Objective A: Assure mental health stakeholders are active collaborators in the mental health service system in order to provide the best possible system of care.

Discussion

As noted in the introduction to this section, advocates, consumers and family members are encouraged to become full participants in the mental health system, from policy making, planning and evaluation to individual treatment planning. Established agencies can facilitate this level of consumer and advocacy participation.

Actions

1. Encourage the participation of consumers and family members in all levels of service delivery, including policy making, planning and service design and evaluation. Explore compensation for consumer participants on official committees, for example, for child care expenses.
Responsible party: Alaska Mental Health Board, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Education, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and other agencies

2. A children's specialist position will work with consumers, advocates and providers to identify a vision of system change for Alaska's mental health services for children which will be the basis for efforts to seek federal and other grant resources.
Responsible party: Alaska Mental Health Board, Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

3. Managed care contracts for private and public mental health services should include provisions for parent training, family support, and appeals and grievance procedures.
Responsible party: Department of Health and Social Services, Alaska Mental Health Board

4. Advocacy groups will provide tools to schools for awareness training to reduce stigma and as a resource for community education.
Responsible party: Advocacy groups

5. Assure that consumers and family members become a part of the mental health treatment system by employing trained consumers and family members as advocates within the system.
Responsible party: Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and service providers

6. Assure that family involvement in treatment is supported by policies and funding, for example, for family counseling.
Responsible party: Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Medical Assistance