Our Mission and Vision
Viet-C.A.R.E.’s primary objective and purpose are to reduce mental health disparities and enhance quality mental health care services.
Who We Are
Viet-C.A.R.E was founded by Paul Hoang, a licensed clinical social worker—whose years of missionary experiences and growing passion to better serve people with mental illnesses, especially among the Vietnamese communities—led him to reach out and share his dreams to whoever was willing to listen. Among those who have heard and wanted to support his dreams was Xuyen Dong, a psychologist and seasoned clinical social worker. Xuyen Dong became one of a few confidants and supporters who dedicated their time, expertise, and energy to help actualize our common dream. Viet-C.A.R.E began on July 2008 when Paul Hoang convened a meeting among Vietnamese mental health professionals (psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals) with a passion to help individuals suffering from mental illnesses to address the mental health needs of the Vietnamese community.
About the Founder
Paul has been actively working in the field of mental health, spirituality, community building & organizing, and resource development/enhancement for over 15 years. For the past 8 years, Paul has specialized in emergency mental health, disaster response services, and training professionals and non-professionals in crisis prevention and intervention.
Paul’s holistic mindfulness and solution-focused approach, in addition to his experiences and clinical skills, make him effective in mobilizing and increasing collaboration among stakeholders, community partners, law enforcement and government agencies, and leaders, especially when it comes to identifying and addressing areas for growth and enhancement.
Since 2009, Paul has developed the clinical curriculum and served as the clinical instructor for a local county’s LPS 5150 Designation Certificate Course. Paul has trained over a thousand mental health and law enforcement professionals, community members, and leaders.
Our goals are to:
- Collaborate with Viet-C.A.R.E partners who provide services to Vietnamese community members with mental illnesses.
- Educate and empower communities, families of individuals with mental illnesses, and mental health service providers by providing knowledge, tools, and collaborative partnerships to enhance their ability to support and promote the recovery of community members with mental illnesses.
- Support the use of evidence-based practices, and promote the development of promising and innovative mental health treatment services for Vietnamese community members who face mental health challenges.
- Advocate for policies and programs that support and promote the recovery of Vietnamese community members with mental illness and their families.