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Approve the reappointments of Elizabeth de la Torre and Denise Coleman to the Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB) for a three year term to expire July 25, 2020
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) requests that the Board approve the reappointments of Elizabeth de la Torre and Denise Coleman to serve on the Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB) for a three year term to expire July 25, 2020.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Welfare and Institutions code 5604-5604.5 specifies that the governing body of each County shall appoint a mental health board consisting of at least 10 members. The Solano County MHAB has been in existence since August 11, 1977 and consists of a diverse 11 membership roster including one position filled by a member of the Board of Supervisors, currently held by Supervisor Brown. Fifty percent of the MHAB's members are required to be direct mental health service consumers or family members of consumers who reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of Solano County.
Elizabeth de la Torre has over thirty years of experience working in the field of Human Services with over 20 of those years working with Mental Health/Behavioral Health as a consumer and advocate. Her focus has been inclusion of consumers in the process of establishing Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) protocols that are for “consumers about consumers.” Ms. de la Torre is dedicated to outreach in the underserved Latino communities and strives to eliminate stigma with regard to mental health issues. Ms. de la Torre’s goal is to continue as a voice for consumers and their families and would like to see consumers encouraged to be a voice in their own programs. As a mental health consumer she is a valuable part of the process.
Denise Coleman is a consumer of mental health services in the County and is also a family member with children who deal with disabilities and psychiatric challenges. Ms. Coleman’s participation will contribute to the board’s understanding of the consumer with experience as it pertains to the Solano County Mental Health Plan; and she is interested in serving on the MHAB to promote awareness and recovery. Ms. Coleman has “Peer to Peer” training, “Recovery Training”, and voluntarily facilitates connection groups with the Solano County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Solano County’s Behavioral Health Wellness & Recovery program.
These reappointments help to fill and establish an active membership for the MHAB and ensure continued participation. These reappointments submitted for the Board's approval are recommended by H&SS, the Behavioral Health Deputy Director and the existing members of the MHAB.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the County General Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve these reappointments. This is not recommended as H&SS and the MHAB approved and determined that Ms. De la Torre and Ms. Coleman qualify and have a desire to serve the County and its mental health consumers in this capacity.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The current members of the MHAB support the reappointment of Elizabeth de la Torre and Denise Coleman to serve on the Mental Health Advisory Board.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION