Advocacy

Elevating important issues to bring about needed change often requires advocacy efforts.  In addition to advising the Board of Supervisors and Mental/Behavioral Health Director regarding the mental/behavioral health needs of the community, board/commission members want to make a difference, and know that their recommendations are heard and appropriate action is taken. Note:  “Advocacy” is not one of the defined duties in Welfare and Institution Code 5604.2, although it is often listed in local boards’ action/annual plans and mission statements. 

The Rules

1. Board/Commission Bylaws/Policies
   1. Processes:  Use processes that provide opportunity for identifying and understanding issues, including discussion and board/commission approval of recommendations.
   2. Mission:  Stay within your board’s mission.  Issues should be related to mental/behavioral health needs, services, facilities, and special problems.
2. The Brown Act – As a public board, it is important to use open and public processes to discover issues important to the community.   

The Tools

Create allies and relationships as you research and identify recommendations.

1. Mental/Behavioral Health Director:  Often upon hearing about an issue, the Mental/Behavioral Health Director may direct his/her staff to take action, and will provide follow-up reports at board/commission meetings.
2. Speakers/Joint Meetings – Board leadership may invite related speaker(s) and/or commission(s) to board/commission meetings. Note:  The Mental/Behavioral Health Director or County Supervisor can often provide advice/connections.
3. Ad Hoc Committees (Work Groups) – Board leadership may choose to create an ad hoc committee for issues that require research:
   1. Conduct small group discussions (“Listening Sessions”) to receive consumer/family member input.  Personal stories around an issue provide valuable first-hand experience and ideas for improvement. Examples of venues for these discussions:  Adult Resource Centers, Support Groups or NAMI meetings.
   2. Conduct research through:
      1. Meetings with Staff (County, City); County/City/School District/Law Enforcement/Commission Leaders; Contractors; Outside Counties that have solutions
      2. Review pertinent CA Behavioral Health Planning Council Data Notebooks: 
   3. Create a report detailing:  1) Issue; 2) Research; and 3) Recommendations.  (Include a concise Executive Summary.)
   4. Create a letter of recommendation to the Board of Supervisors (for approval by the board).
4. Communication:  Board Leadership should take the lead:
   1. Invite interested local advocacy groups, community leaders, boards, contractors and staff to your Mental/Behavioral Health Board meeting when the report or recommendation letter is discussed/presented.
   2. Presentations to Board of Supervisors (local Governing Body) and/or other local commissions
   3. Letters to the Editor of the local newspaper.
   4. For issues identified to be statewide issues, provide the report to:
      1. CA Association of Behavioral Health Boards & Commissions
      2. CA Behavioral Health Planning Council
   5. Include the report/recommendation in your Annual Report.

Addressing Board of Supervisors and City Councils

Tips on addressing local leaders

1. Come in Force - Bring board-members and allies
2. Be prepared and be brief - Understand issue/project
3. Well-informed board member or chair should speak.
4. Bring a "One Pager" summarizing reasons for support
5. Quantify the Impact - Financial and Social
6. Provide evidence of success in other communities
7. Include a story of personal impact
8. Ask BOS or City Council to vote in support of item

Personal Impact

Supportive Housing:​  ​Speak-Up! Storytelling - Empowerment - Leadership - Engagement, Corporation for Supportive Housing​

Success Stories

Increasing Tax Revenue for Mental Health Services was a success in Mendocino County, to the tune of $35 Million over 5 years. Link to article. 2018