Peer Statewide Conference 2021

300 J Street,Sacramento CA 95814

16 August, 2021

Description

This 2-day conference addresses current peer priorities and mental health needs. Join us in advocating for change on August 16th and 17th! 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄: LEAD is a program of the California Association of Mental Health Peer-Run Organizations (CAMHPRO) and is funded through the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC). LEAD’s purpose is to transform the behavioral health system through peer leadership. Peers taking leadership roles in the vision, development and implementation of policy and services are change agents for California’s behavioral health system LEAD’s overarching premise is that access to and quality of behavioral health services are contingent on peer leadership in policy and delivery of services. Peer leadership is the only way behavioral health services will be transformed. A robust statewide peer network, regional/local peer run programs throughout the State, and peer services are essential to lead the behavioral health system toward a recovery-based person-centered service system. To 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲, we must 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐎𝐮𝐭 and 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, on the grassroots local level and the State level. “Speaking Out” truly means, “Nothing About us Without Us.” We are the experts about what we individually and collectively need. Nobody else can speak for us. In 1983, when California peers were organizing statewide, they had a dream “of significant client representation in mental health related forums and organizations, in decision-making that directly affects us.” Speaking Out in every platform and in every way, including telling your story, being on decision-making committees or participating in public comment, will make that dream a reality. “Making Change” means advocating for our individually and collectively identified needs. Change has historically come from the advocacy of people who have been directly affected by unjust and hurtful systems. Peers must take advocacy leadership, collaborating with allies, to attain accessible, high quality behavioral/community health services and supports. Welcome to our 2-day Peer Statewide Conference 2021, celebrating and promoting 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. CAMHPRO, founded in 2012, is a 501(c)3 non-profit incorporated consumer-run statewide organization consisting of member entities, which are established, independent and successful consumer-run organizations, and individual consumer members. CAMHPRO’s mission is: “to transform communities and the mental health system throughout California to empower, support, and ensure the rights of consumers, eliminate stigma, and advance self-determination for all those affected by mental health issues by championing the work of consumers and consumer-run organizations.” The specific purpose of CAMHPRO is to promote the work and mission of peer run organizations devoted to advocacy and empowerment for mental health consumers. For more information please visit:  https://camhpro.org/ Consumers Self Help was founded in 1986 when a group of Consumers banded together to advocate for a Consumer Run Program.  They received a small grant of $20,000 from the County Board of Supervisors to start their program.At first, the program rented meeting rooms at Churches and other non-profit organizations.  In 1989 Consumers Self Help became a private non-profit organization and by 1995 the organization was expanded to three separate programs, the South Center, North Center and The Office for Patients’ Rights for Sacramento County. The contract for the Wellness & Recovery Center under the Mental Health Services Act was awarded to Consumers Self Help in April 2007. In January 2008, Consumers Self Help obtained the contract to provide Patients' Rights services to clients in Yolo County. For more information please visit:  http://www.consumersselfhelp.org/