Dear Members of Oregon’s Mental Health Recovery and Addictions Recovery Communities:

The Consumer/Survivor & Addictions Advisory Council is seeking applications for appointment to the Council from individuals representing all sectors of the Oregon mental health and addictions recovery community. The Consumer/Survivor & Addictions Advisory Council is a formal advisory body to the State Addictions and Mental Health Division (AMH) of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Oregon residents of all ages who are receiving, or have received, mental health or addiction services are eligible and encouraged to apply. Family members of qualifying youth who are under 16 years of age are also eligible and encouraged to apply. Up to 25 individuals will be appointed to Council seats through this application effort.

The Council has operated with an informal organizational structure since its inception in 2003. The Council is transitioning to a formal body in response to requirements specified in Oregon statute. The name of the Council in Oregon Revised Statute 430.073 is Consumer Advisory Council. Members will be appointed to the Council by Richard Harris, the OHA Assistant Director who oversees AMH.

It is crucial that the Consumer/Survivor & Addictions Advisory Council have a diverse membership. Efforts are being made in the membership recruitment process to ensure that the appointed members of the Council are representative of the diverse communities and groups of Oregon . This will provide AMH greater access to the full array of perspectives that exist within Oregon ‘s mental health and addictions recovery community. Toward this end, question number 11 of application provides the applicant an opportunity to share optional information about him or herself that may help the committee select nominees who collectively represent this array of perspectives.

Anyone who is receiving, or has received, either mental health or addiction services is encouraged to apply for membership of the Council, as are family members of qualifying youth under 16 years of age. It is highly important that the Council operate as a truly representative forum so that a voice is given to the whole spectrum of issues and concerns that are central to Oregon’s mental health and addictions peer communities.

The application is available on the AMH website. You may download an application using the following link:

http://egov.oregon.gov/DHS/mentalhealth/docs/csaac-app.doc

Please e-mail Michael Hlebechuk at Michael.Hlebechuk@state.or.us if you need assistance.

Instructions regarding the submission of your application are provided at the end of the application. We must have completed applications from individuals seeking consideration for appointment by 5:00 PM on January 14, 2010. We hope to be able to inform all applicants of their appointment status by January 28, 2010.

Thank you for your interest in shaping public mental health policy and working toward system change in Oregon . We look forward to receiving an application from you!

Yours sincerely,

Nominations Committee of the Oregon Consumer/Survivor Council