizations throughout the greater Bay Area.

CIRACS is located in Pleasanton at 5674 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 108. For further information, phone 463-2182.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: June 9, 1986 Pathways.