Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

Standing Committees are required advisory groups involving people receiving services and others not employed by the department of Mental Health or the local designated Mental Health Agency.

The Standing Committee is responsible for participating in the development of the state system of care plan and in the agency designation process, and for advising the Division on performance with respect to seven key areas. Members are Governor appointed through recommendations from the Department. There is a required minimum number of 7 members for the State Program Standing Committee. A majority of the members must be individuals who are willing to disclose the fact that they are consumers of services offered by the program or a member of a consumer’s family. There are no requirements for the composition of the remaining committee members.

The 3 populations funded and advised by these standing committees are:

1. Children and adolescents with a severe emotional disturbance
2. Adults with a severe and persistent mental illness.
3. Persons with developmental disabilities

Local/Regional Standing Committees

Each region has these 3 standing committees. A majority of the members must be individuals who are willing to disclose the fact that they are consumers of services offered by the program or a member of a consumer’s family.

State Standing Committees

The purpose of the State Program Standing Committee is to involve people receiving services and others not employed by the Division in..

• reviewing agency-specific performance
• planning
• decision-making regarding policy

The Standing Committee is responsible for participating in the development of the state system of care plan and in the agency designation process, and for advising the Division on performance with respect to seven key areas. Members are Governor appointed through recommendations from the Department. There is a required minimum number of 7 members for the State Program Standing Committee. A majority of the members must be individuals who are willing to disclose the fact that they are consumers of services offered by the program or a member of a consumer’s family. There are no requirements for the composition of the remaining committee members.