About Us The Mental Health Outreach Partnership is a collaborative effort between faculty at the The University of Alabama and mental health professionals across the state of Alabama. MISSION To facilitate research, education, and outreach programs that improve the care of Alabama citizens in need of mental health services. VISION To develop a network of interdependent, cooperative, formal partnerships that focus on achieving the mission. STAKEHOLDERS Typical stakeholders from the University will include faculty from academic areas that are involved with research, education and outreach in the mental health field. Typical stakeholders from the professional community will include mental health centers, public health clinics, state agencies, physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, school psychologists, the Alabama Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Mental Health Associations, and representatives of established self-help organizations. STRUCTURE The Partnership's structure will reflect its commitment to collaboration and synergy. Two co-chairs will provide administrative coordination and leadership. One co-chair will be from the University and one will be from teh professional community. The co-chairs will serve for one year, with the leadership responsibility then rotating to a new pair of co-chairs. The academic unit within the University that is housing the co-chair will assume responsibility for administrative support for the Partnership for that year. An initial steering committee will be formed with faculty representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Commerce and Business Administration, the College of Community Health Sciences, the College of Nursing, the College of Education, the Law School, and the School of Social Work. Representatives from the Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, the Cahaba Mental Health Center, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the Mental Health Association of Tuscaloosa will serve for the professional community. The role of the Steering Committee is to provide fair and open communication that facilitates collaboration in research, education and outreach. Steering Committee meetings will be open to all interested faculty and professionals. The Steering Committee will establish a process for the organization of projects of information and bring together faculty and professionals who share common research, education and outreach interests.