This page contains a list of Center areas which
are actively seeking community support and volunteers:
Sign up to Volunteer: ATCMHMR has a full-time
Volunteer Coordinator who can assist in helping place volunteers
within areas of the Center that are needing assistance. For more
information, please call (512) 440-4036, send
an email or complete/return the Volunteer
Application (in a editable word format).
Planning & Network Advisory Committee
(PNAC)
Community input is vital to the work of Austin Travis County
Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (ATCMHMR) and the services
it offers to its stakeholders. One mechanism ATCMHMR utilizes to
involve consumers, family members and advocates in planning, which
ultimately influences policy development, is through its citizens’
advisory committee, PNAC. Authorized by the Board of Trustees (Board),
PNAC serves as a resource that makes recommendations to the Board
on the local service delivery system, including the Provider Network,
in the following areas: needs and priorities for the service area
and ATCMHMR, planning, budget, and contract issues; processes for
implementation of plans and contracts; and development, design,
management, and evaluation processes of the Provider Network.
Consumer Council
ATCMHMR is committed to fostering partnerships with consumers of
mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities services.
The Consumer Council has been established to provide a formal mechanism
for communicating information directly to the Center and the community.
Educating consumers to assume meaningful roles in the planning,
implementation and review of Center policies and programs is an
integral role of this Council. The membership of the Consumer Council
represents a culturally diverse cross-section of mental health,
substance abuse, and developmental disabilities consumers. The Council
provides education and support to consumers wishing to serve on
Center committees and become effective community advocates. Education
is also provided to empower members to learn more about their illness,
treatment, and recovery. Consumers are always encouraged to attend
meetings and become a member of the Council. The Consumer Council
meets every second Tuesday of the month from 12:30-2:30pm at 1430
Collier Street. Phone: (512) 440-7741. If you have questions or
need more information, please feel free to contact the Coordinator
of Consumer and Volunteer Initiatives at (512) 445-7741 or send
an e-mail.
New Milestones Foundation
The New Milestones Foundation works in partnership with ATCMHMR
to expand awareness, eradicate stigma, and raise funding to address
the needs of those in our community affected by developmental disabilities,
mental illness or substance use disorders. Founded in 1982, the
New Milestones Foundation was organized to oversee fundraising efforts
to promote and support ATCMHMR programs. It is a separate 50 (c)(3)
organization with an independent Board of Directors. The bylaws
state that up to four of the Directors may also be ATCMHMR. ATCMHMR's
Executive Director also serves as Director of the New Milestones
Foundation, and ATCMHMR staff support the Foundation. The vision
of the New Milestones Foundation is to build on its achievements
and to expand its fundraising and other community outreach efforts.
The Friendship Link
The Friendship Link is a mentor match program serving adults
diagnosed with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. Volunteers
are matched with ATCMHMR consumers who have similar leisure interests.
Friendship Link partners usually meet once a week for fun community
based activities. Mileage reimbursement is provided. Many other
volunteer opportunities are currently available at ATCMHMR to include
Garden Angels, Tutors, Friendly Visitors, Respite Care Recreation
Leaders and more! For more information please contact the Friendship
Link coordinator at (512) 440-4036 or click
here to send an email.
Good Chemistry Group
The Good Chemistry Group is a group for those who have
mental illness(es), substance abuse and dependence. It is not meant
to take the place of Alcoholics Anonymous or any other 12-step program,
but to supplement them. The first Good Chemistry group was started
in Austin, Texas in October 1990 by Dr. Debbie Webb and a small
group of men and women who have dual diagnoses. The early members
found out how important it is for us to have a safe place to come
and discuss common problems with others who really understand and
face the same challenges. The scales of balance were chosen as the
symbol of our groups because having "Good Chemistry" means
having balance in our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional
life. Click to view a Good
Chemistry Co-Leader Manual in a .pdf format (Note: document
is large and may take a few minutes to load). The Good Chemistry
Group takes place every Friday from 4-5pm at Alameda House located
at 4019 Manchaca Road, Building 4 in Austin (2 blocks north of Ben
White Blvd). For additional information call (512) 440-4056 or send
an email.
New Beginnings Pantry
The New Beginnings Pantry was started in 1999 and is completely
funded through donations to provide basic items (apartment start
up kits) to individuals moving into new homes. The pantry is operated
by Housing staff and volunteers. Due to recent national events and
the downturn in the Austin economy, the New Beginnings Pantry shelves
are almost bare. Any donations of goods or support to buy household
essentials for persons with mental illness will be greatly appreciated.
Stock donations are also accepted and are tax deductible at current
market value. For additional information please call (512) 804-3413
or click
here to send an email.
Good Neighbor Program
The Center has joined the Good Neighbor Program at Randalls
Supermarkets. Ask for your Remarkable Card to be linked to #9588.
Randalls will pay the Center 1% of your total purchase price (including
pharmacy items but excluding alcohol and tobacco products). Proceeds
will benefit the New Beginnings Housing Pantry. For further information,
please contact (512) 804-3414 or click
here to send an email.
East Austin Family Pantry
The East Austin Family Pantry (Family Pantry) is a collaboration
between ATCMHMR, The Arc of the Capital Area, Any Baby Can Child
& Family Resource Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Family
Pantry provides emergency assistance to adults and children who
meet the Pantry’s criteria. Good are provided free of charge.
The Family Pantry’s biggest needs include volunteer support
and in-kind donations. Items such as diapers, hygiene items, toilet
paper and cleaning products are always in constant demand. Please
call (512) 476-7044 ext. 222 for information on how to get involved.
VOICE Committee
For almost twenty years the Public Responsibility Committee served
as the vehicle through which consumers, their families or caregivers,
or the general public could get timely redress for their concerns
about Center policies or actions. When the Legislature officially
abolished Public Responsibility Committees in 1999, the Center created
VOICE, a volunteer committee with the stated purposes of serving
as a resource and advisor and making recommendations to the Director
related to consumer rights and consumer advocacy. The VOICE committee
works to protect, preserve, promote and advocate for the health,
safety, welfare and legal and human rights of Center consumers;
inquire into or investigate and respond to comments, suggestions
or complaints by Center consumers, their families or advocates;
ensure that consumers, and when appropriate, their families, are
informed of their rights and the means of protecting these rights.
Submit instances of abuse or other denial of rights to the appropriate
authorities for action. Click
here to send an email to obtain more information on the committee
or call (512) 440-4086.
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