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Goal Achievement and the Accountability of Consumer-Run Organizations

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Abstract

This study explores how consumer-run organizations (CROs) can maintain independence while meeting the accountability needs of funding agencies. The importance of both funding agency needs for accountability and CRO needs for independence are discussed. A goal-tracking process is proposed as a potential strategy for balancing the potentially conflicting needs of accountability and independence. To demonstrate the utility of the goal tracking approach, this study analyzes goal tracking documentation in 3 years of quarterly reports from 21 CROs (also known as consumer drop-in centers and self-help agencies). Results detail the different goals of CROs. A 68% goal achievement rate suggests general organizational competence. Furthermore, CRO operations appear to be relatively cost-efficient, with an average of $11.51 spent per person per day. The analysis of quarterly reports leads to a discussion of several insights that may be useful to CROs, funding agencies, researchers, and mental health professionals.

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Acknowledgements

Support for this research comes from Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services, Division of Mental Health. The authors would also like to thank Louis Medvene for his feedback on earlier versions of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Louis D. Brown PhD

  2. Self-Help Network: Center for Community Support & Research, Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount Box 201, Wichita, KS, 67260, USA

    Matthew D. Shepherd PhD, Scott A. Wituk PhD & Greg Meissen PhD

Authors
  1. Louis D. Brown PhD
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  2. Matthew D. Shepherd PhD
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  3. Scott A. Wituk PhD
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  4. Greg Meissen PhD
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Correspondence to Louis D. Brown PhD.

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Brown, L.D., Shepherd, M.D., Wituk, S.A. et al. Goal Achievement and the Accountability of Consumer-Run Organizations. J Behav Health Serv Res 34, 73–82 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-006-9046-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-006-9046-y

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