DCMHCL Letter of Support Peer Education 10-21-02.doc

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Draft letter of commitment for DMH�

10/16/02

DC Mental Health Consumers League

PO Box 34562

Washington, DC  20043

(202) 396-4183

 

 

 

October 21, 2002

 

 

Dr. Steven Steury, CMO

District of Columbia

Department of Mental Health

77 P. St. NE, Fourth Floor

Washington, DC 20002

                                                                        Re:  RFA # MH-03-007

 

Dear Dr. Steury:

 

The DC Mental Health Consumers League (The League) is pleased to work with DMH to develop appropriate tools and resources for appropriate consumer education about mental illness and appropriate medication management.  We enthusiastically endorse your grant to NIMH/SAMHSA seeking funds to support  the planning of implementation activities for consumer peer education in an urban, ethnically diverse population of adults with serious mental illness. 

 

The League looks forward to participating as a stakeholder in planning the implementation of an evidence based practice that is adapted to address the unique needs of the District’s citizens with serious mental illness.  Our expertise in producing a range of materials for persons with all levels of literacy will address one potential barrier to successful medication use and recovery for adults with serious mental illness in the District.  For nearly a decade The League as the District’s first consumer owned and operated non-profit has been in the forefront of consumer education and wishes to be involved in all phases of this process (not just in the grant acquisition).

 

We support DMH’s effort to launch such a consumer empowerment, decision making,  and psychoeducation initiative as part of its broader system redesign effort.   We are eager to be a decision making partner in improved service delivery and treatment outcomes for citizens of the District who seek help with DMH.

 

Please feel free to contact me, should you need further information.  Best of luck on your pursuit of the NIMH/SAMHSA planning grant.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jesse J. Price, Sr. President

DC Mental Health Consumers League

 

Cc: Members of the Board of Directors DC Mental Health Consumers League