Tri-Counties Regional Center And MedicAlert Foundation Program A Success

Joint effort helps protect mentally, behaviorally disabled

TURLOCK, California (November 26, 2001) - MedicAlert Foundation, the world's leading emergency medical information service, and Tri-Counties Regional Center, today announced they have enrolled nearly 1300 mentally and behaviorally disabled children and adults in a joint program to alert law enforcement and medical emergency personnel of medical problems or conditions.

MedicAlert and Tri-Counties Regional Center teamed up in June 2000 to provide the around-the-clock MedicAlert^® Service to participating Tri-Counties Regional Center clients. Participants also have the added security knowing MedicAlert can speak for them in case they are unable to communicate important information during a medical emergency.

Tri-Counties Regional Center also announced that it will continue to provide peace of mind for those individuals who signed up for the program last year by paying for their one-year MedicAlert Membership renewal fee, a $20 value.

"We're very pleased with the response with the MedicAlert program," said Bernie Schaeffer, publications specialist for Tri-Counties Regional Center . "Our staff is more aware of how MedicAlert can speak for our clients and reunite them with authorities at Tri-Counties in case they cannot communicate in a medical emergency. The staff has mentioned the valuable benefits of MedicAlert to their family members and other individuals."

Also benefiting from this unique program are the law enforcement officers in Santa Barbara County who protect the developmentally disabled in the community. "We think MedicAlert and Tri-Counties Regional Center have put together a great program which helps us better serve people with developmental disabilities in our community," said Commander Deborah Linden from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department. "The information provided by MedicAlert can be extremely valuable in emergency situations or when we need to reunite a client with the Regional Center or their family."

"It's a win-win situation for both parties and the results have surpassed our expectations," said Tanya J. Glazebrook, president and chief executive officer of MedicAlert Foundation. "MedicAlert is proud to be associated with Tri-Counties in the implementation of this program. We hope other regional centers realize the difference they can make."

MedicAlert Foundation and Tri-Counties Regional Center bring more than 78 combined years of experience in the non-profit and public sector. Interested individuals may call MedicAlert Foundation toll free at 888-904-7630 or visit the MedicAlert website at http://www.medicalert.org/ to obtain further information.