Peer/Consumer Run Boards
In many peer or consumer agencies the boards overseeing those agencies are boards on which consumers are in the majority. This can give a very necessary and important perspective on what people with mental health needs want their services to look like.
For a board to be considered a consumer or peer run board least 51% of the board membership must be comprised of people who have a mental illness/psychiatric diagnosis.
In some cases the boards are made up of people who receive their services or support from the organization.
In the state of Michigan, JIMHO (Justice in Mental Health Organization) offers training and support for consumer run/peer run organizations.
At times consumer run/peer organizations may be forced to add people from the community onto their boards. Depending upon what is expected, this may work better in some organizations than others, depending upon how much people from the community are able to understand the unique ways that Consumer Operated Service Programs (COSP) work. For the program to remain a consumer run COSP the board balance must be 51% consumer/peer.
COSP programs are:
- Administratively and financially controlled by persons participating in mental health services
- Are more than mental health services delivered by consumers as a result of being independent, peer run programs
- Generally offer mutual support, community-building and advocacy
- Delivered with a hopeful attitude and an expectation of recovery
- Consumers/peers are in control of the operating budget
- Consumers and consumer board members are responsible for making any hiring decisions
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Advisory Boards
Consumer/peer advisory boards are/must also be at least 51% filled with consumer/peers. Advisory board members give advice, feedback and ideas to the organization, and focus on issues that are relevant to the people being served:
- Policies that empower people being served
- Services that promote recovery
- Better communications between people being served and staff
- Training of staff in recovery principles
- Effective use of funds
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Michigan has a long history of peer run boards and peer run service delivery that is unique to Michigan. Maintaining fidelity to the at least 51% membership guideline is an important component, and is not negotiable when a consumer/peer board is considered to be the governing model.