Sacramento County Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee Charter VISION The Sacramento County Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee will lead the community in creating a comprehensive, integrated, culturally and linguistically responsive system of mental health services that promotes wellness, recovery, resilience, and consumer and family-driven services. The transformed system will be easy to access, responsive to consumers and family members, allow maximum consumer choice, and support integration into the community. Services will be research-based, innovative, effective and accountable. The new system will embrace prevention and early intervention and provide seamless services for individuals of all ages. Outcomes will be evaluated based on improvement in the quality of life of individuals served by the system. N/A MISSION STATEMENT To dramatically transform the Sacramento County mental health system so that all individuals with serious emotional disturbances and psychiatric disabilities achieve a high quality of life through prevention, early intervention and on-going innovative services provided within the local community. N/A VALUES 1. Everyone who needs help has access to a full array of timely, integrated, and high quality individualized services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and provided by a workforce that mirrors the cultural diversity of the Sacramento community. 2. A seamless system of coordinated services is available in community settings close to home that are accessible and welcoming to all clients. 3. Prevention and early intervention are fundamental to the service system. 4. Services build on cultural strengths and are consistent with the client s beliefs, values, healing traditions, language, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation and spirituality. 5. Individuals are treated with respect and afforded the opportunity for self-determination in an environment free of stigma and prejudice. 6. Services promote resilience and are recovery-centered and wellness focused with full integration into all aspects of community life as the ultimate goal. A consumer is defined as a person with lived experience of mental health issues. (Source: California Network of Mental Health Clients) 8/19/2010 1
7. The service system is innovative, accountable, and continually evaluated for effectiveness in improving the quality of life for the individuals served. 8. Consumers and their families have a primary role in planning and evaluating program and personal services in alliance with providers. N/A PURPOSE The MHSA Steering Committee makes program recommendations to the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services for MHSA funding. N/A ROLE The Steering Committee will: Effectively engage clients, family members, and other community stakeholders through a broad participation process, including the creation of workgroups, to develop Sacramento County s MHSA plans; Review and rank program proposals developed with stakeholder input; and Make specific program recommendations to the Division of Mental Health consistent with MHSA goals, guidelines, and requirements. The Steering Committee will: Effectively engage clients, changed to: Effectively and Respectfully engage clients, MEMBERSHIP The Steering Committee shall include members from the following stakeholder groups: Consumers (6) Law Enforcement (1) Family members (6) Cultural Competence (1) Consumer/Family Member at Large (1) Mental Health Board (1) Must be a consumer/family member Education (1) Probation (1) Health (1) Juvenile Courts (1) Mental Health Providers (3) One representing each: o Children s, o Adult, and o Older Adult Division of Behavioral Health Services (2) One representing each: o Alcohol and Drug Services, and o Mental Health 8/19/2010 2
Social Services (3) One representing each: o Adult Protective Services, o Child Protective Services, and o Department of Human Assistance Fifty-percent of Steering Committee members shall be mental health consumers or their family members, with a goal of filling 50% of those positions with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds. Stipends/gift cards will be available to family members and consumers asneeded. Each stakeholder group shall appoint a member and an alternate to represent their group. The Mental Health Director will serve as co-chair. The other co-chair will be a consumer/family member elected by the Steering Committee. The consumer/family member co-chair will serve a two-year term; a new co-chair will be selected from the Steering Committee at the conclusion of the co-chair s term. The County MHSA Program Manager or his or her designee will serve as the MHSA subject matter expert for the Steering Committee and will be called upon for information and guidance during meetings. Suggested additions: The Steering Committee shall include members from the following stakeholder groups: Spiritual Community (1) Veterans (1) Mental Health provider representatives shall be identified by the service provider by whom they are employed as well as by name. Co-chair positions shall be non-voting. Education (1) changed to Education (2) grade school through secondary school (1) community colleges / universities (1) Division of Behavioral Health Services (2) One representing each: o Alcohol and Drug Services, and o Mental Health changed to: Division of Behavioral Health Services (3) o Alcohol and Drug Services (1) o Mental Health (1) o Public Guardian/Conservator (1) Fifty-percent of Steering Committee members shall be mental health consumers or their family members, with a goal changed to: 8/19/2010 3
Fifty-percent of Steering Committee members shall be mental health consumers, not to include family members, with a goal The Mental Health Director will serve as co-chair. The other co-chair will be a consumer/family member elected by the Steering Committee. The consumer/family member co-chair will serve a two-year term; a new co-chair will be selected from the Steering Committee at the conclusion of the co-chair s term. changed to: Committee co-chairs will be elected by Steering Committee members. One co-chair will be a consumer/family member. Co-chairs will serve a two-year term; new co-chairs will be elected by Steering Committee members at the start of the following two-year term. The Mental Health Director will serve as co-chair. The other co-chair will be a consumer/family member elected by the Steering Committee. changed to: The Mental Health Director will serve as a standing member of the Committee. The Steering Committee will have two co-chairs who are elected by a majority of the Steering Committee. One of the Co-Chairs must be a consumer/family member. The Mental Health Director will serve as co-chair. The other co-chair will be a consumer/family member elected by the Steering Committee. The consumer/family member co-chair will serve a two-year term; a new co-chair will be selected from the Steering Committee at the conclusion of the co-chair s term. changed to: The Mental Health Director will serve on the committee. The co-chairs of the Steering Committee shall be elected by a majority of the members for two-year terms. One co-chair shall be a consumer/family member elected by the Steering Committee. The Mental Health Director will serve as co-chair. [text stricken] STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The roles and responsibilities of individual committee members shall be: 1. Adhere to the Steering Committee and Member roles and responsibilities. 