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Health Care: Sonoma efforts on 2-1-1 advance; Kaiser grant funds gang tattoo removal

Sonoma County is closer to having its own one-source public services hotline after a group of public and private players signed a partnership agreement.

The non-emergency 2-1-1 phone line is tentatively planned to launch Feb. 11, 2009, and will be modeled after a program in Southern California where callers can receive information on public services including food, shelter, health, child care and many others. The service also has proved valuable during public emergencies such as the Southern California fires when operators fielded more than 130,000 calls from evacuees.

“Currently, about 75 percent of the national population is covered by a 2-1-1 phone system, but Northern California is running a little behind,” said United Way spokesman Fritz Ward.

“But the important thing is we are making process, and when this does launch, it will be a great thing for Sonoma County citizens.”

Initial discussions for the project began about two years ago between officials from the County of Sonoma, Volunteer Center of Sonoma County and the United Way of the Wine Country, but the group signed the official memorandum of understanding July 9.

In January, the group recruited new private partners including Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and the Abbey, Weitzenberg, Warren & Emery law firm, which collectively donated $35,000. The group has received many smaller donations since January, which are needed for research, software and staffing.

Mr. Ward said eventually the group hopes to make the system regional, but the line will only include Sonoma County resources to start. The number is toll free and will need a continual source of funding after the launch, which Mr. Ward said will come from donations and state and federal grants.

For more information, visit

www.unitedwaywinecountry.com/2-1-1 or nationally at www.211.org.

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Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa has launched a grant program for former gang members who want to remove tattoos that identify them with a particular gang.

The Santa Rosa Clean Slate Tattoo Removal program is funded through the organization’s community benefit program and supplies applicants with $5,000 to $20,000 in procedures. The removal can take up to 10 sessions over about six weeks.

The local Social Advocates for Youth nonprofit submitted the proposal for the project, modeled after a similar program in San Jose. Officials from the group said often gang-affiliated marks are on the hands, face, neck and wrists and can be significant barriers to finding work, even if the person is no longer in the gang.

Kaiser is offering the service to 30 people during the program pilot, but it could expand the endeavor in the future.

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Partnership HealthPlan of California, the Medi-Cal managed care administrator for Solano, Napa and Yolo counties, will make a presentation on the

expected impacts of state budget cuts this Wednesday.

Partnership Executive Director Jack Horn and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, will speak at the Solano Economic Development Corp. meeting at 7:30 a.m. at the Fairfield Hilton Garden Inn.

“Partnership Health-Plan is a vital nonprofit organization in our communities,” said Solano EDC President Michael Ammann.

To attend the event, call 707-864-1855.

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Reach Medical Holdings Inc. of Santa Rosa hired three key executive leaders last month as part of a greater effort to grow the business.

Former vice president of finance for International Coffee & Tea Ken Li Lillo joined the company as chief financial officer. He received his bachelor’s in business administration from Cleveland State University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

New Business Development Director Gary Feldman joined Reach after 18 years as partner and vice president of strategic marketing and development for Critical Air Medicine Inc., where he took the company from $3 million to $40 million in sales.

Marketing veteran and entrepreneur Rhoann Ponseti is now director of marketing for Reach.

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Submit items for this column to D. Ashley Furness at 707-521-4257, afurness@busjrnl.com or fax 707-521-5292.