Consumer Quality Initiatives
Consumer Quality Initiatives is a consumer operated organization whose
mission is to improve the condition of mental health services in massachusetts through research and evaluation. CQI achieves this through
focus groups with mental health consumers and their family members using semi structured surveys and interview guides the eventual goal being to form an in-depth data-driven report. CQI uses a Community-based Participatory Action Research framework designed to impact policy and practice directly. CQI also consults nationally and locally on increasing involvement of consumers in the "change" process to encourage mental health systems transformation and improvement in quality.
CQI's mission and objectives are directly responsive to the 2003 President's New Freedom Commission report's call for a "consumer-driven" mental health system of care, with a specific reference to consumer led research and evaluation.