Science to service and service to science with Kansas consumer-run organizations

Consumer run organizations (CROs) are run by persons with severe and persistent mental illness and provide a place for those with mental illness to interact with others in the community. The Self-Help Network: Center for Community Support and Research at has been involved in several projects surrounding these organizations for a number of years. These projects have integrated scientific research with service to the organizations. One example provided includes an organizational health assessment (science) with individualized reports to each CRO (service). The other includes technical assistance provided to CROs (service) that incorporates the development of a tracking report (science). A current, ongoing project with CROs is described, which includes two components. The first component is to develop a best practices model, and the second component includes measuring the effectiveness of these organizations and their impact on members. This project will use various types of data collection and analyses, including member interviews, observational data, staff interviews, comparison data, and quantitative and qualitative analyses. In addition, the partnerships developed between the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Self-Help Network, and CROs is discussed.