7/31/2010 10:20:22 AM
The Consumer Voice Workgroup is developing specific work plans to ensure consumer involvement is inherent and valued throughout the Transformation effort and results in a consumer-driven mental health system. Specific strategies include implementation of recovery and resiliency metrics, public education, social marketing, anti-stigma campaigning, development and support of a statewide consumer network, expansion of peer supports, and a two-way information sharing system between consumers and policymakers so that policies are consumer-driven.
The Texas MHT-SIG Transformation Workgroup has designated consumer voice as a priority area for Texas. While consumers and family members participate in all six workgroups, they also lead a workgroup which focuses exclusively on consumer voice issues. While the issues relating to consumer voice are extensive, the TWG charged the workgroup with recommending strategies to:
The workgroup goal is to encourage and facilitate a two-way dialogue between consumers/family members and state agencies/providers through networking opportunities and representation in all transformation efforts.
With consultation from consumer and family member leadership on the TWG, the Consumer Voice Workgroup recommended the following strategies for advancing consumer voice in Texas:
The accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the Consumer Voice Workgroup is critical to understanding the current system and moving toward one that supports recovery and resilience. To support these efforts, Texas has appointed a Consumer Voice Coordinator, who will help develop and implement many of the programs proposed by the workgroup.