FLiCA stands for the combined FL-CA project.

The PEER Center in Fort Lauderdale is one of the largest consumer-operated programs in the nation, with over 2000 members. Open 7 days a week, the drop-in provides recreational and educational activities, peer support groups, washers and dryers, showers, snacks, bus passes, and a pool hall. Other programs are crisis services and a thrift shop. A housing program, with case manager, helps people find an apartment and furniture. A full-scale printing operation, with job coach, includes sheltered employment. A computer lab refurbishes computers and sells them to consumers at low cost. The PEER Center partners with Henderson Mental Health Center. Call 954-202-7867 or browse http://www.peercenter.org.

Here are the Minutes from our first joint meeting, July 13, 2000: FL Present: Neftali Alvarado, Matt Barron, Sally Clay, Malcolm Davidson, Martha Diaz, Eric Hedin, Bobby Hernandez, Linda Marsh, Sandra Opara, Elvira Sears, Ann Loder, Paul Collins, Nancy Balenger

CA Present: Carla McSweeney, Norm Garrett, Bonnie Schell, Steve Law, Greg Warren, Matt Davis, Hai Tran, Susan Ashworth, Adrienne Bolles, Michael Roberts

At an agreed-upon time (11:00 a.m. PDT/2:00 p.m. EDT), the Consumer Advisory Boards of MHCAN in Santa Cruz and the PEER Center in Fort Lauderdale met at their respective drop-in centers to engage in our first transcontinental teleconference.

Connected via Polycom SoundStations, the two groups spent the first half of the meeting in individual introductions and in questions and answers about the two organizations. The MHCAN members expressed interest in DRA (dual diagnosis for mental illness and addictions) support groups and other groups such as coping and living skills that are offered at both of the centers. Both centers offer services for homeless members, and MHCAN members were particularly concerned about the need for affordable housing in Santa Cruz, which has reached crisis proportions. The PEER Center housing department can generally find a 2-bedroom apartment for $600, which is shared by two people. One bedrooms in Santa Cruz are going for $800 except for the limited number of HUD and M.H. supported housing spots. The PEER Center hosts about 100 people a day in the Drop-In, whereas about 38 people come to MHCAN.

Computer Lab Manager Paul Collins (FL) and Communications Liaison Greg Warren (CA) shared information about the popularity of the computer labs at both sites. One MHCAN computer user said he is sometimes called "The Lonely Geek," and is thinking of starting a service called "Rent a Geek." Another called himself "Geekmeister." Santa Cruz has seven computers, 4 printers, and other equipment, and the PEER Center has similar equipment, with15 people a day using the lab in both locations.

The second half of the two-hour meeting was allocated to a discussion of research activities at both sites. Interviewers Norm Garrett (CA) and Nancy Balenger (CA) discussed their experiences in recruitment and interviewing. PEER Center staff noted that in Florida we are having difficulty with recruiting people. Norm said that he has had no trouble with this. He described his method, which includes having the doctors page him when a client comes, and stationing himself at the TMHS so the doctor can make the introduction. Norm said he will e-mail a description of his methods for the Florida staff, and Sally suggested that we have a team teleconference soon to cover such issues.

Bonnie questioned how to avoid bias when people attend the COS. Clients are used to going up to the receptionist and explaining that a case manager or a COSP interviewer referred them. How does the research staff follow a particular client to collect information for the Cost Study without revealing that the person is in the study? How can staff keep the client engaged and supported without bias or favoritism? How should the research team address complaints that the clients may have about the COS? Sally suggested that data gathering and some of the engagement contacts are done in FL by research staff rather than program staff, so this avoids some of the bias problem.

At this point in the discussion, Sally accidentally cut off the connection by switching off the surge protector. By the time we got reconnected, some members had left, but we nevertheless finished up by discussing future plans for our mutual communications. Bonnie suggested that we set up different topics for discussion, such as housing and homelessness. Such a discussion could be carried out on a message board, the FliCA Hotmail list, or even by a mailing list, if enough members could get e-mail addresses of their own. It was suggested to put links to each other's web sites on the home pages for the PEER Center and MHCAN. Ann Loder recommended that we all check out the Alaska consumer site for some good ideas. In the meantime, some pictures of PEER Center members will be posted on www.peercenter.org, and Bonnie will send pictures of MHCAN CAB members. CA borrowed a digital camera from a community member for the event. We will continue thinking of ideas, and at the next meeting, Paul will bring the new camera and will take some more formal pictures of FL CAB members.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, August 10, at 2:00 p.m. EDT /11:00 a.m. PDT.

- Submitted by CAB Facilitators Sally Clay and Bonnie Schell