Consumer, parent and others sought for state mental health boards

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health and the Subcommittee on Children's Mental Health have vacancies beginning in January 2012.

The council and subcommittee advise the Governor and state departments on policies, programs and services affecting adults with mental illnesses and children with emotional disturbances. Each group consists of 30 members representing a variety of perspectives on the mental health system. Every two years, the council and subcommittee file a formal report of their recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. As a federally mandated council, it also provides input on the state’s mental health system for the federal government. The council also assists in coordinating the work of local advisory councils.

Terms of membership are four years. The following positions are up for appointment:

State Advisory Council:

Three consumers of mental health services

Two family members of persons with mental illnesses

A parent of a child with an emotional disturbance

A family physician

A representative of the discipline of psychology

A representative of the discipline of nursing

A metro county commissioner

Children’s Subcommittee:

Two representatives of advocacy groups for children who have emotional disturbances

Two parents of a child with an emotional disturbance

A person who works with children who have emotional disturbances who have committed status offenses

Urban and rural county social service agency representatives

A representative of a local corrections department

A representative of educators currently working with children who have emotional disturbances.

A person knowledgeable about the needs of children who have emotional disturbances of minority races and cultures

A hospital-based provider of children’s mental health services

A consumer of adolescent mental health services

A rural county commissioner

A state legislator

Any Minnesotan is eligible for membership. Appointments to the State Advisory Council are made by the Governor; appointments to the Children’s Subcommittee are made by the State Advisory Council.

The State Advisory Council was created by state and federal law to provide recommendations on mental health services to state departments, the governor, and the legislature. The law requires the Council to have a children’s subcommittee that provides advice to the Council about policies, programs and services affecting children with emotional disturbances. Mental health services helps thousands of people throughout the state reach their goals.

The council and subcommittee meet on the first Thursday of the month in St. Paul. In addition to reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meal expense, there is a per diem payment of $55 per meeting.

Applications are available the Secretary of State’s Office at http://www.sos.state.mn.us/, Open Commissions and Appointments. You may now apply online at Open Appointments Application. Applications and more information are also available at the State Advisory Council’s website: http://mentalhealth.dhs.state.mn.usApplications should be received by December 29.

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