Community Support Programs Branch
Consumer/Peer-Run Activities and Services Grant Programs
The CSP Branch has a history of support for consumer involvement in mental health policy planning and peer-run programs through funding of:
Statewide Consumer Network Grants
In September 2004, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
awarded 19 organizations a Statewide Consumer Network Grant for a 3-year grant period. The
program is designed to enhance state capacity and infrastructure by supporting consumer organizations
to target recovery and resiliency and by promoting the use of consumers as agents of transformation.
These statewide consumer networks consist of consumer-run organizations whose membership
include consumers who are working collectively to create a supportive environment for someone
coping with serious mental illness.
The goals of the program are to:
- Strengthen their consumer organization’s relationships both within and
with outside organizations;
- Promote consumer skill development with an emphasis on leadership
and business management;
- Identify the technical assistance needs of consumers within their
state; and
- Provide training and support to ensure that consumers of mental health care
can provide input into changing the mental health and related systems.
For more information:
List of 2004 grantees
List of 2007 grantees
Helpful resources for consumer organizations
Examples of statewide consumer network activities
Consumer-Operated Services Program Multisite Research Initiative
The Community Support Programs (CSP) Branch supported the 4-year Consumer-Operated Services
Program (COSP) Multisite Research Initiative. The goal was to investigate to what extent
consumer-operated programs, as an adjunct to traditional mental health services, are effective
in improving the outcomes of people with serious mental illnesses.
Consumers of mental health care were involved in designing and interpreting the results from
the evaluation. They continue to be involved in ongoing analyses and dissemination of results.
For more information:
Consumer-Operated Services Program Multisite Research Initiative
Consumer-Operated Services Program Overview (PDF)
Consumer-Operated Services Program Study Sites
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