Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
January 25, 2006, Vol. 06-04

Consumer Driven Services Directory

The CMHS-supported National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse has developed a directory of consumer-driven services available at: http://www.cdsdirectory.org/

Consumer-driven services (CDS) are service programs that include a significant contribution from mental health consumers in design, administration, executive leadership, and/or service provision. These programs vary widely in focus, size and the degree to which consumers are involved in day-to-day programming and development. The essential characteristics of CDS are universal however-any CDS program must feature active participation of consumers as a regular part of its planning process, and input from consumers must be of foremost importance in decision-making.

A wide variety of organizational settings may lend themselves to CDS programs, from large mental health service agencies to unique grassroots efforts run on a volunteer basis. Some, but not all, of these organizations have consumer involvement as a part of their charter or mission statement, as for instance a requirement for a majority of consumers on their Boards of Directors or staff. Many CDS are completely independent incorporated organizations. Others may operate under a charity umbrella framework, within a traditional provider agency, or even as part of an inpatient hospital program.

The CDS Directory highlights the vital role consumer-driven programs play in the continuum of care and allows programs to share their successful innovations with others.

Through the CDS Directory:

- Mental health consumers can find local services and supports that best
meet their needs.

- Managers and staff of consumer-driven services can examine the practices
of other programs, borrow solutions to common challenges, and network
with people running similar programs.

- Organizations operating consumer-driven services have a forum to
promote their programs' accomplishments.

- Systems administrators and peer specialists exploring the creation of new
programs can compare the merits of existing programs and identify useful
resources.

- Researchers studying consumer-driven services can locate and contact
programs they wish to study (e.g., multiple programs matching a particular
service model) and will be able to review existing research.

All consumer-driven programs are invited to apply for inclusion in the Consumer-Driven Services Directory via the Web site www.cdsdirectory.org/contact. To receive application materials by mail, write to info@cdsdirectory.org or NMHCSH Clearinghouse, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 1207, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.