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Mission Statement:
The Empowerment Council is a
voice for clients/survivors and ex-clients of mental health and
addiction services, primarily of CAMH.
Statement
of Purpose:
To conduct system wide advocacy
on behalf of clients and ex-clients.
From the CAMH/EC Memorandum of
Understanding: "CAMH and the Empowerment Council acknowledge the key
role played by clients in the ability of CAMH to deliver client centred
care."
The
Organization
The Empowerment Council takes
its direction from clients and is funded by CAMH. The EC is an
independent incorporated organization consisting entirely of people who
have received mental health or/and addiction services. The EC client
membership elects a Board of 10 people, two from each of the four CAMH
sites, and two from the community. The EC staff consists of a full-time
Coordinator and two half time Outreach workers. At this time there is
also an additional half time position dedicated to teaching the CAMH
Bill of Client Rights.
The Empowerment Council
Agenda:
Within the limits of the resources of the organization.
Advocacy
The Empowerment Council will:
- Advocate on a systemic level (e.g. to C.A.M.H., various
levels of government, in the judicial system) on behalf of addiction
and mental health clients. The EC will place clients self identified
needs first, and communicate through various means for greatest
effectiveness.
- Consolidate the client voice through consultations,
surveys, election of representatives
Please note that while it is
helpful to know of individual advocacy issues to inform the EC voice on
clients' behalf, the Empowerment Council does not conduct individual
advocacy - for this we refer people to the Patient Advocate Office or
the Client Relations Coordinator
Representation
The Empowerment Council will:
- Ensure the representation of the client perspective at CAMH
through significant participation on relevant committees, work groups,
and other decision-making and accountability structures.
- Communicate with clients on committees, and evaluate the
influence of client involvement on CAMH policies and practices
Outreach and Community
Development
The Empowerment Council will:
- Conduct outreach and community development with mental
health and addiction clients of CAMH through site visits, meetings,
consultations, events, etc.
Education and
Information Sharing
The Empowerment Council will:
- Ensure client access to information, and educate clients in
regard to choices, rights, self-advocacy, critical thinking, and other
critical aspects of self-empowerment.
- Educate, sensitize, and provide training to mental health
professionals, addiction workers, and other members of the community.
Examples of Empowerment
Council Accomplishments
- Negotiating the CAMH Bill of Client Rights, teaching staff
and clients about Bill
- Developing, with CAMH, Policy of Clients on CAMH Committees
- Submissions and Deputations to Federal and Provincial
Parliamentary Committees and Senate Committees
- Intervening in judicial and quasi judicial proceedings
effecting people with addictions and people in mental health system
- Educating clients, staff, students and the general public
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