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Start a CRO

Are you planning to start a CRO? Here are ideas for first steps in developing a CRO. These steps are especially important if you plan to seek Kansas SRS funding for your CRO.

  • Start With Mutual Support - CCSR encourages consumers to build strong relationships, share meals, peer support, and activities together as you work to form a CRO. Strong, mutually supportive friendships will carry you through stressful times should they occur. The CCSR and MHCRONK have ideas and activities for building teamwork.

  • Visit Other CROs - Kansas boasts a strong network of CROs that are always happy to help one another. CCSR can connect you with other CROs in your area and to the Mental Health Consumer Run Network of Kansas (MHCRONK), a state organization that supports the growth of CROs. MHCRONK can help provide consumer experts and start-up funds to support your effort.

  • Start With a Clear Vision - CCSR and MHCRONK can help you create a vision and mission for your Consumer Run Organization. This will guide you as you create your organization.

  • Take Care of Business - CCSR and MHCRONK can help CROs develop bylaws, establish a board of directors, incorporate with the State of Kansas, and apply for IRS nonprofit status. . We offer information and examples of successful management tools and practices used by established as well as developing CROs.

  • Build Community Relationships - As a newly developing nonprofit, your CRO needs to build partnerships in the community. A CRO must operate independently but no organization is an island! The local mental health center, NAMI group, churches, civic organizations, and businesses want to know about your plans and needs. Your board can decide as a group what help to accept and what help might reduce your independence as a truly consumer run operation.

  • Participate in Statewide Consumer Activities - CCSR and MHCRONK will keep you informed of opportunities to meet and learn with other CROs in Kansas and the nation.

  • Apply for Grants - SRS and CCSR provides training to help you apply for SRS funds, seek support from community partners, and pursue private foundations and businesses for support.

For more information, call Center for Community Support and Research at (316) 978-3843 or (800) 445-0116 (toll free in Kansas).