Behavioral Health Oversight Commission

Legislative Bill 1083, the Nebraska Behavioral Health Systems Act, was signed into law in 2004. LB 1083 envisioned and mandated the provision of behavioral health services closer to home, family, and support services, and in the least restrictive setting. In addition, the Behavioral Health Oversight Commission was created as part of the Act and charged with overseeing and supporting the implementation of LB 1083.

Commission members were appointed in June 2004 and meet regularly over the previous four years. Pursuant to the statute, the Oversight Commission expired on June 30, 2008. A final summary report, findings, and recommendations of the Behavioral Health Oversight Commission was completed as part of the original Oversight Commissions work for distribution to the Health and Human Services Committee of the Legislature and the Legislature as a whole.

The report lists accomplishments to date, reports findings, and includes fourteen recommendations citing that many of the goals and responsibilities set out in LB 1083 have not been accomplished.

A new, 12-member Oversight Commission convened in July 2008 and will operate under the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health for a one year period. Members of the new commission include:

• TyLynne Bauer, Representative from the Norfolk Regional Center
• Beth Baxter, Region III Behavioral Health Administrator
• Dr. Brad Bigelow, Representative of Providers of Behavioral Health Services
• Jim Egley, Representative from Norfolk
• Bill Gibson, Representative from the Lincoln Regional Center
• Rhonda Hawks, Consumer Advocate
• Mary Hepburn-O’Shea, Representative of Providers of Behavioral Health Services
• J. Rock Johnson, Consumer Representative
• Patti Jurjevich, Region VI Behavioral Health Administrator
• Joe Patterson, Representative from Hastings
• Kathy Seacrest, Region II Behavioral Health Administrator
• Pete Tulipana, Representative of Providers of Behavioral Health Services

Future meetings of the newly formed Behavioral Health Oversight Commission are scheduled for:

• October 1, 2008
• December 9, 2008
• February 2, 2009
• April 1, 2009
• June 10, 2009

More information about the Commission including meeting agendas and minutes can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services website at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/Behavioral_Health/BHcommission/.

Click here to download the final report of the original Behavioral Health Oversight Commission.