LEWISTON — State and local system of care entities have announced the launch of Tri-County Network of Care, from 1 to 3 p.m. Mon., Nov. 9, at St. Mary’s Lepage Conference Center, 99 Campus Ave. The multi-lingual Web site is designed for people exploring physical and emotional wellness and for service providers.

“This one-stop, community-based resource empowers youth and families,” said Doug Patrick, system manager, Maine Children’s Behavioral Health Services, “by giving them a place to research their own issues, store and control access to their health information, and advocate directly with legislators.”

Features of the Tri-County Network of Care, www.tricounty.me.networkofcare.org, include an easily searchable regional mental health service directory; confidential, HIPPA-compliant folders for family health information; social networking forums for peer-to-peer support; nationwide mental health news; 30,000 articles on mental illness, medications and recovery; and advocacy and legislative information.

Service providers can use the site’s message boards and community calendars to share challenges and ideas, as well as brainstorm system of care solutions in collaboration with other entities. The site is accessible regardless of literacy or income level through a text-only version and other adaptive technologies, including large print sizes. It is available in several languages, including French, Somali, Italian and Spanish.

Tri-County Network of Care is sponsored by Children’s Behavioral Health, The Community Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families – Tri-County and THRIVE System of Care Initiative.