Client and Family Advisory Committee

Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County Branch (CMHA SCB) is committed to engaging with clients and family caregivers to understand their diverse needs while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals can easily access high-quality mental health and addiction services and supports that empower them.

We are passionate about providing person-centred mental health and addiction services and supports. We have a unique collaborative opportunity for clients and family caregivers. Our Client & Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) provides guidance for programs and services to improve and enhance the care experience for all clients and family caregivers.

The Client Family Advisor role is a voluntary experience that will provide a place to share your mental health and addiction care stories, opinions, perspectives, and lived experiences to help guide, shape and co-design our policies, programs and quality improvement initiatives that influence our client and family care across Simcoe County.

Responsibilities & Opportunities

• Share your client or family caregiver experience and ideas to help inform new mental health and addiction support policies, programs and services.
• Inform the development of CMHA SCB quality improvement initiatives that directly impact the client and family caregiver care experience.
• Serve as a voice for clients and family caregivers to ensure CMHA SCB provides the highest quality of care possible.
• Engage in consultation to make recommendations and suggestions for community education and awareness events.
• Meet others who are excited about improving the mental health and addiction service experience at CMHA SCB.
• Able to see beyond your own personal experience and are committed to enhancing care service experiences for all clients and family caregivers.
• Open-minded and solution-oriented with a positive attitude.
• Able to speak in a group or in front of others.
• Empathic, non-judgmental and respectful of diverse opinions and experiences.
• Have the willingness to participate at committee meetings actively and be open to learning

Membership

• Clients who are currently receiving or have received care services within the past three years from CMHA Simcoe County Branch.
• Family caregivers who are currently receiving or have received support while supporting their loved one within the past three years from CMHA Simcoe County Branch.
• Aim to have client and family caregiver representation from all programs within CMHA Simcoe County Branch.
• Members will serve a one-year term that will be annually reviewed and renewed.
• Membership is voluntary.

Meeting Schedule and Location

• Commit to attending afternoon committee meetings 4 times per year for a total of 8 hours per year. Additional meetings will be at the discretion of the Chair.
• Must have internet access and an understanding of Zoom to attend virtual meetings.

Ready to Become a Volunteer Client Family Advisor or have questions?

Contact Tara Maxwell at tmaxwell@cmhastarttalking.ca

Have questions? Please contact the Client & Family Advisory Committee’s Chairperson, Tara Maxwell at tmaxwell@cmhastarttalking.ca