Web–based Database Provides Resources for Media, Community

(THOUSAND OAKS, CA May 2006) – As the number of urgent and critical issues – such as gang violence, AIDS and homelessness – increase in our community, the Profile of Health and Human Services in Ventura County offers one of the best statistical pictures of the socio–economic conditions in the county. The information is easily accessible on a Web site located at http://www.venturaprofile.org.

The site is maintained by California Lutheran University’s Center for Leadership and Values, which is one of eight members of the consortium of public and nonprofit organizations that implemented the service a couple of years ago. The data on the use–friendly Web site is updated quarterly, and is available in html and Excel formats to better serve the media, local businesses and the community.

“To solve problems, we must first know and understand what the problems are and to what extent they are being addressed already,” explains Jamshid Damooei, Ph.D., a professor of economics at CLU and co–director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Values.

Users of the database may choose from 11 different data domains: Demography; Socio–economic Conditions; Dependency Issues; Education; Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance; Employment; Healthcare; Public Safety; Recreation; Environmental Indicators; Real Estate and Housing Affordability.

Along with the Profile Web site, CLU’s Center for Leadership and Values provides resources, articles and informative speakers that promote discussions on value–based leadership and social progress within the University and the larger community.

For additional information about the Web site or about the Center for Leadership and Values, please contact Dr. Jamshid Damooei at (805) 493–3357 or damooei@clunet.edu.