The District of Columbia Department of Mental Health is joining with consumers of mental health services, mental health providers, advocates and government officials from the District, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>Maryland and Virginia on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, to develop recommendations to improve mental health care in the Washington Metropolitan area. The day long conference starts at 9 am, at The McClendon Center, located at 1313 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The event is free, but registration is required.

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Participants will discuss a wide range of issues including recovery education, multi-cultural/cultural competency, homelessness and housing, and jail diversion programs. Of particular focus will be discussing ways to ensure that consumers play a leading role in their own recovery and are included in policy and decision making.

Speakers include:
Dan Fisher, National Empowerment Center/ National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer-Survivor Organizations

Nathaniel Stanley, Coordinator, Best Health Project, The McClendon Center
Michael Sterling, Advocate, Consumer Action Network
Clarissa Netter, Director, Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, State of Maryland, Mental Hygiene Administration
Ann Benner, VOCAL Network Program Director

For more information and to register, email [email protected] or call (202) 236-7747.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

The conference is sponsored by the National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer-Survivor Organizations and co-sponsored by the Consumer Action Network; the Consumer Leadership Forum; On Our Own of Maryland, VOCAL Virginia, The McClendon Center, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the DC Department of Mental Health, Office of Consumer and Family Affairs. It is funded by the Consumer Health Foundation.