About Us

Connecting on a personal level is an important part of sharing ideas. On this page we'll present some details about our organization and the people behind it.

Our Staff

Gary J. Parker

Gary J. Parker is our Executive Director, and lives in Colby, Kansas. A former music teacher, Gary got involved with advocacy, due to his own illnesses dealing with major depression and hospitalizations. Gary spends his time travelling all across the state of Kansas and the country, being a vocal voice for adult consumers with mental illnesses. Gary has been with the CAC since it started in 2000. Gary serves as a mentor of the Leadership Academy, several subcommittees, and as advisor to Wings Upon the Prairie, his CRO located in Colby. Gary also serves on the Governor's Mental Health Services Planning Council (GMHSPC) representing Adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illnesses.

Cherie Bledsoe

Cherie Bledsoe is our Assistant Director, and lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Cherie assists our Executive Director, as well as our Leadership Academy Director. Cherie is an active voice at the local, state, and national levels. Cherie is a member of the Governor's Mental Health Services Planning Council, and is a member of the Transformation Subcommittee.

Koleen Garrison

Koleen Garrison is our Adminstrative Coordinator, and lives in Great Bend, Kansas. Koleen is a vital part of the organization, working closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the Leadership Academy classes. Koleen is also the editor of our newsletter, the "Kansas Consumer Connection." At the state level, Koleen is a member of the Transformation Subcommittee of the GMHSPC.

Su Budd

Su Budd is our Leadership Academy Director, and lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Su is one of the founders of the Consumer Movement at the national level. Su designed our Leadership Academy, which is a nine month long academy. Currently, 25 students are enrolled for the FY '09 class. Su stays very busy, being an active participant with the CAC, as well as recently being part of the planning committee for the 2007 Alternatives Conference, held in St. Louis.

Our Programs

The Kansas Consumer Advisory Council hosts a variety of programs throughout the year. These include:

Leadership Academy - A two-month course consisting of two three-day long sessions, held in Wichita and a service project done in the participant's community,
Leadership in Action -the WV Leadership Academy Model (a 3 day course, which will be held once - twice a year in various locations across the state,
Knowledge Based Expansion Project - mini summits held across the state, discussing various topics related to current mental health issues, and
Our Annual Kansas Recovery Conference - a three day conference held each June in Wichita. This conference is one of the largest consumer conferences in the nation, hosting more than 800 attendees in 2009, nationally recognized keynote speakers, a wide variety of workshops, and lots of CELEBRATIONS and ACTIVITIES!.

Our Location

The Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Inc., is located within the Center for Community Support and Research building in Wichita, Kansas. We can be found on the first floor.

Our physical address is:

Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Inc.
358 North Main
Wichita, Kansas 67202
316-978-5842

Mail can be sent to the above, as well as to:

Kansas CAC
PO Box 485
Colby, Kansas 67701

E-mail Address:
kansascac@sbcglobal.net

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This web site is made possible with funding from Kansas SRS Division of Disability and Behavioral Health Services, and Wichita State University (Center for Community Support and Research).