Local Mental Health Advisory Council
Purpose
Citizen involvement on County committees is an important and integral link in our government system.
The purpose of an advisory committee is to bring the community perspective and to provide advice or make recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners on issues presented to the Committee by the responsible department. This Advisory Committee is established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 245.466, subd. 5. The Mental Health Advisory Committee has the following responsibilities:
To review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the local mental health system. Annually, arrange for input from the regional treatment center review board regarding coordination of care between the regional treatment center and community-based services. Annually, arrange for input from local system of care providers regarding coordination of care between services. Identify, for the County Board, the individuals, providers, agencies, and associations to receive information on predictors and symptoms of emotional disturbances, where mental health services are available in the County, and how to access the services.
Advisory Committees or Boards do not establish county or department policy, determine budget or resource allocations, or direct the operations of the department. These remain the sole responsibility of the County Board, the County Administrator, and the appointed Department Head.
Composition
The Mental Health Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the County Board and consists of no fewer than fifteen (15) and no more than twenty-five (25) members. Committee members, other than mental health professionals, must be residents of Washington County. Membership on the Advisory Committee is from the following:
Consumer(s) of mental health services; Family members(s) of a mentally ill person; Child mental health professional; Adult mental health professional; Other mental health professional - outside community support services representative; Five commissioner representatives, one from each district; Human Services, Inc. Board representative; Children's Mental Health Collaborative representative; Alliance for the Mentally Ill representative; Staff member of Community Services Chaplaincy representative; Law Enforcement Representative
The County Board will designate one (1) commissioner to serve as a contact to the Advisory Committee.
Procedure for Appointment
Applicants for County Commissioner representative membership must complete the required County application for appointment to a committee/commission and submit any background information requested. Interested applicants for all other categories of membership will be solicited by the Department of Community Services, who will then provide a recommendation for appointment to the Washington County Board. The County Board, at its discretion, may interview any applicant seeking appointment to the Mental Health Advisory Committee in advance of an appointment decision being made.
Task Forces and Subcommittees
The Mental Health Advisory Committee may, from time to time, establish additional task forces or subcommittees to study a special issue or conduct special projects. The membership shall serve only for the time necessary to study and report on such issues or to complete the assigned project. Additional community representation may be sought for participation in the task force or subcommittee to provide expertise or resources needed for successful completion. These additional representatives are considered adhoc and do not have voting privileges in the task force or subcommittee.
Terms
Members serve for a term of three years from the date of their appointment and are eligible for a total of two (2) terms (total of six years of service). Terms will be staggered to provide continuity on the Advisory Committee.
Even though a member may be appointed (or reappointed) to a term on the Mental Health Advisory Committee, the County Board, at its discretion, may replace the member at any time, when, in the opinion of the County Board or County Commissioner appointing the member, it is in the best interests of the County to do so.
Meeting Requirements
Meetings of the Advisory Committee are quarterly or at such times and places as designated by the Department. The Mental Health Advisory Committee normally meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Remuneration
Members of the Mental Health Advisory Committee are eligible to receive meeting per diem and mileage reimbursement at the rate established by the County Board.
Operating Procedures
The Advisory Committee will operate in accordance with operating procedures established by the County.
