Citizens’ Advisory Council

Lauren Emmons, ACSW

Program Facilitator

Purpose:

The purpose of the LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council is to advise the Lapeer County Community Mental Health Services Board regarding its administration, programs, and services.  The comments and recommendations of the Council are strictly advisory and shall not be interpreted as executive in nature.  The Lapeer County Community Mental Health Services Board of Directors is not bound by the advisories provided by the CAC.  The LCCMHSB has established the CAC as an entity to review local and Region 10 programs and to assist the LCCMHSB by providing information so that informed decisions can be made effectively and efficiently.

Membership:

The LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council shall consist of twelve members who are residents of Lapeer County.  The Council will be made up primarily of persons served by mental health services and their families.  Members shall be recruited to represent sectors of the person-served community so that persons with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders will be represented.  Members shall also be recruited form service sites and the community in both verbal and/or written forms.  Family members and non-consumer general community representatives may also be recruited and may be appointed to serve on the Council.

Council members should be appointed to represent various CMH programs.  Programs represented may include the following (however, this list is not intended to exclude other programs):

            Assertive Community Treatment Program

            Case Management-Group Home/Residential

            Case Management-Independent Living

            Children’s Services

            Employment/Jobs/Growth and Opportunity/Teamwork

            Golden Arrow Drop In Center

            Harmony Hall

            Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT)

            Stepping Stone

            Members of the general community

Members of the LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the Lapeer County Community Mental Health Services Board.  At the discretion of the LCCMHSB, CAC members may be eligible for one reappointment at the end of their first term of service (for a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms).

The LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council membership elects officers consisting of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary.  The Chairperson will preside at regular CAC meetings.  In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson will conduct the meetings.  In the absence of the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson, the Secretary will conduct the meeting. 

Guidelines:

Program representatives will be expected to be available to discuss concerns of other program participants.

Program representatives will be expected to provide reports and feedback from their program and other program participants of the Citizens’ Advisory Council meetings. 

The LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council will operate under Roberts Rules of Order as amended.

The Council will review and study various issues, and provide advisory recommendations to the Lapeer County Community Mental Health Services Board when requested to do so.  From time to time, the LCCMHSB may request written recommendations and/or advise from the Council through the LCCMH CEO and /or his designee.

The LCCMH Citizens’ Advisory Council may also advise the Board of the Region 10 Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) through its Chief Operating Officer or his designee.

The CAC will adopt the State’s CMH initiatives which include but are not limited to:

Person-centered planning

Self-determination

Treatment in the least restrictive setting

Family preservation

Anti-stigma and treatment with dignity and respect

Evidence-based practices

Recovery and empowerment

The CAC understands and respects the concept that services and programs can only be initiated, offered, and sustained when financial resources are available.

As a public body, the CAC shall abide by the rules and regulations of Public Act 267 of 1976 (MCL 15.261, MESA 4.1800) which includes matters relative to the Open Meetings Act.