Notably, in 2006, the N.C. General Assembly passed Session Law 2006-142, HB 2077 which legally instituted Consumer and Family Advisory Committees as self-governing and self-directed organizations charged with advising local area authorities about planning and management of the local services system.
The Mecklenburg CFAC has always had a mutually respectful and constructive relationship with Grayce Crockett, AMHA director and her leadership team. The volunteer committee, composed only of consumers or family members of consumers, continues to have a major voice in developing policies and procedures that directly affect consumers and families and in monitoring activities designed to measure and improve quality and consumer satisfaction with services. AMHA supports CFAC as a partner in creating a changed and strengthened system of services and supports that are centered on consumers' goals for their lives, responsive to consumers' concerns and needs, and welcoming to consumer involvement at every level.
While the state reform begun in 2001 has been uneven, and in many ways, has not lived up to its promise, CFAC applauds the resilience of AMHA during this time of transition and the positive local changes occurring at AMHA and with many providers. There has been much hard work and collaboration to make the changes mandated by the state occur as smoothly as possible. Changes include:
Enhanced access through the Screening Triage and Referral Call Center
Expanded consumer choice in service providers
Expanded services: crisis services, Community Mental Health Recovery Collaborative; peer "warm line" service for mental health consumers, transitional housing, and long term vocational support
Increased meaningful involvement of CFAC and other consumers and families in planning and decision making and monitoring the quality of services
Enhanced understanding among consumers about their rights including their right to change providers
Increased focus on collecting data about outcomes
Focus on person-centered planning and best practices
CFAC makes annual written reports to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and quarterly reports to the state and works with commissioners, state staff, the State CFAC and legislators on specific issues. CFAC hopes to expand its policy advocacy so commissioners and state policy makers better understand Mecklenburg consumers' strengths and needs and the vital supports provided through AMHA that lead to recovery and greater independence.
A copy of the 2005-2006 CFAC Annual Report to the Board of County Commissioners is available by contacting Barbara Cross at 704-336-7462.
