Jack Bucher

My involvement began as a consumer/survivor focused on developing a mutual-aid proposal to fund a mental health consumer/survivor statewide organization. The purpose was in response to a need for a more active role in facilitating innovative self-help activities. Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Inc. (CSP-NJ) is the primary mental health consumer/survivor run service provider in New Jersey. CSP-NJ was initiated in the fall of 1985 and became consumer/survivor directed in August 1990.

As Executive Director my administrative duties and responsibilities are:

• Administrative overview of CSP-NJ programs and activities
• Board of Trustees President of Butterfly Property Management, Inc.
• Facilitates and oversees the regional teams' supportive services
• Provides input working with the CSP-NJ Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and board's Standing Committees
• Participates with mental health systems advocacy
• Assists with mutual aid of various social/self help groups
• Participates on the agency Coordination Team
• Ensures all policies created by the board and staff of the agency are carried out

I am currently responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the agency including fiscal management, policy development, staff activity, community relations and other related initiatives/supports. I participate as a consumers/survivors organization on the following committees and boards:

• State Tasks Forces involvement with community mental health issues
• NJ Planning Council and Community Mental Health Board
• NJ DMHS Budget Oversight Committee
• NJ Protection and Advocacy Council
• Regional HUD 811 Project Boards
• Supportive Housing Association of NJ
• Wellness Standards committees
• Peer Outreach Support Team committees
• ADA Coalition
• NJ Mental Health Coalition
• Other Federal, statewide, regional, county and local committees as needed

We are supporting and developing a system in which consumers/survivors feel comfortable being involved in making policy by voicing their concerns on various boards, committees and advocacy groups. Also, we are working on expanding consumer/survivor self-help centers, peer support, Boarding Home Outreach and community supportive housing programs.

Jacob P. Bucher.

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