State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services

The State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services was created as part of Legislative Bill 1083, the Nebraska Behavioral Health Systems Act. Replacing the Mental Health Planning and Evaluation Council that ceased on July 1, 2004, the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services is a 23 member board appointed by the Governor and regional behavioral health authorities. The Committee was created to provide advice and assistance to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health related to the provision of mental health services in the State of Nebraska.

Members of the Committee are to have a demonstrated interest, commitment, and specialized knowledge, experience, or expertise relating to the provision of mental health services in the State of Nebraska. Membership consists of:

• One regional governing board member
• One regional administrator
• Twelve consumers of behavioral health services or their family members
• Two providers of behavioral health services
• Two representatives from the State Department of Education, including one representative from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the State Department of Education
• Three representatives from the Nebraska Health and Human Services System representing mental health, social services, and Medicaid
• One representative from the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
• One representative from the Housing Office of the Community and Rural Development Division of the Department of Economic Development

The Committee is responsible to the Division of Behavioral Health and serves as the state's mental health planning council. Members aid the Division in the development, implementation, provision, and funding of organized peer support services, promote the interests of consumers and their families to the Division, provide reports as requested by the Division, and engage in other activities as directed or authorized by the Division.

Those interested in participating on the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services should complete an Application for Executive Appointment.

For more information on the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services including meeting agendas and minutes, please visit www.dhhs.ne.gov/beh/mh/sacmhs.htm.