Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health (AMH) welcomes volunteers who are 18 or over and Mecklenburg County residents. There are several opportunities to participate on committees that work to improve the way services are delivered to consumers.

The Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) is a state-required committee composed only of persons (or their immediate family members) who have received mental health, substance abuse or developmental disability/traumatic brain injury services from any provider.

• The committee advises AMH on policies and procedures to ensure that they are user-friendly and that they promote consumer satisfaction and success. It reports to the County Commission and State about the AMH's progress towards meeting its Local Business Plan goals.

• It meets monthly on the third Thursday, 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Members receive a small stipend and may receive help with expenses for child or senior care and transportation for meetings. The meetings are open to the public. 

• There are additional educational opportunities for members.

The Client Rights Committee is a working committee of professionals, consumers, family members and interested citizens. The committee ensures that the rights of persons receiving services are respected.

• The committee hears complaints and grievances; oversees investigations into possible consumer rights violations; monitors incident reports and makes recommendations to the Quality Improvement Committee and the Area Mental Health Director.

• The committee meets on a schedule determined by its members.

A Request for Proposal Community and Consumer Review Team is a working committee of professionals from community mental health, developmental disability or substance abuse providers, advocates and consumers and/or family members.

• This committee reviews proposals from agencies that are responding to a request from the Area Mental Health for new or expanded services for consumers.

• Meetings are scheduled as needed. Each review team usually meets twice. Members must read and score proposals and make a joint recommendation to the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee.

All committees meet at the Sam Billings Center, 429 Billingsley Rd., 28211.

There are additional opportunities for consumers and their family members to serve on focus groups, quality improvement projects and other workgroups. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out a volunteer application, print send to: Dennis Knasel, Director-Consumer Affairs and Community Services at 704-336-4441; 429 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211