2. Serve for a two year term. Individuals can serve multiple terms with a one-year break between terms. Approximately one-third of Steering Committee members will rotate off the committee each year. System partner representatives can serve multiple successive terms at the discretion of the system partner department head (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services). After completing their term, Steering Committee members are eligible to serve on the MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee. See MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee Guidelines below. 3. Alternates will have staggered two-year terms. Should the primary position become vacant and/or the alternate complete his or her term, the alternate can serve as the primary. At the completion of a two-year term, an alternate from a system partner may serve as a primary upon approval of the appointing body or organization. 4. When a Steering Committee member or alternate s status changes (e.g., the member s child or a transitional age youth Steering Committee member ages out) the member is allowed to serve out the year and reapply to represent another stakeholder group. 5. Devote the necessary time to fulfill Committee obligations. Read pre-meeting materials and come to meetings prepared to discuss and make decisions. 8/19/2010 4
6. Attend, at minimum, two-thirds of all Steering Committee meetings. Contact the division by telephone (916) 875-MHSA or via email MHSA@SacCounty.net to inform them when you will not be attending a meeting. 7. Ensure an alternate is available to attend meetings in your absence. It is the members responsibility to make sure the alternate is prepared for the meeting. 8. Actively seek out and represent the broadest needs and concerns of your constituents that reflect the diversity of our community. Regularly communicate Steering Committee updates and decisions to the stakeholders you represent. 9. Identify other stakeholders to participate in MHSA efforts (e.g., work groups and task forces). 10. Update Committee members on the status and changes occurring in your field of expertise. Suggested additions: Co-chairs shall receive training in facilitating meetings. The term limits of Steering Committee members will be clearly delineated in the minutes and member roster. 2. Serve for a two year term. Individuals can serve multiple terms with a one-year break between terms. Approximately one-third of Steering Committee members will rotate off the committee each year. System partner representatives can serve multiple successive terms at the discretion of the system partner department head (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services). After completing their term, Steering Committee members are eligible to serve on the MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee. See MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee Guidelines below. 3. Alternates will have staggered two-year terms. Should the primary position become vacant and/or the alternate complete his or her term, the alternate can serve as the primary. At the completion of a two-year term, an alternate from a system partner may serve as a primary upon approval of the appointing body or organization. changed to: 2. Serve for a two year term. Individuals can serve multiple terms with a one-year break between terms. [text stricken] System partner representatives can serve multiple successive terms at the discretion of the appointing party (e.g., Director, Department of Health and Human Services). 3. After completing their term, Steering Committee members are eligible to serve on the MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee, if available. See MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee Guidelines below. 4. Alternates serve staggered two-year terms. Should the primary position become vacant and/or the alternate complete his or her term, the alternate can serve as the primary. At the completion of a two-year term, an alternate from a system partner may serve as a primary upon approval of the appointing body or organization. 2. Serve for a two year term. Individuals can serve multiple terms with a one-year break between terms. Approximately one-third of Steering Committee members will rotate off the committee each year. System partner representatives can serve multiple successive terms at the discretion of the system partner department head (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services). After 8/19/2010 5
completing their term, Steering Committee members are eligible to serve on the MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee. See MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee Guidelines below. changed to: 2. Steering Committee Members will be selected based upon their proven leadership potential, relevant experience, and capability to contribute to the deliberations of the committee. 8. Actively seek out and represent the broadest needs and concerns of your constituents that reflect the diversity of our community. Regularly communicate Steering Committee updates and decisions to the stakeholders you represent. changed to: 8. Actively seek out and represent the broadest needs and concerns of your constituents that reflect the diversity of our community. Regularly communicate Steering Committee updates and decisions to stakeholders. 9. 10. Update Committee members on the status and changes occurring in your field of expertise. changed to: 10. Inform Committee members on the status and changes occurring in your field of expertise. STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING PROCESS GUIDELINES AND GROUND RULES The co-chairs are responsible for convening meetings, helping develop meeting agendas, and ensuring adherence to the process and DMH requirements. The meetings will start on time and end on time. Participants are asked to come to the meetings a few minutes ahead of time, prepared and ready to begin. Steering Committee members who miss three consecutive meetings or two-thirds of meetings over the course of six months may be removed from the committee. Extenuating circumstances will be considered and the co-chairs will make the final decision. Fifteen of the twenty-eight Steering Committee members/alternates must be present to hold a vote. Votes will be taken on Steering Committee items when a Steering Committee member has made a motion and that motion is seconded by another Steering Committee member. All Steering Committee members including co-chairs shall be entitled to vote at any Steering Committee meeting. A consumer/family member alternate may be asked (but is not required) to serve as an alternate for another stakeholder group if the primary or designated alternate is not present at a meeting. Alternates are permitted to vote at meetings when the primary representative from their stakeholder group is not present. When the primary representative from their stakeholder group is present, alternates are invited to speak during the public comment period. If the primary Steering Committee member is 15 minutes late to a meeting and their alternate is seated at the table, the alternate will remain at the table. Only named primary or alternate Steering Committee members can participate at a Steering Committee meeting. In the event that the primary or alternate will be unavailable for an extended period of time, they can request a leave of absence. Their appointing body or organization can identify a representative in their absence. 8/19/2010 6
