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Duties of Local Boards & Commissions

Mental Health Related Duties

From California Welfare & Institution Code 5604.2(a) 
​Items in bold reflect October 2019 CA legislative update.
 
The local mental health board shall do all of the following: 

1. Review and evaluate the community’s public  mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems in any facility within the county or jurisdiction where mental health evaluations or services are being provided, including, but not limited to, schools, emergency departments, and psychiatric facilities. 
2. Review any county agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650. The local mental health board may make recommendations to the governing body regarding concerns identified within these agreements. 
3. Advise the governing body and the local mental health director as to any aspect of the local mental health program. Local mental health boards 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.
4. 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. 
5. Submit an annual report to the governing body on the needs and performance of the county's mental health system.
6. Review and make recommendations on applicants for the appointment of a local director of mental health services. The board shall be included in the selection process prior to the vote of the governing body.
7. Review and comment on the county's performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the California Behavioral Health Planning Council.
8. This part does not limit the ability of the governing body to transfer additional duties or authority to a mental health board.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, as part of its duties pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall assess the impact of the realignment of services from the state to the county, on services delivered to clients and on the local community.

In addition, pursuant to W&I Code Section 5848, the local mental health board conducts a public hearing on the county's MHSA Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan and Annual Update.


Mental Health Director: Duties related to Mental Health Board -- WIC Section 5608 (c) Recommend to the governing body, after consultation with the advisory board, the provision of services, establishment of facilities, contracting for services or facilities and other matters necessary or desirable in accomplishing the purposes of this division.

Drug & Alcohol Related Duties

​Many California counties now have boards that have integrated Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug Boards.  Scroll down for duties historically addressed by Alcohol & Drug Boards.

Special Notes:

D & A Boards are Optional: 
​Each county may have an advisory board on alcohol and other drug problems appointed by the board of supervisors. The advisory board may be  independent, be under the jurisdiction of another health-related or human services advisory board established pursuant to any provision of state law, or have the same membership as that other advisory board. 

CA Health and Safety Code - HSC Division 10.5, Part 2, Chapter 4, Article 3. County Advisory Board Section 11805

Separate Alcohol Agenda:
Advisory boards composed of the same members as another health-related advisory board shall conduct the alcohol portion of the meeting separately from the other portion of the meeting and shall develop a separate alcohol agenda.

​CA Health and Safety Code Section 11836, 11805(c) 9 CCR § 9406, 9 CA ADC § 9406

Duties

1. Advise the Board of Supervisors, the local Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Behavioral Health Services, and/or the Alcohol and Drug Services unit on policies and goals of County alcohol and drug programs.
2. Participate in the county-wide alcohol and drug program planning process.
3. Provide recommendations regarding alcohol and drug program related matters.
4. Review the scope of alcohol and drug programs in County-funded agencies/departments and the community at large.
5. Evaluate the community’s alcohol and drug program needs, services, facilities, and special programs.
6. Encourage and educate the public to understand the nature and impact of alcohol and drug problems.
7. Promote support throughout the County for the development and implementation of effective alcohol and drug programs.
8. Ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the process leading to the formation and adoption of the County alcohol and drug program plans.