Chapter 2.68 — MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, adopted December 21, 2021, amended Chapter 2.68 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 2.68, §§ 2.68.010—2.68.080, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from prior admin. code §§ 5-19.01—5-19.08.

There is in the county a mental health advisory board, hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the advisory board, the members of which shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

The advisory board consists of sixteen (16) members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

A.

Each member of the advisory board shall be an elector of the county.

B.

One member of the advisory board shall be the president of the Board of Supervisors or the president's designee.

C.

Fifty (50) percent of the advisory board membership shall be consumers, or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of consumers, who are receiving or have received mental health services.

D.

At least twenty (20) percent of the total membership shall be consumers, and at least twenty (20) percent shall be families of consumers.

E.

The advisory board membership should reflect the diversity of the client population in the county to the extent possible, and represent all geographic regions in the county and their demographics.

F.

The Board of Supervisors is encouraged to appoint individuals who have experience with and knowledge of the mental health system. This may include members of the community that engage with individuals living with mental illness in the course of daily operations, such as representatives of county offices of education, large and small businesses, hospitals, hospital districts, physicians practicing in emergency departments, city police chiefs, county sheriffs, and community and nonprofit service providers.

G.

If prior to the expiration of a term of appointment a member ceases to retain the status which qualified such member for appointment to the advisory board, such membership shall terminate and there shall be a vacancy.

H.

No member of the advisory board or their spouse shall be a full-time or part-time employee of the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, an employee of the State Department of Health Care Services, or an employee of, or a paid member of the governing body of, a county-contracted mental health organization.

I.

A consumer of mental health services who has obtained employment with an employer described in Section 2.68.030(H) and who holds a position in which the consumer does not have any interest, influence, or authority over any financial or contractual matter concerning the employer may be appointed to the advisory board. The member shall abstain from voting on any financial or contractual issue concerning the member's employer that may come before the advisory board.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

The term of each non-ex officio member of the advisory board is three years, provided, however, that terms shall be so arranged, insofar as possible, that approximately one-third of the terms expire each year. The appointment of any member shall designate the expiration date of that member's term. The Board of Supervisors may reappoint any member whose term of office has expired or may appoint another qualified person to succeed any member whose term has expired. Any vacancies on the advisory board shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Supervisors. All appointments shall be for a period of three years except that appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be for the unfilled duration of that term.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

The members of the advisory board shall elect one of their members as chairperson who shall serve as chairperson for two years and who shall preside at meetings of the advisory board and perform such other duties as are prescribed by such board. A quorum shall consist of one person more than one-half of the total number of appointed members. A quorum must be present to transact the business of the advisory board and no act of the advisory board shall be valid or binding unless a majority of the members present at such meeting concur therein.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

In cases of misconduct, inability or willful neglect in the performance of an advisory board member's duties, such member may be removed by the affirmative vote of four members of the Board of Supervisors. Such advisory board member sought to be removed shall be given an opportunity to be heard in their own defense at a public hearing, and shall have the right to appear by counsel and to have process issued to compel the attendance of witnesses, who shall be required to give testimony, if such member of the advisory board so requests. A full and complete statement of the reasons for such removal, if such member be removed, together with the findings of fact made by the Board of Supervisors, shall be filed by the Board of Supervisors, with the county clerk and made a matter of public record.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

The advisory board shall perform advisory functions in all matters relating to mental health services, pursuant to Section 5604.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which sets forth this advisory board shall:

A.

Review and evaluate the community's public mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems in any facility within the county where mental health evaluations or services are being provided, including, but not limited to, schools, emergency departments, and psychiatric facilities.

B.

Review any county agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and make recommendations regarding concerns identified within those agreements.

C.

Advise the Board of Supervisors and the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Director as to any aspect of the local mental health program. The advisory board may request assistance from the local patients' rights advocates when reviewing and advising on mental health evaluations or services provided in public facilities with limited access.

D.

Review and approve the procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process. Involvement shall include individuals with lived experience of mental illness and their families, community members, advocacy organizations, and mental health professionals. It shall also include other professionals that interact with individuals living with mental illnesses on a daily basis, such as education, emergency services, employment, health care, housing, law enforcement, local business owners, social services, seniors, transportation, and veterans.

E.

Submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the needs and performance of the county's mental health system.

F.

Recommend to the Board of Supervisors individuals that may be considered for appointment as an advisory board member.

G.

Review and make recommendations on applicants for the appointment of the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Director. The advisory board shall be included in the selection process prior to the vote of the Board of Supervisors.

H.

Review and comment on the county's performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the California Behavioral Health Planning Council.

I.

Assess the impact of the realignment of services from the state to the county on services delivered to clients and on the local community.

J.

Perform such additional duties as may be assigned to the advisory board by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)

The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation. The Board of Supervisors may pay from any available funds the actual and necessary expenses of the members of the advisory board incident to the performance of their official duties and functions. The expenses of advisory board members may include travel, lodging, childcare, and meals for members while on official business as approved by the Behavioral Health Care Services Director and the advisory board, except that expenses related to travel outside of the Bay Area counties must be authorized by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 2021-55, § 1, 12-21-21)