Resource Organizations

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) works to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities and rights as people without disabilities to live full lives within their communities. The MDRC values grassroots efforts and economic self-sufficiency, encouraging people with disabilities to organize locally. Also, their Web site offers various resources, including information on housing and recovery.

The Herren Project
The Herren Project is a foundation created by Chris Herren, a former National Basketball Association basketball player, to help people and families working to address substance use disorders. Herren's own lived experience with a substance use disorder and working to recover and refocus his life has helped motivate him to educate others who are at risk and those individuals who are starting their recovery journeys. The Herren Project sponsors various youth-focused speaking engagements, educational forums, scholarships for basketball training, and help for people seeking assistance in recovery.

NFL Life Line
The NFL Life Line is a confidential and secure resource available 24/7 for current and former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, staff, and family members to call. It provides individuals in crisis with support from trained counselors who help them address personal and emotional challenges. The NFL Life Line Web site includes brief videos of encouragement from current and former NFL players, crisis resources, and a section that outlines various signs and symptoms that indicate when additional support is needed. Through contributions from other agencies such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the NFL Life Line has worked to reduce emotional distress, suicide ideation, and many of the specific issues experienced by many through a career in professional football.

National Association of County Behavioral Heath & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD)
The National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD) serves as a national voice for behavioral health and developmental disability authorities. The NACBHDD highlights directors' views on significant behavioral health-related issues to Congress and other Government officials. It also promotes policies that support counties in their efforts to help people impacted by mental and substance use disorders and developmental disabilities, as well as partnering with other organizations on issues related to funding, availability and quality of publicly funded behavioral health, and related supportive services.

ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership
The focus of the ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership is to serve as a place where leaders engaged in mental and substance use disorder-related issues can network with others in the field, promote evidence-based practices, and address key issues related to the field. On their Web site, the ACMHA shares information on current events to keep individuals informed of mental and substance use disorder-related presentations and/or initiatives, articles and reports of interest, and links to various mental health and peer-run organizations.

Mental Health Peer Connection
Mental Health Peer Connection is an agency made up of individuals in recovery who have a mental and/or substance use disorder. They work to provide support and empower others in recovery through peer mentoring and counseling, teaching independent living skills, and providing information and referral.

Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP)
AHP is a consulting and research firm that works on issues in physical and behavioral health. AHP develops publications, available through its Web site, to support individuals in recovery and those who provide health services or manage programs related to recovery from mental and substance use disorders. AHP provides research and evaluation, technical assistance and training, and recommendations for program and research development.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Center for Integrated Health Solutions
According to its Web site, "The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, whether seen in specialty behavioral health or primary care provider settings." They provide training and technical assistance to over 60 community health organizations, including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grantees and the general public. They offer learning experiences for individuals and groups, as well as tools and curricula. The Center helps to train more people to work with those with mental and substance use disorders and to deepen healthcare providers? understanding of wellness and recovery from mental and substance use disorders.

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare works to ensure that indiviudals with mental and substance use disorders have access to quality healthcare services. The National Council advocates for public policy related to mental and substance use disorders and provides educational resources to assist their members in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their services.

Projects to Empower and Organize the Psychiatrically Labeled (PEOPLe)
This nonprofit organization seeks to empower and advocate for individuals with mental disorders. They also work to educate the public about mental disorders to address negative beliefs and harmful attitudes. Their services include hospital diversion services, employment services, supportive housing, peer support, self and systems advocacy, and suicide prevention.

The Sidney Baer Center
The Sidney Baer Center, a new center within Fountain House, is a group practice of doctors where psychiatrists and general practitioners work in a collaborative and coordinated manner to provide integrated, client-centered, care to individuals with mental and substance use disorders. Positive outcomes have included a 50% reduction in hospital stays and a 20% reduction in use of high cost services, such as inpatient care and emergency room treatment, for those receiving services at the center.

Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion is a not-for-profit company in the United Kingdom dedicated to tackling disadvantage and promoting social justice. The Centre works with the government, interest groups, businesses, and the public sector to offer research and policy services and training and consultation. Key areas of social policy expertise include welfare to work, homelessness, criminal justice, and social exclusion. The Centre's new Web site, InclusionUS, can be accessed at http://socialinclusionus.org.

Think Cultural Health
The Think Cultural Health Web site seeks to enhance the quality of health care services to diverse populations by offering current resources and tools to promote cultural competency in health care. These resources include accredited online continuing education courses and professional guides and information.

National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA)
The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) represents and supports Latinos affected by mental and substance use disorders. The NLBHA offers programs which address disparities that exist for people with mental and substance use disorders in the Latino community. These programs focus on access, treatment providers, and practice-based research. Also, the NLBHA Web site offers publications and information on the latest news and events on mental and substance use disorders topics.

National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED)
The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED) was established with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in partnership with the National Alliance of Multi-ethnic Behavioral Health Associations. NNED is dedicated to promoting equality for behavioral health services for individuals, families, and communities. It aims to promote policies, practices, standards, and research to eliminate behavioral health disparities through the development of a diverse national network of racial, ethnic, cultural, and sexual minority communities and organizations. NNED works with network members to share community-based knowledge of and training in multicultural and community-based practices, encourage collaboration, and research and design best practices.

Hearts & Ears, Inc.
Hearts & Ears, Inc. is a nonprofit organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people with behavioral health problems and concerns. Hearts & Ears, Inc. strives to be a place where LGBTQ individuals feel safe and supported. The organization offers resources and information including referrals to general health and mental health providers, housing, education, and food and clothing assistance that is conscious of the specific needs and challenges of the LGBTQ community.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (TA Partnership)
This Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-funded organization provides technical assistance to help communities build systems of care. The Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (TA Partnership) assists communities in developing and implementing a broad range of community- and strength-based services to improve outcomes for children with behavioral health problems and their families. Resources provided include consultation, communities of practice, and a newsletter. In addition, this organization provides access to content specialists with experience in a variety of areas including child welfare, cultural and linguistic competence, and mental health and substance abuse.

The Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD)
The Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) views local assets as the foundation for sustainable community development. ABCD works directly with community groups to support their efforts toward developing asset-based community projects. The organization works specifically with several broad types of community building: building community capacity; working with community members to conduct research and direct work with local students, faculty, and local organizations to further ABCD efforts; and developing publications and resources for professionals and scholars in the community.

Legal Action Center
The Legal Action Center (LAC) is a non-profit law and policy organization dedicated to fighting discrimination against people with histories of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records, and advocating for fair public policies on these topics. The LAC works to help individuals maintain dignity and fully participate in society. Through their website they provide free publications, webinars, training/technical assistance, information on how to obtain legal services, and advocacy toolkits to address and counter barriers faced by those with a history of addiction, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records.

SAMHSA's Partners for Recovery
SAMHSA's Partners for Recovery (PFR) seeks to better services and systems of care and supports and provide resources to services that work to prevent and treat behavioral health problems. PFR does this with a focus on five key areas: recovery, cross-systems collaboration, stigma reduction, workforce development, and leadership development. PFR works with different programs, including community partners and Federal agencies, to address the needs of those with or at risk of substance use conditions. PFR also develops technical resources and provides informration and tools to recovering individuals, providers, and state and local governments to respond to stigma.

State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS)
The State Associates for Addiction Services (SAAS) seeks to ensure that individuals have full access to quality substance use treatment, prevention, and education throughouth the U.S. The SAAS also works to ensure the availability and to inform consumers and providers of these services through their National Advocacy Campaign, national conferences, E-Newsletter, and provider resources.

SAMHSA's Co-Occuring and Homeless Activities Branch (CHAB)
SAMHSA's Co-Occuring and Homeless Activities Branch (CHAB) supports the work of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment by promoting a public health approach to systems of care for persons with co-occurring disorders and persons who are homeless. CHAB develops policies and plans for the successful implementation of its programs; funds and oversees contracts and grant programs; provides technical assistance; and maintains and distributes information related to co-occurring and homeless issues.

