Social and Rehabilitation Services has contracted with the Self-Help Network Center for Community Support and Research at Wichita State University to provide support to current and prospective CROs.

The Self-Help Network Center currently provides the following support and leadership development for Consumer Run Organizations (CROs):

Support to Specific CROs The Self-Help Network maintains a 1-800 information telephone line so that CROs can easily contact the Self-Help Network. The Self-Help Network provides individualized telephone and face-to-face consultation in response to a wide range of questions and concerns regarding the start-up and management of existing CROs.

Educational Workshops/Conferences The Self-Help Network provides an annual Request For Proposal (RFP) workshop for all interested CRO applicants, an annual CRO Leadership Retreat, and four CRO Network meetings for funded CROs.

Facilitate the Development of a Statewide CRO Network The Self-Help Network is working with SRS funded CROs to establish improved lines of communication including consumer-to- consumer shared expertise, mutual support activity, development of a “shared expertise” between CROs, and establishment of an e-mail list serve for CROs.

Identify Best Practices and Develop a CRO Management Workbook The Self-Help Network continuously updates a workbook that includes successful management tools and practices used by CROs in Kansas and new information needed by established or developing CROs.

Explore and Identify Other Potential Sources of Funding/Resources for CROs The Self-Help Network helps CROs in Kansas build the capacity to access resources in addition to those provided by SRS.

Statewide Consumer Run Recovery Conference The Self-Help Network, in conjunction with the Kansas Consumer Advisory Council and CRO leadership, helps organize the Kansas Recovery Conference.

Research The Self-Help Network has initiated a plan to improve performance feedback for CROs, to evaluate the value of individual CROs in the lives of members, and to assess the impact of CROs on the Mental Health System in Kansas.