Consumer Quality Initiatives is a mental health consumer-led research, evaluation, and quality improvement nonprofit organization in Massachusetts.  Our mission is to develop opportunities for the meaningful involvement of consumers and family members in all aspects of mental health research and program evaluation. 

CQI aims to study issues that are relevant to the community; initiate changes to improve the system for all; and narrow the gap between research, evaluation, and practice. 

CQI conducts research and evaluation projects that utilize a Community-based Participatory Action Research approach, a collaborative method that involves all partnering organizations and consumers in the research process, and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. 

A primary activity of CQI is to conduct personal interviews and focus groups with people with disabilities and/or their family members, using semi-structured surveys and interview guides, leading to in-depth data-driven reports and an emphasis on protocols designed to impact policy and practice directly.  CQI also consults locally and nationally on achieving significant involvement of consumers in the "change" process to promote mental health systems transformation and quality improvement.

CQI has been recognized by the National Assoc. of State Mental Health Program Directors as a best practice for "consumer involvement in evaluation of treatment services" Developing the DMH Research Agenda- Stakeholder Focus Groups This report is a collaborative effort of CQI and Dougherty Management Associates. Statewide consumer research priorities are listed herein, as well as many current mental health reearch projects taking place in Massachusetts. Our thanks to Mass. DMH for financial support and to Medical Director Mary Ellen Foti for her consistent support of community-driven mental health research. Photovoice Young Adult Project  Read More....			CQI Assistant Director, Melissa Goodman and others have published an important article on Participatory Program Evaluation:  Young Adults Value Participation, Meaningful Employment and Caring   Examining the Role of the Peer Specialist Working at a Day Treatment Program This report was completed for the Mass. Behavioral Health Partnership, based on interviews with consumers attending day programs with a peer component. We also make recommendations for future consideration.    Consumer-Led Evaluation Teams:A Peer-Led Approach to Assessing Consumer Experiences with Mental Health Services In 2009, CQI recently prepared a report for National Empowerment Center on best practices in consumer-run evaluation organizations. The report examines current consumer-run evaluation teams, identifies their core and innovative features, and presents recommendations for those planning to start a consumer-led evaluation team.