Consumer Specialist:
The Consumer Specialist position is tasked with promoting meaningful consumer and family involvement in all aspects of service planning and delivery. The position is staffed by an individual with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges who brings the perspective of a consumer to Region 4.
The Consumer Specialist provides educational opportunities to consumers and the public to bring awareness to behavioral health topics. The opportunities facilitated by the Consumer Specialist include Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups, WRAP Facilitator training, Intentional Peer Support training, Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and self-advocacy workshops. In addition to facilitating workshops and classes, the Consumer Specialist creates opportunities for consumers to attend statewide and national conferences and workshops.
Another area of focus for the Consumer Specialist is to coordinate a network of Certified Peer Support and Wellness Specialists (CPSWS) in Region 4. A CPSWS is a person with lived experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges who has training and skills to use that experience to help others find recovery and wellness. The Consumer Specialist hosts two peer support co-reflection networking meetings each month. At these meetings, CPSWS have the opportunity to hone peer support skills and connect with other peer support specialists throughout the region.
The Consumer Specialist also conducts several focus groups across the region to gather direct input from consumers and family members. The focus groups take place in many different settings, including behavioral health provider organizations, public buildings such as libraries, and in county jails with the people who are incarcerated. The focus groups are asked questions about recovery and wellness, challenges and barriers to accessing behavioral health services, helpful and unhelpful behavioral health services, and meaningful consumer involvement in the planning and delivery of services.