Members will take responsibility for recusing themselves from voting if there is a conflict regarding a particular issue. Other members may politely point out a possible conflict that a member might not perceive, and the group will collaboratively decide whether a conflict exists. Decisions will be made by a simple majority. Votes will be taken by a show of voting paddles. A roll call vote will be taken as needed. The Steering Committee will use data to inform its decisions. The Steering Committee will consider workgroup analysis and recommendations when making decisions. Decisions will not be revisited due to the absence of a member. Meetings minutes will be taken by MHSA staff. MHSA staff will strive to e-mail the minutes to Steering Committee members and alternates one week after the meeting. All minutes and documents discussed at Steering Committee meetings will also be posted to the MHSA website at http://www.sacdhhs.com/default.asp?woid=mha. Suggested additions: There shall be a 5 member Administration Committee. Three members shall be elected by the Steering Committee members. The co-chairs shall also be members. The Administration Committee shall develop meeting agenda items. Steering Committee Members may have items placed on the agenda with agreement of a majority of the members present or by agreement of the Administration Committtee. Meetings shall be governed by Robert s Rules of Order. Steering Committee members may request presentations by guest speakers/subject experts to enhance their understanding of MHSA-related subjects. Steering Committee members who miss three consecutive meetings or two-thirds of meetings over the course of six months may be removed from the committee. Extenuating circumstances will be considered and the co-chairs will make the final decision. changed to: Steering Committee members who miss three consecutive meetings or two-thirds of meetings over the course of six months may be removed from the committee. The stakeholder group that appointed the member will be notified by the co-chairs and after considering any extenuating circumstances will make the final decision. Members will take responsibility for recusing themselves from voting if there is a conflict regarding a particular issue. Other members may politely point out a possible conflict that a member might not perceive, and the group will collaboratively decide whether a conflict exists. changed to: Members will receive training in identifying conflicts of interest and will take responsibility for recusing themselves from voting if there is a conflict regarding a particular issue. Other members may politely point out a possible conflict that a member might not perceive, and the group will collaboratively decide whether a conflict exists. STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE The Steering Committee will determine its meeting schedule based on workload demands. 8/19/2010 7
Arrangements for an interpreter, translation or reasonable accommodations will be made as needed for each meeting. Requests should be submitted to the Division of Mental Health one week prior to the meeting. N/A MHSA CONSUMER AND FAMILY MEMBER SELECTION COMMITTEE GUIDELINES The MHSA Consumer and Family Member Selection Committee is responsible for recruiting and selecting consumer and family members to serve as Steering Committee members and alternates. The Selection Committee shall be comprised of one representative from each of the following entities: o County Cultural Competence Committee o Mental Health America of Northern California o Sacramento County Mental Health Board o Consumer Wellness o Family Advocates Committee o National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Sacramento affiliate o A seventh member, reflecting the cultural diversity of the community, shall also serve on the Selection Committee. Should one of the aforementioned organizations go out of existence or choose not to participate, the Selection Committee Chair will request recommendations for other organizations from the Steering Committee. The Selection Committee will engage in outreach efforts to recruit consumer and family member Steering Committee candidates representing a broad range of stakeholder groups (e.g., treatment center, providers, consumers outside of the county mental health system, and representatives for consumers in all stages of recovery). The Selection Committee will help consumer and family member Steering Committee members be effective contributors to the MHSA process through education and other activities. Selection Committee members shall recuse themselves when the committee is considering someone from their agency or organization for membership to the committee. Suggested additions: The Selection Committee shall be comprised of one representative from each of the following entities: o Former Steering Committee Member o Consumer Wellness changed to: o Consumers Self Help Center The Selection Committee will engage in outreach efforts to recruit consumer and family member Steering Committee candidates representing a broad range of stakeholder groups (e.g., treatment center, providers, consumers outside of the county mental health system, and representatives for consumers in all stages of recovery). changed to: 8/19/2010 8
The Selection Committee will engage in outreach efforts to recruit consumer and family member Steering Committee candidates from a broad range of stakeholder groups throughout the community (e.g., consumers from acute care facilities, subacute care facilities, and outpatient settings both public and private) to obtain representatives for consumers in all stages of recovery). o A seventh member, reflecting the cultural diversity of the community, shall also serve on the Selection Committee. changed to: o A seventh member, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity from historically underserved and unserved communities, shall also serve on the Selection Committee. o o A seventh member, reflecting the cultural diversity of the community, shall also serve on the Selection Committee. changed to: Member at Large 8/19/2010 9