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Office of Consumer and Family Affairs Office of Consumer and Family Affairs

Mission:
The purpose of the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OFCA) is to empower consumers and family members by assuring their interests are represented and their input is considered in DMHA planning and policy development.

Mission In Action:
The goals of OFCA are summed up in four objectives:

  1. Providing an internal voice for consumers and family members within DMHA through participation in DMHA planning and policy development activities.
  2. Active liaison work with national, state, and local consumer and family organizations in order to establish ongoing communications, disseminate information, identify major issues and provide consultation, technical assistance, and ongoing support.
  3. Maintain a consumer council to advise DMHA, the DMHA Advisory Council, the DMHA Mental Health Planning Council, and the DMHA Addictions Council.
  4. Development, implementation, and monitoring of special projects, including focus groups to solicit consumer input on Olmstead planning and implementation. Identification, training and involvement of consumers in DMHA planning activities.

What Can We Offer You?
The Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) is committed to training consumers and families in effective advocacy skills. Advocacy and leadership training are a growing part of OCFA responsibilities. Advocacy training works to build the skills necessary to advocate on many levels, either to improve your personal medical treatment plan or to bring people together to work toward systems change. Training seminars are offered through the DMHA and address these different levels of advocacy. OCFA partners on training seminars with the Olmstead Coalition of Marion County, a coalition of the mental health organizations in Marion County.

Facts:

  • DMHA Office of Consumer and Family Affairs is committed to working with the broader disability community.
  • DMHA actively works with national, state, and local consumer and family organizations.
  • Consumers have multiple barriers to overcome when living in communities including: stigma associated with their illness, lack of income or a job, lack of appropriate health care, and a lack of housing.

Persons with disabilities should be able to:

  • Live in the most integrated setting
  • Live in safe, affordable housing
  • Choose appropriate health care
  • Obtain education and employment
  • Participate actively in the life of the community
  • Have the supports necessary to succeed

Contact Information:
Bruce VanDusen, Bureau Chief
Office of Consumer and Family Affairs
Division of Mental Health and Addiction
402 W. Washington St. W353
Indianapolis IN 46204
Phone: 317-232-7912
FAX: 317-233-3472
TDD: 317-232-7844