SAMHSA's Co-Occurring Disorders Integration & Innovation
SAMHSA's Co-Occurring Disorders Integration & Innovation provides information and resources to promote access to effective integrated services for people with co-occurring disorders (at least one mental health problem and at least one substance use disorder). A new version of the site is slated to appear soon. In its current form it offers a Contact Us link through which users can obtain additional information.

Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN)
The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) is a non-governmental organization that works to achieve full equality, inclusion, and discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in Ireland. It focuses on influencing policy and working with mainstream partner organizations. Its website features a section on behavioral health and well-being that includes a report and links to related organizations.

Erasing the Distance
Erasing the Distance is a Chicago-based theater company dedicated to shedding light on mental illness. The company tours its original productions, as well as facilitated audience dialogues, mental health trainings, and high quality mental health resource, to junior high and high schools, colleges and universities, places of worship, hospitals, community groups, and workplaces. Erasing the Distance also creates customized productions to help communities give voice to their own mental health stories and leads long term artistic residencies in schools.

Mental Health First Aid USA
Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour public education program operated by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. The course leads to certification for Mental Health First Aiders and educates the public about behavioral (mental and substance use) health problems in order to ensure public understanding and allow the public to appropriately respond to behavioral health problems.

Military Pathways
Military Pathways is a DoD-nonprofit collaboration with three primary goals: reduce negative perceptions, raise awareness about mental health, and connect those in need to available resources. Service members may log in and select an anonymous screening. The site then recommends next steps.

Vets4Vets
"Vets4Vets is an organization dedicated to using peer support to help Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans heal from the psychological injuries of war. The organization's primary goal is to help these veterans understand the value of peer support and to encourage them to regularly use peer support to express their emotions, manage their challenges, and ease their reintegration into society. "

Real Warriors Campaign
The Real Warriors Campaign is a program of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. It promotes the reintegration of returning service members with their families and communities.

National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
This organization focuses its efforts to reduce stigma and to educate the general public that alcoholism and other drug addictions are preventable and treatable. It has affiliates across the country; operates a 24-hour referral line; and provides education, information and services to address addiction and its social stigma.
244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-269-7797
Email: national@ncadd.org

Christopher D. Smithers Foundation
This organization concentrates its efforts on educating the public that alcoholism is a respectable, treatable disease from which people can and do recover; encouraging prevention programs and activities, with an emphasis on high risk populations; and continually fighting to reduce and eliminate the stigma that is associated with the disease of alcoholism.
Box 67
Mill Neck, NY 11765
Phone: 1-516-676-0067
Email: info@smithersfoundation.org

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
CADCA is a coordinating body of more than 5,000 coalition members from around the country, supports organizations with technical assistance and training, public policy, media strategies and marketing programs, and conferences.
625 Slaters Lane · Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 1-800-54-CADCA

National Association on Alcohol, Drugs, and Disability (NAADD)
The NAADD promotes awareness and education about addiction among people with co-existing disabilities.
2165 Bunker Hill Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402-3801
Phone: 650-578-8047
Email: solanda@sbcglobal.net

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) is a private, not-for-profit educational, scientific, and informational organization. It fosters the development of alcohol and drug addiction program capabilities in each state, facilitates the interstate exchange of information and program activities, and assists the federal and state governments in the creation of alcohol and drug addiction services.
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-293-0090
Email: dcoffice@nasadad.org

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), a division of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, maintains a website containing highlights of the national programs on addiction, a collection of research publications, and a searchable database with a wide variety of documents.

Treatment Improvement Exchange
The Treatment Improvement Exchange, is sponsored by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. It provides a one-stop web center for information and resources for advocacy groups and alcohol & drug addiction organizations.

Faces & Voices of Recovery
This is a national organization of individuals and organizations joining together to support local, state, regional and national recovery advocacy by increasing access to research, policy, organizing and technical support; facilitating relationships among local and regional groups; improving access to policymakers and the media; and providing a national rallying point for recovery advocates.
1010 Vermont Ave. #708
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-737-0690