CONSUMER AFFAIRS BULLETIN
Volume 3, No. 2 Summer 1998

Community Building

New Center for Studies Established in Kentucky. Kentucky consumers/survivors recently announced the incorporation of the Kentucky Center for Mental Health Studies, Inc., Lexington, Ky. The Center, a bonafide research institute, is governed by a board of directors controlled by consumers/survivors and is affiliated with the University of Ky. A research advisory council composed of consumers/survivors and researchers sets the agenda for projects and research.

Kentuckey Center for Mental Health Studies, Inc., Director Dr. Paul Weaver, said, “The Kentucky Center for Mental Health Studies satisfies a need to have consumers more involved in research that impacts them and in deciding what constitutes meaningful research. The arrangement with the UK faculty also allows for mentoring of consumers who would like to train to be researchers and research associates.”

For more information, contact Dr. Paul Weaver, Kentucky Center for Mental Health Studies, Inc., P.O. Box 12065, Lexington, Ky. 40580-2065 or (502) 564-4448.

Lend a Voice to the "Voices Project" in Rhode Island. The Voices Project is an oral history project that seeks to document the experiences and opinions of consumers/survivors. The author, a consumer/survivor herself, plans to interview a broad variety of individuals from different geographical regions, diagnoses, ages, races and points of view. Her goal is to write a book arranging personal vignettes around themes and issues of concern to people who have mental health problems such as "who we were before," "how our lives have changed," "dealing with the system," "recovery," and "hopes and dreams." Specific issues such as housing, work, legal problems, etc. will be illustrated by selected excerpts from the oral histories. To be interviewed by the author, contact Karen Lee, The Voices Project c/o NAMI-R.I., P.O. Box 28411, Providence, RI 02908-0411.

Partners in Planning Consumers’ role in contracting for public-sector managed mental health and addiction services. This new guide, is designed to help consumers, families and advocates identify and then advocate for the best possible managed care contracting practices. It was developed by the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and the Legal Action Center with significant input and assistance from a Stakeholder Council representing those who use mental health or drug and alcohol treatment services. The guide offers detailed information on the heart of the contract - the vital elements of the contracting process. For a copy of the document, contact the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, 1101 15th Street, N.W., Suite 1212, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Consumer Affairs Bulletin
Volume 3, No. 2, Summer 1998