Adult care center offers range of health services to veterans
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Sixtyfive years ago the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. For many people, what they know about the Dec. 7 incident, which cost over 2,000 people their lives and brought the U.S. into World War II, has been sanitized through textbooks and movies.

But for veterans it's a different story-their memories can be disturbing and vivid. Many veterans in Ventura County, however, may be unaware that help is available and close by.

The Oxnard Family Circle Adult Day Health Care is the only center in the county contracted with Veterans Affairs to provide medical, therapeutic, rehabilitative and social services to war veterans.

Program Director Karen Borczon said of the 280 people enrolled in the center, only about 20 are veterans of World War II, Vietnam, Korean, Desert Storm, the Gulf War or the current war in Iraq.

Borczon said veterans tend to need more psychological support than non-veterans, and the center is trying to meet their needs. The center has weekly group sessions for veterans lead by a mental health professional from the veterans center in Ventura. Individual psychological counseling is available as well.

"They also appreciate a little more just being together," said Borczon, who's a licensed clinical social worker. Every month the center has a lunch time event especially for veterans.

The center also provides free two-way transportation.

George Compton, the county's veterans service officer, said before the Oxnard facility was awarded a contract with the federal government two years ago, veterans had to travel to Santa Barbara or the San Fernando Valley for such services.

"The Adult Day Health Care does two things that I like: it helps the person and helps the caregiver at home-it gives them a break," Compton said.

The center's services are free to veterans, paid for by the federal government when they're referred by a VA clinic or a VAcontracted clinic, such as the one in Camarillo at the CMH Center for Family Health, 422 Arneill Road, Ste. B. For more information about the clinic, call (805) 9836384. For information on Oxnard Family Circle, call (805) 3854180.