MHN Government Services Associate Wins Domestic Violence Prevention Award

Managed Health Network, Inc. (MHN), a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc, today announced that Karen Norkowski, an employee of MHN Government Services, a division of MHN, is the 2006 recipient of the Andrea OíDonnell Award from the San Diego Domestic Violence Council (SDDVC).

The award is named for Andrea OíDonnell, who was an acting director of the Womenís Resource Center at San Diego State University and a staunch advocate for victims of domestic abuse. Tragically, in 1994, Andrea OíDonnell was murdered by her partner.

Each year since 1995, the SDDVC has presented this award to an outstanding champion for victims of domestic violence. Norkowski received the award on October 4, 2006, at the 4th Annual Not-to-be-Forgotten Rally that she helped organize for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Norkowski is the military liaison for the Family Justice Center, a department of the City of San Diego that focuses on helping victims of domestic violence and their children, and victims of elder abuse. Norkowski also is co-chair of the Shelter and Support Service Committee of the SDDVC. In her role as victimís advocate for MHNGS, Norkowski works closely with domestic violence victims in the military, helping them to navigate through military services and find the best support and assistance available.

The entire Health Net family is extremely proud of Karen, said Jerry Coil, president and chief executive officer of MHN. She has consistently gone the extra mile to better the lives of people who have been in abusive situations. And her work with the Not-to-be-Forgotten Rally will help ensure that all the men, women and children who have died at the hands of domestic violence are recognized and remembered.

MHNGS is headquartered in Point Richmond, Calif., with offices in Arlington, Va., Irving, Texas, and Johnstown, Pa. The company currently offers two programs for the Under Secretary of the Department of Defense (in support of all uniformed services). The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocacy program (DAVA) advocates for military members and their families who are victims of domestic violence, and the Military and Family Life Consultants program (MFLC) offers counseling to Service members and their families for a wide range of issues including family stress, depression, insomnia, marriage readjustment and job-related challenges. Other federal customers include Department of Defense civilians and Katrina Relief recipients.