Mental Health Advisory Committee

Purpose

The Mental Health Advisory Committee (local advisory committee) is established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 245.466, subd. 5. 

Responsibilities

The Mental Health Advisory Committee is responsible: 

• To review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the local mental health system.
• To arrange annually for input from the regional treatment center review board regarding coordination of care between the regional treatment center and community-based services.
• To arrange annually for input from local system of care providers regarding coordination of care between services.
• To 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.

Composition

The Mental Health Advisory Committee is appointed by the County Board. It consists of no less than 15 and no more than 25 members. Membership is from the following:

• Five commissioner representatives (one from each commissioner district).
• Consumer(s) of mental health services.
• Family members(s) of a person living with a mental illness.
• Child mental health professional.
• Adult mental health professional.
• Other mental health professional (outside community support services representative).
• Family Support Services representative.
• Children's Mental Health Collaborative representative.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness representative.
• Staff member of Washington County's Community Services Department.

The County Board designates one commissioner to serve as a contact to the advisory council.

Qualifications

Committee members, other than mental health professionals, are residents of Washington County.

Procedure for appointment

Applicants to represent a commissioner district must complete the required application for appointment to this committee. Submit any background information requested.

For all other categories of membership, interested applicants are solicited by the Community Services Department.  The provide will 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 Council.

Member terms

Members serve for a term of three years from the date of their appointment and are eligible for a total of two terms (total of six years of service). Terms are staggered to provide continuity on the advisory council.

Even though a member may be appointed (or reappointed) to a term on the Mental Health Advisory Council, 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 this council are held every two months, or at such times and places, as designated by the Community Services Department. The Mental Health Advisory Council meets the third Tuesday of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Government Center in Stillwater, MN. 

2023 Meeting Schedule

Task force and subcommittees

The Mental Health Advisory Council 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 ad hoc and do not have voting privileges in the task force or subcommittee.

Remuneration

Members are eligible to receive meeting per diem and mileage reimbursement at the rate established by the County Board.

Operating procedures

This advisory council operates in accordance with the operating procedures established by the county.