ABSTRACT
The West Virginia
Mental Health Consumer’s Association, Inc. (WVMHCA) provides services as a
national consumer-run technical assistance center, created to strengthen and
support consumer networks, to identify technical assistance needs and
implement related strategies for diverse consumer groups, and to encourage
relationship building through its Consumer Organization and Networking
Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC).
CONTAC is a resource
center for consumers and consumer-run organizations across the United States.
Available services and products include informational materials;
on-site training and skill-building curricula; electronic and other
communication capabilities; networking and customized activities promoting
self-help, recovery, leadership, business management, and empowerment.
CONTAC provides these services in collaboration, as needed, with other
technical assistance centers, consumer-supporters, and its developing
western-based office, CONTAC del Oeste. CONTAC is accessible through a
toll-free number (1-888-825-8324); available staff during core hours (8:30am
– 6:00pm EST M-F); an answering machine after hours; via web site; at major
conferences and other communication venues.
Various
components of organizational technical assistance are conducted by CONTAC,
including: (1) communication and networking; (2) training and skill building;
and (3) sharing lessons learned. Objectives
include fostering self-help, leadership and management skills, addressing
unmet needs of local and diverse consumer organizations, strengthening
relationships among stakeholders, supporting capacity building, and
participating in national collaboration.
CONTAC utilizes continuous
quality improvement methodology to effectively direct services to areas of
greatest need. Representatives with expertise in areas of culture and ethnic
diversity, peer-support services, programming, research, and evaluation help
provide the CONTAC project with hands on guidance, resource identification,
and direction for networking, trainings, and writings.
CONTAC participates in an evaluation process whereby data is made
available for review and analysis. CONTAC appreciates funding through CMHS of
SAMHSA.