President of Senate Appoints OLRS Commissioner
Patrick Risser was appointed to the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) Commission by the President of the Senate, Bill Harris, on December 18, 2008. He joins the seven-member Commission, the governing authority of OLRS. OLRS is an independent state agency and the protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in Ohio.
Risser's experience and background in the disability arena as a human rights activist and mental health advocate for over 20 years has earned him a national reputation as a trainer, facilitator, presenter, author and consultant. His special expertise is training on trauma issues, recovery, self-determination and on employing consumers as part of the mental health workforce.
Prior to returning to his hometown of Ashland, Ohio, Risser lived in California, Colorado and Oregon where he served on the state Mental Health Advisory Board in each of those states. In Ohio, Risser has been appointed to several state and local boards including OLRS' Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council.
Risser has received recognition at both the state and federal levels. He was the winner of the prestigious Clifford Beers Award from the National Mental Health Association in 2005. He was formally appointed as a consumer/survivor whose role was to advise the federal government on mental health consumer/survivor issues.
"Risser is a very talented individual who possesses a rich background in patient rights and self-direction. He understands the value of consumer driven advocacy. I look forward to Pat's involvement on the Commission," said Michael Kirkman, OLRS Executive Director.
"I am excited to be involved at the state level with an organization that provides client directed legal based advocacy to individuals with disabilities," commented Risser after learning of his appointment. "I would like to thank Senator Harris for this opportunity."
Risser's appointment to the Commission begins immediately and ends April, 2010. The OLRS Commission meets on a quarterly basis. Meeting dates are listed on the OLRS Web site in the Ohio Legal Rights Service Commission section.
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