The consumer survey project at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in Connecticut was dubbed “Voice Your Opinion 2000-01". The survey logo is the outline of the State of Connecticut with 6 ovals listing the individual links that contributed to the implementation of the first statewide consumer survey. These links represent the efforts of many stakeholders and are becoming a rallying point for consumer participation in the review of behavioral health care system.
The Department contracted with a peer advocacy group, Advocacy Unlimited, (AU) and used a peer interview model. The peer surveyor teams are recruited, trained and supervised by AU staff, they complete a 2 day course and work in teams of 2-4 people, with one member as a site team leader. The core of the instrument is the MHSIP Consumer Survey Version 2.0, although we have added questions that address local concerns such as knowledge about the grievance procedure, the access to dental care and questions relating to the use of substances.
The use of consumer surveyors in their natural communities and systems of care supports the Department’s goals of recovery based care. The decision to use consumers to review a statewide service system and actually to be involved in the implementation of the survey empowers both the consumers being asked for their opinion as well as the consumers doing the survey. Both DMHAS and consumer advocates throughout Connecticut hope to use this information to shape provider behavior and increase DMHAS support.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.